Crimson Sea 2

"It's Dynasty Warriors...IN SPACE! *echo-echo-echo*"

To this day, I'm still mystified how a Xbox-exclusive game received a PS2-exclusive sequal is beyond me, but that thought immediately leaves my mind everytime the familiar cubes appear on my screen.

At first glance, players of Koei's obscenely awesome Dynasty Warriors series will note many similarities in the camera setup, control setup, and the way the HUD looks. But that's where the similarity ends.

Sure, the game involves you slaying hundreds upon hundreds of foes, just like Dynasty Warriors, but instead of dropping you in the middle of a battlefield teeming with thousands of soldiers...you're dropped in the middle of a battlefield teeming with millions of mutants...and you have a mission to accomplish.

At the beginning, some of the missions are simply ''slaughter anything that takes a breath'', but as you go along you start encountering missions such as escorting, or rescuing. One mission has you going deep into enemy territory to activate a weapon, and then gives you eight minutes to get out before you die. But, fear not, along the way you will find teeming hoards of the Menace to slaughter.

And slaughter you shall. There are many deep methods of splattering mutant guts over the walls. You can tear them apart with your gun, rip through them like butter with your Blade weapon, or mow them down with NeoPsionics (think of it as Musou from Dynasty Warriors). Hey, for good measure, they also threw in a ''bullet-time'' mode, ala Max Payne, and tactics that combine the use of your guns and your Blade.

Graphically, this game seems to push the PS2 to the limits, but at the same time, not. There are no signs of the infamous ''Ancient Chinese Bullet Time'' or slowdown from Dynasty Warriors as the screen becomes filled with mutants, and each of the characters and monsters look incredibly detailed and unique. Flashes and explosions abound, but the PS2 doesn't show any signs of strain.

As I mentioned, this was a sequel to an Xbox exclusive game, and that leaves many people unaware of the incredibly rich story, a surprise in a button-mashing slaughter fest like CS2. There's a character aboard the headquarters, and if you talk to him, he'll explain everything that happened in the first game in a set of twenty CGI cutscenes. The best part? This is all optional. Someone who isn't interested by the story can skip right by this and just kill, maim, and decimate to their heart's content.

As I wrap up this review, I realize that I've merely tapped the tip of the iceberg that is this devilishly entertaining game. If you like Dynasty Warriors, science-fiction, or just like killing many many things without fear of legal reprisal, pick up Crimson Sea 2. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/04/04