KOEI’s
been hammering out games and spin-offs for their Dynasty Warriors series for
years now. Dynasty Warriors 2 seems to be the title that set off the tangent
that the series is on, as each subsequent release has been derived from the
formula offered in that game, namely dozens of on-screen enemies and plenty of
running around and button-mashing. Unfortunately, this formula hasn’t really
gone anywhere since the series began, and though several different franchise
spin-offs and systems have been home to the series, they’ve all fallen into the
same redundant rut.
Therefore,
it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Samurai Warriors 2 Empires is in many ways
the exact same game you’ve been playing for years now. Although it does feature
some strategy elements to break up the monotonous one-button attack combat, most
of what’s here is still more of the same. If you haven’t been a fan of the
series up until now, then Samurai Warriors 2 Empires certainly won’t change your
mind.
The point
behind the Samurai (and Dynasty) Warriors franchise is to put the player in
actual battles that took place in medieval Japan. You lead your troops against
many opponents, hacking and slashing your way through enemy infantry and working
your way across the battlefield, killing generals and other leaders.
Most of
the action involves just that. There’s a whole lot of running around and going
back and forth between points on the map, as you assist your other generals who
may be in need of assistance or snuff out an opposing leader. The combat is very
simplistic, involving little more than tapping the X Button rapidly in order to
get your character to perform rudimentary combos.
The real
mitigating factor behind the game (and the reason why it has the “Empires”
moniker) is the strategy elements. You can access strategy options that will
enable you to configure your assault before it begins (or during it, for that
matter). You can pick out fiefs, generals, lieutenants, and a variety of other
characters that you’ll want on the battlefield. You can also impose conditions
on the overall battle, including time limits the amount of allotted officer
deaths. The game seems to offer a robust system of customizations that you can
use to set up your distinct plan of attack.
Unfortunately, that feels all but lost once the actual combat comes in an the
strategy system comes crumbling down, replaced with button-mashing and running
from point A to point B. Repetition is a problem that the series has experienced
since the early days, ironically.
Graphically, the game won’t impress you very much. Aside from the HD
resolutions, you’ll be hard-pressed to consider this a next-gen title, as it
looks almost exactly like the PS2 version, complete with lousy issues like
draw-in and weak textures. The game moves along at a pretty good framerate, but
that’s unfortunately all it really has to offer on the visual side of things.
The sound
doesn’t fare much better. The voice acting and script are pretty ridiculous and
borderline laughable at times, and the techno/Japanese traditional music feels
pretty out of place and distracting.
So,
Samurai Warriors 2 Empires is another Samurai Warriors game. Which is to say
that it’s another Dynasty Warriors game, and that’s pretty much all you can say
about it. The joy you can derive from playing it ultimately stems from your own
tolerance in buying the exact same game over and over again.
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Gameplay: 6.0
While the Empires
moniker denotes some degree of strategy elements, most of the game falls into
the same ol’ button-mashing repetition. You fight large groups of enemies,
occasionally killing off a leader, and so on. Basically, this is the same game
you’ve been playing for years.
Graphics: 6.0
The game has all the
requisite boosts, like high-definition resolutions, but otherwise isn’t much
different from the PS2 version. Noticeable draw-in and some murky textures don’t
really scream out “next-gen”.
Sound: 6.0
The voice acting and
dialogue feels pretty stiff, and the weird techno-esque music intermixed with
Japanese traditional feels like something that should be in a spy movie more
than Samurai Warriors 2 Empires.
Difficulty: Medium
Multiplayer: 5.5
Two-player split
screen co-op but no online play.
Concept: 4.5
KOEI seriously
needs to come up with something new for the series.
Overall: 5.5
Samurai Warriors
2 Empires is yet another non-distinct entry in the series.
