Crimson Sea 2

"A repetitive but otherwise great game"

KOEI are not ones to be that creative or original. Once they have found a successful formula, they use it as often as possible. It is this mentality that has lead to Dynasty and Samurai Warriors. And they have also created Crimson Sea, a series that is, in basic terms, Dynasty Warriors in space. Not that there's anything wrong with that. After all, if it ain't broke...

The plot of the game tells of humanity's struggle against the evil Menace, an alien race that is bent on destroying all life except their own. Humanity is on the brink of extinction. This is where you come in. As either Sho or Feanay (two super-humans), you embark on dangerous missions to repel the Menace and ultimately save humanity from extinction.

The graphics are exactly what you would expect of a Dynasty Warriors clone - basic but vast levels, simplistic enemy design and good character models. The game doesn't break the mould. The landscapes are pretty basic, but generally more detailed and interesting than a Warriors game. The enemy design uses simplistic textures, but the overall design is surprisingly varied. Character models are pretty good, but the standout graphical feature is the boss design. Each boss is colossal, unique and put together very well, and the artistic flair is apparent.

Gameplay, like the graphics is essentially the same as Dynasty Warriors, and comprises one basic action - kill everything that moves and some things that don't. Only this time, you use various guns, which can be changed at will. As well as this you have special attacks, which are quite fun and visually interesting. The are numerous RPG elements as well, such as earning money to buy new equipment, as well as obtaining "origins", which power up your attacks and weapons. These features don't really set it aside from Dynasty Warriors, but are interesting additions that do work. The missions have a little variety, usually in the form of special restrictions, but can become too repetitive. Even the bosses only require endless shooting,as such while the gameplay is good, it may be too repetitive too provide a long term challenge.

On the whole, the sound is pretty good as well. The musical score is full of rousing, epic moments as well as the fast paced rock music that has been present in many KOEI games. The resulting mix is fitting and original and capture the situation well. There is some use of voice acting, but it isn't used in large amounts, instead Crimson Sea 2 relies on simple text to give the story. What there is is quite good. Nothing spectacular, mind but nothing wrong with it either. The sound effects are pretty repetitive and you will eventually tire of them, but they are alright. Again, they're nothing to write home about, nut they do fit the action

Overall, this game is perfect for Dynasty Warriors fans who want something a little different but are unwilling to stray too far away. As for other players, it may be best to try and rent it first, as while there is a quality game here, the repetitive nature of blasting aliens with abandon is not for everyone.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/26/07