Review
Release Date: 03.26.2003
Platform:
PlayStation 2Developer:
KOEI Co., Ltd.Publisher:
KOEI CorporationReviewed by
Wade Monnig on 8.7.2003
| Review Rating: 9/10 | User Rating: 7.38/10 |
As a long time fan of the Dynasty Warriors series, I eagerly anticipate each new release of Koei’s action-filled take on the Three Kingdom era. Even so, I was simply astounded by the strides Dynasty Warriors 4 has taken over its predecessors. From gameplay to graphics to localization, every aspect of the Dynasty Warriors franchise seems to have improved with this release. The phrase “Latest and Greatest” is often thrown around. However, with Dynasty Warriors 4, the phrase is more than apt; the latest Dynasty Warriors release is, indeed, the greatest in the series.
As with the previous incarnations of the Dynasty Warriors series, the setting is the middle of the 3rd century in a divided China. The Kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu vie to unite China. Following the story/history laid out by Luo Guanzhong in his famous novel, many of the famous scenarios, such as the Yellow Turban rebellion, are once again revisited. However, DW4 expands the scope by dissecting what was traditionally presented as a single battle into multiple engagements with defining cut scenes between each episode. This also gave Koei the chance to add branching paths based on character performance within each level. DW4 also puts more of a focus on the different kingdoms, allowing you to play through the Musou Mode using all of the available generals in a kingdom instead of confining you to a single general. This gives another level of strategy, permitting you to choose the general best suited for a specific scenario.
One of the biggest changes in Dynasty Warriors 4 comes in the form of the weapons advancement system. It now carries a more RPG-like aspect. Instead of simply finding new weapons, you “power up” your weapon by defeating generals on the battlefield. The amount of experience earned also hinges on the type of combos you use and the number of hits you are able to string together. Each characters weapon can now be powered up to level 9 and the elusive hidden weapons of DW2/XL return in the form of Level 10 weapons. Of course, this may be a bit confusing for Dynasty Warriors 3/XL veterans who still remember the “Level 4” weapons as the best possible armament. Accessories such as items and orbs now also carry levels. With the exception of character specific level 10 weapons, securing items and receiving higher-level versions of each item seems to be solely a matter of luck. That is to say, the items you find seem to be completely random but the quality improves depending the difficulty level and if you have an item that improves you luck equipped.
Another gameplay addition is the one-on-one duels that pit general versus general in a mano-a-mano showdown. All the complaints about how “I could have beat Lu Bu if it wasn’t for his bodyguards constants attacking my flank!” are now null and void. Now you have to put your Musou where your mouth is and prove your mettle. These duels are not mandatory but turning down a challenge will result in a slight loss of morale for your army. You’ll find sometimes this slight loss is a worthy trade since the duels can be practically challenging and many (since they are timed) end in a stalemate.
In a typical action/fighting title, the initial 9 characters that are available when starting DW4 would be the extent of your selections. However, you’ll can find and unlock a total of 40+ different characters in Dynasty Warriors 4. Much more than simple palette swaps or regurgitated characters, each has unique combos, Musou moves and other defining characteristics. If you are somehow not satisfied with any of these historical offerings, you can now create your own general in the create-a-warrior mode.
Other areas that have seen improvement in Dynasty Warriors 4 are the graphics, the English voice-overs and the music. The mix of Asian-influenced classical instruments into the trademark relentless rock theme that has always dominated the DW series is a welcome addition. The graphical improvements not only are evident on the character models but now the battlefields are fleshed out to a greater degree with subtle touches adding to the atmosphere. Finally, the English voice-overs have taken a dramatic turn for the better and some of the trademark phrases, such as Lu Bu’s “Who else seeks death?” will have you smiling with sadistic delight.
If there is one improvement that really impacts the actual hand to hand combat, it is the improved AI for the both ally and enemy forces. This improved intelligence, especially on the upper difficulty levels, makes for a real challenge. Forces split and refuse to stand still for the all-important crowd clearing attacks. The new siege engine forces especially benefit from the new AI and can literally destroy your character by forcing them into a confined space and reducing them to warlord-flavored paste.
As with any changes to a beloved series, some are not for the better. The arrow aiming system, an often-overlooked area, has taken a turn for the worse. The slower, if more realistic, system makes it easier to forsake than ever before. The improved character graphics also adds more instances of slowdown than were found in the previous releases. A fair trade off in my opinion but this new wrinkle, easily glossed over in the single player mode, puts a real damper on the already overburdened 2-player mode. The pop-up of enemy characters is not only distracting but hinders the use of some strategy in the multi-player Musou Mode.
Dynasty Warriors 4 is easily the best release in an already strong franchise. To update the classic axiom - Among Men: Lu Bu. Among Horse: Red Hare. Among action/strategy: Dynasty Warriors 4.
