A very cool game, but not for everyone..
The Good:
Warriors Orochi 2 takes every character from both series', throws in some more, and wraps everything up in quite the flashy package. It boasts quite a lot of levels for 1 or 2 player. If you've played a warriors game before, there is not much else for me to say. If you haven't, then know that the warriors games are probably the most fun and immersive beat-em-ups out there. You choose three characters which you can switch between in the levels, execute cool combos, specials, and fight nasty bosses. It will be alot like Hunter the reckoning, Gauntlet, God of War, etc. (but better)
The Bad:
Warriors Orochi 2 is very easy, yet I have died in it more than any other warriors game. This is because the gaps in the difficulties of the game are bigger than ever. If you want any challenge at all, you have to take on modes your characters might not be ready for. Also, getting onto horses is about just as hard as the hardest mode in the game. I've found myself on several occasions repeatedly trying and failing to do something that should only require the press of a button. Other than the difficulty and horse-mounting, there isn't too much bad about the game.
The Multiplayer could be better though. Second player has to use the same 3 characters as first player and has to use god-awful color-switches on their characters. I mean, the color-switches on the characters are just plain awful. Sometimes it seems like player 2 is leading a gay pride parade instead of an army. The new modes tacked onto the game encompass a fighting mode (think soul caliber and mortal kombat), a horse racing mode, and a mode where you and player 2 fight it out and try to knock each other and each other's minions off a tower. Me and my friend agreed these diversions are fun- but very very thin. There is only one racing level, the one tower, and one stage for the side-view fighting.
Having said all that though, the diversions ARE very good minigames.
Also, I know for some poeple this won't be a problem, many characters are SEVERELY overpowered while others still are SEVERELY under-powered. I like the characters Taishi-Ci and Yoshimoto Imagawa, yet both of them and more are practically worthless. On the other hand, all of the new characters except for Nu Wa are basically gods and can either take on 6 enemy officers at once, kill any officer with one combo and not yet even be maxed out, or both.
Final Word:
Despite everything about the game that could have been easily fixed and made it a GREAT GAME, I'd still have to say that Warriors Orochi 2 is a very fun addition, and hopefully last, to the warriors line. If you are new to the series, I would suggest getting a more balanced game, though. Try Dynasty Warriors 5 or Samurai Warriors 2: Empires.