Dynasty Warriors 5

"Dynasty Warriors 5: Revolutionary"

Dynasty Warriors is quite the series. Back around when the PS2 was released, DW2 was released. A button masher perhaps, but one that involved huge battles where you are the hero. It's come a long way, but 5 truly captures the magic that 2 and 3 did. I love this series to be sure; but I'll be as unbiased as possible.

Gameplay - 10/10

I truly love the gameplay. The point of the game is to fight in massive battles. You pick a character from a choice of about 15-20 starting characters. More characters can be unlocked up to a possible 48. Wow! Anyways, the point is to play through Musou Mode, which is a Story Mode where the hero you pick and get to know tells his story through a series of 5-8 large battles. The point of the levels is for you to kill all the peons, the powerful officers, and the all mighty commander, to lead your troops to victory. How you do so is up to you. Dynasty Warriors has a combo system in which you push combinations of buttons to do various moves. The move system is not complicated at all, hence why many people label this game as "button mashing", yet it can be quite varied. You improve your characters strength for the incrementally hardening levels by picking up Attack/Defense bonuses from defeated commanders, Life Bonuses from Defeated Commanders or Crates, and Musou Gauge Bonuses from Crates. The levels aren't all about killing everything in sight, sometimes there are objectives mentioned (but not required to do), that can make the battle significantly easier to go through. I could ramble on all day about the gameplay, which also includes a Bodyguard system where you have one bodyguard who protects you. That bodyguard learns skills in order to help you in battle, and abilities can go up based on a rating system. It's also possible to find a tiger to help you in battle as well (which involves an item). Items are equipped on your character for added bonuses or special abilities. Anyways, enough rambling. On to the next part of my review! :D

Graphics - 8.5/10

Dynasty Warriors kind of suffers here. The graphics haven't really improved all that much since Dynasty Warriors 3. What they've done has been to add a smoothness to the characters, especially in the short movie sequences (CG's) that are shown sometimes before a level and/or after you beat the game. One big improvement by Koei was that now more people are shown onscreen at once. Very little of the troops suddenly "popping out of nowhere" is found, as well as slowdown all but gone. So there are some improvements in the Graphics/Running Department, but some are just very slight.

Camera/Control - 9.5/10

The Camera has always been a plus to the series. The camera follows behind the character, allowing you to see in front of you, with limited sight behind you unless you turn around. Clicking the "Guard" button allows you to center the camera once again behind you, which is very useful during heated battles. But sometimes it can take a bit of getting used to. The control is simple. Moving your characters involves simply moving the Analog Stick. It's rather smooth, though there is no walking in Dynasty Warriors unless you strafe (which involves guarding and moving). Truly this is a huge plus in the game.

Sound/Voice Acting - 10/10

I truly love the sound. The music is incredible and seems to really blend in with the battles you have, and seems very appropriate. The voice acting isn't too bad (though a lot of people will tell you it's horrible). Some of the characters seem to have shrill or childish voices, but in my opinion it fits the character perfectly. The voices of the peons "death cries" from you hitting them sound girlish, but you are the big strong dude whipping them with your weapon, so of course they're screaming like girlies. :D

Storyline - 10/10

The storyline is truly where the Revolution begins. Each of the 48 characters has his/her own story that they tell at the beginning and end of each level. The story is told using the characters different personalities. Also, each character has their own end sequences chronicling their life loosely (since the game is based off a novel which is based off Chinese History). Each character also, as I stated earlier in the review, has their own set of levels consisting of 5-8 levels.

Replay Value - 10/10

Replay value is often argued of the Dynasty Warriors games. So I'll split this into two sections.

Fans of DW/Newcomers to the DW Series: These two groups will find the replay value a big 10/10. First off beating the game with certain characters and kingdoms can unlock other characters for play, a big bonus. Also, other characters may have a new level for play when you play their Musou. Also there are plenty of items to be found and upgraded, whether Horse Saddles, Orbs for Elemental Attacks, Special Items enabling things (Like Fire Arrows), or even just upgrading attacks and such. Also you can find new bodyguards with better abilities and such, and each character has their own story and unique set of moves and weapons (Whether Light, Medium, or Heavy weight. Weights of weapons will decide how fast you can swing them).

People who disliked Previous DW Series: This group will find replay value very limited, about a 3/10. If you didn't like previous DW's, or you like games with challenging button usage (Fighting Games, LOTR Action Games, etc.) will find this game lacking in most departments, especially replay value.

Conclusion/Final Analysis - 10/10

In conclusion, Dynasty Warriors 5 is truly revolutionary. It takes the best of the series and mixes it in with new additions to make perhaps the best of the series so far. I think this game has the most enjoyment to be had in terms of all the categories I listed, and I recommend this game to all fans of the series, and any newcomers looking to spend countless hours fighting in massive battles with their powerful character. Also, Dynasty Warriors 5 got rid of the horrendous Duel System and the equally bad Create-A-Warrior Mode. Here's hoping the next Dynasty Warriors is just as revolutionary.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/07/05, Updated 04/07/05