Dynasty Warriors 4 (PS2)

.co.uk Review

If you've never played an earlier version of the game, here's what you need to know: Dynasty Warriors is a fighting game series played from the third-person perspective, where you pick a general as your avatar and fight across sprawling battlefields. The generals all have distinct personalities and there are a few women characters included too. As you campaign, you collect special items such as the Dragon Amulet which increases your Musou gauge (Musou allows you to enact special, prolonged attacks on multiple enemies). You have bodyguards, you kill enemy generals, and along the way your new skill points increase your weapon's power.

With DW4, there are many new additions, only some of which are successful. Charge attacks and items are souped up and truly improved. For example, equipping a magic orb can cause you to freeze enemies in a block of ice. You can edit characters, but with so many good preset ones to choose from, chances are you won't spend a lot of time working on your own. In addition to a better game engine, there's also the option of one-on-one-duels. The s are immense compared to previous editions, with a lot more variance in what can happen by the end of your mission.

Even with a significant number of new features, it's debatable whether or not Dynasty Warriors 4 is a true overhaul, or just another release to cash in on the popularity of the franchise. Regardless, it's addictive for reasons that almost defy explanation. You just want to clear this act, to get to the next stage, and to reveal the goodies you've received from killing that big boss. It's as simple as that. And at the moment when you can knock down an entire platoon with a couple of hits, well, then you'll join the ranks of the dedicated. --Jennifer Buckendorff

Manufacturer's Description

In Dynasty Warriors 4, grudges and a new rebellion bring an end to the 400-year reign of the Han dynasty. The once noble empire of China crumbles into three warring states. Honour and loyalty in the face of adversity serve as the game's theme. Obligations to one's lords and allies guide these ancient warriors across the battlefields of Ancient China.

Dynasty Warriors 4 uses the most advanced melee-fighting engine to deliver the next evolution of action. Experience the thrill of taking on multiple nents at once and fighting against impossible odds. New features not only add more depth to the legend of the Three Kingdoms but also to the individual characters and the dramatic events surrounding them.

• Battlefield action game.
• Three great kingdoms go to war.
• Play as one of nine different officers or create your own.
• Use catapults, battering rams, and portable bridges in real time.
• Constantly changing scenarios and reactive AI.
• For one or two players.