Samurai Warriors 2 Empires is just like any Dynasty Warriors game: hack'n slash fun in a tired series.

User Rating: 7.9 | Samurai Warriors 2 Empires X360
By TheVinster | Review Date:
Gameplay: Like any of Koei's games in the Samurai Warriors or Dynasty Warriors franchises, you play as a japanese warrior placed in a historical time battling the likes of other historical figures (whether fact or fiction). The storyline is pretty basic, conquer everything that can be conquered, any ally should be charged with respect if respectful, and all enemies should cower in fear at your rise to power. The gameplay itself, to reiterated, is a simple hacking adventure, you'll press the attack, jump, and special (musuo or not) attack to kill hundreds of unworthy A.I. idiots. Now I'd be a lot more compelled to buy Koei's games if they would make the A.I. worth facing, they usually stand around and barely notice you, the only intelligence computer-wise that stands up well enough are the named enemies that are the only ones that actually hurt you. You run around the large area killing anything in your way, until you arrive at a guard point, which you'll then take, and effectively form a string linking your main base to the enemies, so you can kill the enemy captain. That's all you do, over and over again, in every campaign, it's never really different, but I do find it very fun. So to summarize: gameplay is fun, stupid opponents are not.

Graphics: The graphics are considered Xbox or PS2 by my standards, and the only real next-gen thing it does it add more enemies on screen or optimize frame-rate, but neither of the stated are even worth it. Most of the warriors look alike, as well as animations, actions, moves, and special attacks. The grass looks flat, the fences block-like, and everything else just re-used from past games. Koei could really spend some time in the graphics department for this franchise.

Sound: The historic-sounding Japanese music really is one of the selling points to me, since it really does complete the games scenario and feel. As far as speaking goes, most of the captains say the same thing over like Oda Nobunaga, who keeps saying, "It's just that simple," every time he captures a guard point. The speaking could be thought-out more, as well as vary more of the re-hashed sounds.

Value: Lots of campaigns to do, Xbox Live compatible (not online, but you can log on and talk to friends I guess), since it's an Empires games it lets you add a bit of strategy while not being as confusing as Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires, and that's about it. Re-used, tried, and tired, the Koei formula is getting old way too fast, and they should attempt to change that.

Reviewer's Tilt: Simply put, I love my hack'n slashes of this format. Koei really does making kill 400 of the same looking enemies on the same looking maps over and over again fun. How? I do not know. At best, this game is a rental, but it's also budget-priced, so if you have extra cash then buy it, but I can't guarentee you a promising game for too long.

Other Helpful Reviews for Samurai Warriors 2 Empires

  • Rating:9.6

    Samurai Warriors 2 + Strategy = Greatness

    By TheGreatXL | Review Date: Feb 27, 2007 | X360

    Say what you will about the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series, but I've always found the gameplay quite addictive. You basically choose to control one warrior and kill tons of enemies. Simple enough. But some ... Read Full Review

    18 of 22 users found the following review helpful
  • Rating:8

    Ignore the reviewer, this game is actually pretty good

    By MassEfectivator | Review Date: Jun 01, 2008 | X360

    Okay, I understand how a reviewer might not like a game and might want to rip it apart, but honestly, a lot of stuff this guy said is crap. He was right about nothing but bad bad voice acting and the great Empire mode. ... Read Full Review

    2 of 2 users found the following review helpful
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