Dynasty Tactics 2

"A game of true strategy. Show Zhuge Liang you're a better tactician than him!"

Unlike some games, which tend to emulate strategy but are really RPGS, this game is one that will push the inner depths of your mind to the very limit. Not only this, it's a game from 2nd and 3rd century China! Let's take a look at some of the game's aspects.

Graphics: 9/10
Just beautiful. As you watch your strategies being executed, you'll feel a glowing pleasure at the beauty of them. Take the "Fire Attack" tactic; very nice. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. This game has FMVs which are very difficult to rival. The game's characters look very realistic and human. Koei's never done a job like this before.

Sound: 10/10
As the graphics are a pleasure to your eyes, the sound is a pleasure to your ears. You have a very large range of tracks, ranging from tranquil Chinese music, to militaristic upbeat themes, to epic RPG-like music. Again, Koei's never done anything like this. They seem to put a lot of care into this game. You also have the very best voice acting handpicked by Koei. Just beautiful.

Gameplay: 10/10
This is where the heart of the game is. Even if the graphics and sound were half their quality, as long as this game still has it's gameplay it would be irrelevant. How lucky we are that we have brilliant gameplay. The game gives you the feeling you're a war strategist from ancient China. You have to think on every level- moral, ethical, strategic, tactical and emotional. Each warlord you might choose to play as (Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Sun Ce, or Lu Bu) has a number of scenarios where you must defend an area, conquer an area, or save an ally. You must direct your troops successfully to do this, and also be successful in your battles. You are responsible for the development of every general, but not so much it turns into an RPG. You must instruct them in the ways of strategy by teaching them Tactics. Tactics can be purchased at a Barracks facility, and whatever you decide to teach a general will greatly effect future battles. But the most prominent feature of the game is Combos. You must position your generals correctly, and set off a string of Tactics which will prove to be intrinsic to the battle. You can use various resources to do this, such as Linking and Chaining. Your strategist can bestow upon you the ability to do this. And there are many, many factors to consider- terrain, time limits, reinforcements, and supply depots to name a few. Unless you take all of these into account, you'll fall. This is a game for a true strategist. And if you are a true strategist, then this game will entertain you for many an hour.

Story: 10/10
If you show interest in this game's story, you must grab Luo Guanzhong's classic "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." It is a novelisation of the tumultous period of the late Han Dynasty and the many kingdoms that fought for power after it's collapse. You can take control of four of the novel's most prominent characters; Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and Lu Bu. Liu Bei is a man of pure heart and noble virtue, and together with his two sworn brothers, he seeks to rise the Han Dynasty back to it's former glory. His nemesis, Cao Cao has the opposite objective; he wants to establish his own dynasty and rule with an iron fist. Sun Ce merely wants to live for today, and keep his family safe. He seeks not personal conquest, but public safety. And Lu Bu is very sure of his goal. He wants to seek an opponent that can surpass him in brute strength. Cao Cao is his worst enemy, as Cao Cao is the one that seeks Lu Bu's end. The game is somewhat fictitious, but the story is engaging all the same. There are multiple story paths to view, and you'll enjoy seeing Ancient China unfold into a chaotic state. It's based off a timeless classic, which gives it instant credit. There's even a list of generals where you can view details of the lives as a soldier. You will enjoy reading about these generals. The story is interwoven with many sub-plots.

Replay Value: 9/10
If you've tested your mettle on one difficulty, try another! There are three difficulties; Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Advanced will require every last brain cell of your noggin to complete. And you may play as four warlords, across multiple story paths! Even after completing the game once, which may take up to 20 hours, you have several other possibilities to explore! Overall you're going to get 70-80 hours out of this game easily.

Conclusion: This game is not an SRPG. It's a strategy game. Where you're required to fend for yourself, not crouching behind concepts as levelling up. If you enjoy strategy games, this one is a must.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/22/07

Game Release: Dynasty Tactics 2 (US, 09/23/03)