Dynasty Warriors 4

"DW4 almost pushes this series to its full potential"

Most magazines and web sites tend not to review the Dynasty Warrior series that well. They claim that the games in the series just do not change, and that the lack innovation from title to title. While gameplay still remains the same, this title is still a lot better as well

The story is pretty nice. You choose between one of three kingdoms in ancient China and you control one general from that kingdom, and you continue the story of how it rose to power all the way up until it falls.

Graphically this game has been improved a lot. The character models no longer look so dull, and they are very well executed. Lip synchronizing is well done, but the FMV's are a bit unimpressive. I dunno why, but compared to what's out there now, they just weren't that appealing. The animation is nice, and I find it amazing that Koei can incorporate such graphics into a game where so much data and motion is involved. The scenes are also very nice. No longer must you stay and fight in some canyon or a dull fort with a few tents. The backgrounds and scenarios are VERY well done.

The music is very well done as well. The score is kind of a mix between heavy metal and ancient Chinese music. I like it and I usually find myself humming the music hours after I had last played the game. The sound is well done too. The voice acting can be a bit trifle at times, but its bearable.

The gameplay is a lot better as well. The controls are a lot better from the previous title. They are highly improved since the previous titles. Attacking it still fun, and you can still pull of those amazing combos like in the previous ones. It gets kind of hard to remember when you are supposed to hit the triangle button to do the move you want, but it becomes second nature when the time comes around.

This game's overall premace is pretty simple. You are a Chinese general, who actually existed at some point in Chinese History, and you are placed in an actual battle that supposedly actually took place in history. Once you are in the battle, you can do one of two things. You can fight along side your army of over 500 soldiers, at times, and take you time fighting, OR you can rush right through levels, once you are strong enough, and fight the other enemies army all by yourself. This is can actually be done once you are strong enough. Sometimes, you must fight an enemy officer which raises your troops' moral and allows you to gain experience. And other main character generals challenge you to duels at times, which you can except or refuse. Horseback riding is fun as well, and this game also has power-ups that allow you to temporarily or permanently raise your characters stats.

This title also takes some RPG qualities that allows you to build up you characters. Your weapons can be improved and maximized once you find their final weapon. Characters themselves also gain stats and can gain ranks in their armies. And even your bodyguards can gain levels. Sure they start out weak, but they can soon be able to take on even the strongest generals of opposing armies. Items can also be found within levels to gain stats.

Customization is another important factor in this game. You can create you own squad of bodyguards, and you can even create your own character, but it has rather limited choices on what he or she can look like or do. This needs some improvement, but it shows potential.

There are several modes of play such as musou mode, which is the storyline part of the game, and there is also free mode if you just wish to gain levels, or want to play one specific battle. Perhaps the only mode this game really lacks is an online mode, but I hope Dynasty Warriors 5 includes one. Hell, DW4 even has a dictionary that tells you about EVERY officer in the game.

This game has over 40 characters that you can play as, although you can only start out with nine. There are so many unlockable characters, that it might take you a while to get them all.

This game does have some downpoints. Defending is still a pain, and the action can get a bit repetitive at times. It also takes a REALLY long time in maximize every character, so you have to be pretty devoted if you want to do that. I never experience that much lag when I play it. In the 50+ hours I have put into this game, I think I experienced lag about 6 or 7 times for about 5 seconds each. Its really not that often that it comes around.

Pro's
Highly Improved from its predecessors
Allows even more customization
Great musical score

Con's
VERY rarely experiences lag
Can be repetitive

I really have not had this much fun with an action game since Devil May Cry or Onimusha 2. RPG qualities are really nice, and the nonstop action is really fun. What this series needs is three things, online mode, better character creation, and a map/battle maker. If DW5 includes those things, then it will be a very stunning game indeed.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/13/03, Updated 04/13/03