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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable, but it could be better, July 1, 2005
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Dynasty Warriors (Video Game)
What is a good way for a gaming developer to make a lot of money with minimal effort? Release its flagship title for a newly released console, of course! This is exactly what Koei did with Dynasty Warriors for the PSP. Having established a great following with previous instalments on other consoles, the popular hack-and-slash game now finds itself among the launch titles for Sony's new generation handheld console. Not surprisingly, the game is very similar to the other Dynasty Warriors, but it's still an enjoyable game to engage if you're into action of this nature.
As in previous Dynasty Warriors games, gamers get to control various characters from the three kingdoms from, yes, you guessed it, the Romance of Three Kingdoms. You begin with fifteen characters, five from each kingdom, and each kingdom has its own story to progress. Of course, the characters have strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the one that represents you best is important, especially when you'll be spending a lot of time with him.
Apart from the main characters, you can bring along four officers with you into the battlefield. Again, each officer has his own unique abilities. Some provides healing. Some allows power boosts. Others make you move faster. You get the drill. Allocating the right ones is, once again, a personal choice depending on your playing style. For the record, I read somewhere that there are more than 200 officers in the game, so it could take quite a while before you can unlock them all. If you're a completist, don't be surprised to find yourself spending a lot of time on this game just to make officers appear on your menu. The Wi-Fi ability on the PSP also allows you to trade officers with your friends if you get tired of who is on your list.
Capturing a map in the story mode requires you to get from point A to point B, via a series of smaller areas. This is one of the main differences between the PSP version of the game and its previous versions. Obviously, Koei has taken the portability of the game into consideration, and has broken up the action into more scattered, but relatively shorter sections. Apart from an increased emphasis on strategies, the system actually serves as an incentive for players to play the game on the go. Maneuvering through a large battlefield may not be a viable choice when your train journey lasts only fifteen minutes. But to attack a small area that lasts for just a few minutes, and then save it and continue later? Why not? This makes it feasible for players to enjoy a little moment with the game without having to sweat over the prospect of ending the game abruptly when they reach their train station. If only all portable games are as thoughtful!
On more mundane issues, the gameplay is simple enough, even though simplicity usually means repetitive. You get the normal attack, charge and jump buttons, as well as a "musou" button, which allows you to do special attacks. Even though you also make use of the shoulder buttons, you'll spend most of your time with the four basic functions. Because of this, I've read many negative comments about the supposedly "idiot-proof" controls. I'm fine with it though, since it's easy enough to master instantly, and comfortable enough to use throughout the game.
The game is not without its flaws. In fact, there are quite a number of them. One of them is the occasional slowdown in frame rate. The slowdown doesn't interfere too badly with the gameplay, but if you're paying good money for the game, you'd expect better. Another issue with the game lies in its less than user-friendly camera angle. It's entirely possible to get yourself killed just because an enemy, who is just slightly out of the picture, is attacking you relentless while you're wondering where he is. Also, the problem with "ghost" characters is also evident here, as some characters appear on the screen later than other, even though they have been there all the time.
In summary, Dynasty Warriors should appeal to gamers who prefer a no-frills hack-and-slash. The controls are simple enough to allow anyone to pick it up and start right away, and the new battlefield system makes it possible to tackle specified areas without having to commit long hours just to clear a map. It's a pity that the fundamental issues of the game are not entirely addressed, making the playing experience a little less satisfying. Still, if you're a fan of the action genre, you may be able to look beyond the flaws and get a good time out of this game.
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9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warriors is portable!!!!, May 10, 2005
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Dynasty Warriors (Video Game)
Just when you got tired of sitting at home in front of the tv playing Dynasty Warriors on your PS2, KOEI makes a portable version of it for the PSP!
Enjoy the non-stop action of Dynasty Warriors on your PSP. Select warriors from any one of the three dynasties (WU, WEI, and SHU) and select special unaligned characters including the legendary LU BU.
Fight your way across China in 7 different stages in Musou Mode or pick a fighter and train him in Free Mode. With 42 warriors to choose from and 200 different officers to have under your command, you can conquer China on the go!
Bottom Line: KOEI better make a second one soon!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
LAck of modes brings a fun game down, July 2, 2006
Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Dynasty Warriors (Video Game)
OF course, like all prevous dynasty warriors games, this one is addicting and fun. The only problem, which turns out to be a big one is that you can only do one thing in Mosou mode. I would not recommend buying this game unless you are a huge dynasty warriors fan.
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