Dynasty Warriors 5 – PS2 – Review

Time flies when you’re having fun,
and few things are more fun than videogames. It doesn’t seem like that long ago
that KOEI released Dynasty Warriors 2. At that time, each day was a struggle to
see how much time I could steal away to play through the different PS2 launch
games. Whether it was skipping class (which I am now highly opposed to!), or
locking myself in the basement with a few friends and a handful of games, I
wouldn’t trade those days and hours playing Dynasty Warriors 2 and Smugglers Run
for anything. Now, here I am five years later, locked away within my bedroom
with three Dominoes’ pizzas and a game three generations the successor to an old
favorite.

Dynasty Warriors is known for it’s
amazing hack ‘n slash action. Unfortunately, the games’ greatest feature is also
its number one drawback. Pressing the square button, intermixed with the
occasion triangle gets old surprisingly fast. What I want out of my game is a
more fine-tuned fighting system; one that allows for me to hone my skills while
taking advantage of unique and personal tactics. With that being said, the game
does make up for its meticulous gameplay through the implementation of various
features. The most enjoyable feature, though it’s been in the series for a
while, is the ability to play with a friend. Another feature is the heroes and
their bodyguard’s ability to level up. It’s almost as if the game is an RPG, but
not quite. Had that been the case, I would have hoped for a better story.

As for the game’s progression, an
RPG-like setup has been implemented to ensure your characters development. Much
like leveling up, your character will gain experience from battle based upon
their performance. The greater your feat in battle, the more points you’ll be
awarded. As your character reaches a specified number of points, their rank will
increase as will that character’s particular attributes. Just so, your equipped
bodyguard can level up in the same manner. Before each battle, you will be given
in the opportunity to view a preparation menu. In this menu you can select a
bodyguard to assist you in battle, change out your weapon, and equip special
items. In many ways, leveling up your bodyguard can be just as addicting as
leveling up your main character. As their rank increases, their stats rise, and
new abilities become available. New bodyguards can be obtained through the
completion of tasks within the game. As well, new items and weapons can be found
by braking crates when playing in both Musou and Free mode. Unfortunately,
limits have been put into place, allowing each character a specified number of
items, and only four weapons; a definite drawback for those of us who enjoy
collecting.

Dynasty Warriors 5 offers a variety
of modes. The games’ main mode, also its most entertaining, is Musou Mode.
Simply put, it’s a story mode that’s built around a sequence of stages and a
boring, poorly illustrated story. Free Mode is a mode in which characters can be
played to train their abilities and attributes. Both weapons and experience can
be gained in Free Mode. If you’re having a problem with one of the game’s
current stages in Musou Mode, playing Free Mode to level up your character might
not be a bad idea. Challenge Mode can be fun, just because it tells you how good
(or in some cases bad) of a player you are. After completing specified
requirements within a given time period, you will be supplied a password, which
in turn can be submitted on the Internet allowing you to compare your
accomplishments with that of others.

Of course every game offers its
good, bad and ugly. When playing a game that relies solely on button mashing,
the player needs to know where his enemies are. This is simply to allow
the character to face in the right direction when pulverizing the keypad. In
short, the game’s camera is a huge let-down. There’s nothing more annoying that
attempting to whack an opponent, but having no idea where he’s at. Knock them
away, and you’re fine. Knock them toward the camera, and you’ll be swinging
blind, hoping that they get in your way before you get in theirs.

In the end, Dynasty Warriors 5 is an
all right game. Though the titles tend to lack innovation, KOEI continues to
release them as if on a yearly schedule. The game’s graphics are impressive,
even if they are nothing phenomenal. If you are a fan of the game’s
predecessors, then DW5 is right up your alley, and you won’t be disappointed.
Also, if you’re looking for a good way to spend the afternoon, DW5 is definitely
worth a rental. Besides, there’s always the possibility that you’ll learn
something of Chinese History!

Review Scoring Details for Dynasty Warriors 5

Gameplay: 7.5
Revolutionary? No… Expected? Eh, I’d hoped so
… Enjoyable? Yes.

It
may be a little tedious, and in some places meticulous, but ultimately the game
is enjoyable. Don’t sit down to play it if you’re looking for something
tactical. Dynasty Warriors 5 pits you against a horde of enemies, all of whom
you can take on by yourself. If you can mash the square button (Normal Attack),
throw in the occasional triangle (Power Attack), along with the sporadic circle
(Special Attack), you’ll do fine. In fact, you’ll likely do so well with this
tactic that you’ll get a promotion in rank.

Graphics:
7.8
As far as the game’s graphics are
concerned; you’ll be getting pretty much the same thing you got in DW4. What
with releasing a new installment in the series yearly, KOEI can hardly be
expected to change that much. The character models and environment are pretty
impressive. Especially when you take into account the sheer number of models
that can be present at one time. Alas, with so many highly detailed models,
comes the eventual, inevitable slowdown.

Sound: 7.0
The game’s sound
track and music selection are pretty much what you’ve come to expect from the
Dynasty Warriors series. An almost rock-style music will sometimes
accompany the menus and battle, but the more dominant and memorable is the
oriental-themed music.

Difficulty: Medium
How hard is it to
press the square button? That’s about all the game really calls for. Of course
you can be tactical, and try to throw in the occasional triangle and
circle buttons, but even that’s not really necessary. Depending on how blunt of
a player you are, you might find yourself running ahead of your army. In most
situations this isn’t an advisable tactic, but it can be worked out. Jump
around, and the majority of the opponents who swing at you will miss. Meanwhile,
your Musou bar (special attack bar) will fill up, giving you another chance to
annihilate your nearby foes.

Concept: 7.0
It’s been done,
as least four times before. Of course I love the implementation of the Chinese
history, but I doubt that that aspect will captivate much of a crowd. On a side
note, being able to level up your different heroes and bodyguards can be
surprisingly addicting. Sit down for an hour, and you may find yourself seated
for four.

Multiplayer: 7.5
Of course the
game is more fun when played with a friend, but the truth is, it doesn’t
really matter. Most likely you’ll both be contributing your efforts to different
battlefronts. Sure, comparing kill counts is fun, it’s almost as if you’re doing
something other than rapidly pressing square. Your Musou (Special Attacks) can
be combined into a more powerful attack, but aside from that, playing with a
friend in no way changes the feel of the game.

Overall: 7.5
Dynasty Warriors
is an enjoyable game. Its graphics and music are pretty much the same as the
last one, but that’s to be expected with back-to-back sequels. As well, the game
is no way lacking button mashing. If you have a little pent up anger, or are
just tired of thinking and want to take a break from what’s going on around you,
Dynasty Warriors 5 will be just what you’re looking for.