Samurai Warriors 2

"KOEI I thank you"

Topic 1: Why I like it!

When this game was originally announced too many people got their hopes up. They all expected it to be some new wave hack and slash from KOEI and when it came out it was just like the previous Samurai and Dynasty games. I loved this game. I love KOEI. I also love the hack and slash genre. This game takes me back to the what seemed like endless days of playing Dynasty Warriors 3 trying to unlock every single character and maxing them all out stat wise. If you love the old KOEI games then you will love this one.

I bought this game the day it came out and popped it in the second I got home. I first selected Mitsunari since I wanted to try a new character. He is now currently my favorite. The next thing I did was play as Fuuma. He personally is a disappointment to me. I'm glad that I already had SW1 saves on my memory card so I didn't have to use him to unlock Hanzo. Some other favorite characters of mine are; Ranmaru, Masamune, Hideyoshi, Naoe, and Azai.

Topic 2: Why you will like it!

This Samurai Warriors gives every character two special attacks. To preform these you have to hold down R1 and either Triangle or Square. An example of one would be that Sanada gets to summon his horse next to side. Another example is that Hanzo gets to create multiple versions of himself. A lot of these moves are very helpful in battle and are a welcome addition to this game.

Another good thing about SW2 is that all the new characters don't suck! Well ok Fuuma does and he even got on the cover *groan*. But all the rest are great characters that play very well. They even took out some of the crappier characters of SW1 and SW1XL. You aren't gonna see Goemon or Imagawa anymore. (Kunoichi didn't suck but we get her replaced in Nene)

Topic 3: What they could have done better with.

The missions are now not as important as in the first one. You don't get to check the ones you have completed. Some of you might actually like this change but I personally didn't

Ranmaru and Okuni are a pain to get this time around. You have to play a ways into survival mode to get Ranmaru. It gets very tedious believe me. Okuni is unlocked via Sugoroku which is a very bad version of Monopoly. Not many people enjoy this game, but I guess its all good since Okuni isn't liked by many either. Plus Okuni and Ranmaru don't have story modes which I believe they should have.

Conclusion: 9/10

Go buy it now.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/06/06