Samurai Warriors

by Koei

Product Features

• The new Active Mission System(AMS) triggers new mission variations each time the game is played
• Auto-Formation System(AFS) randomly generates castle levels and conquest routes, for a new experience with each play
• Unique graphics render game environments in deeply saturated, chromatic tones -- the entire game feels like a classic samurai film
• Warlord Mode lets you create characters by playing a series of mini-games
• Avoid the many traps and obstacles you'll face - Circular blades, false staircases, and other traps lay hidden within each castle

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0001XASJ4
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: May 5, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,349 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Game Informer Review

Koei continues to find new ways to milk the Dynasty Warriors engine for all it's worth. After Dynasty Warriors 4: Extreme Legends tried the "1.5" sequel tactic, this time around the company has changed the title altogether and switched the setting from ancient China to16th century Japan.

There have been some improvements in the gameplay package. The combo system accommodates a larger variety of tactics, and the different characters have wildly varying styles of combat. In addition, the Musou special moves are devastating and shown in even greater graphical splendor. Still, I doubt even the most ardent Dynasty Warriors fans will be able to claim this is any sort of dramatic reinvention of the well-used combat scheme.

While the missions and levels are no great feat of game design, there are some interesting twists that will keep the experience fresh enough for many. There is now some degree of castle randomizing, which should help add to the replay factor for hardcore players. Yes, many of the missions are still pretty simplistic, but every once in a while you'll perform a unique task or be surprised by the traps in interior environments.

In the end, Samurai Warriors is not a bad game. In fact, for some people, it might be just what they need – solid hack n' slash action that does a great job of making you feel that you're part of a much larger conflict. However, for me, it's obvious that Koei has become complacent. Samurai Warriors is merely mediocre in terms of graphics (including the pitiful draw-distance in multiplayer), and simple problems like the inept camera have yet to be fixed. Its strong gameplay manages to squeak out a passing grade, but I really don't feel this franchise is living up to its potential.

Concept:
The same old hack n' slashin' in a new setting

Graphics:
I think it's time for Koei to radically upgrade or scrap this engine

Sound:
A nice score with Dolby Pro Logic II support

Playability:
Does a good job of providing some depth to the basic combat, but the camera still blows

Entertainment:
Don't be fooled by the new title, this is Dynasty Warriors all over again

Replay:
Moderately High

Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Matt Helgeson
Issue: May 2004

2nd Opinion:
The bottom line is that the biggest difference between Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors is the name. It's the same old hack n' slash action that Dynasty Warriors has offered for years with a slightly different setting. Every battle in the game is basically the same as those that came before it, the combat isn't too deep, and the environments are bland. But, on the other hand, upgrading my abilities and getting new skills was engaging enough to keep me playing for a while. If you're one of those Warriors fans that picks up every iteration of the series, you won't be disappointed. If you're just a fan of action games, you may also get a kick out of it – for a while. This title truly epitomizes the phrase "dumb but fun."

Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Jeremy Zoss


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Product Description

Samurai Warriors brings the ancient world to life, throwing you into the heart of combat. In 1467, the Shogun's rulership collapsed, ushering in the Sengoku - The "time of warring states". During this civil war we meet brave Sanada Yukimura, a young soldier. His elite team of samurai and ninja will travel to the renowned battlefields and temples of Japan, as this great war emerges from the shadows. Control the island nation's legendary warriors, from Oda Nobunaga to Hattori Hanzo -- and battle for rulership, honor and glory. Use historical weapons from the traditional katana to the more unusual kunai or kuzarigama -- you can decide what your character uses Scenarios based on historical and fictional accounts, for thrilling battle in 30 exciting locales Incredible Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound puts you in the middle of the action

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Button Masher, December 15, 2006

By 

asugar2 "asugar2" (Seattle USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Samurai Warriors (Video Game)

Easily some of the most exciting action games in the past few years are the DYNASTY WARRIORS games from Koei. What the series lacked in storyline surely made up for it with the action packed and longtime playability that you would find in each game. Where else can you kill hundreds or even thousands of enemy soldiers for hours at a time? And of course, as we'ved already seen with the series so far, if a series works, companies will capitalize on its success. This is the case for Koei newest title, SAMURAI WARRIORS.
One of the most appealing things about the DYNASTY WARRIORS series, other than the constant action, is the historical background of ancient China. Sure, while there is no record of any one person killing 1000 people in a single battle, the game brings some historical references into the game to sprucen up the storyline. The only difference between DYNASTY WARRIORS and the newcomer SAMURAI WARRIORS is that the latter now takes place in feudal Japan. Taking place during the Sengoku period of Japanese history,
When the political power of the Ashikaga Shogunate collapsed in the succession dispute of 1467, the islands of Japan erupted in a series of major wars. This era in Japanese history became known as the Sengoku or "warring states" period. SAMURAI WARRIORS explores this dramatic era and combines it with the Tactical Action excitement KOEI has become known for. SAMURAI WARRIORS stars the brave Sanada Yukimura, who leads an elite band of samurai and ninja. Sanada's journey will take him to the hallowed Japanese battlefields of Okehazama and Kawanakajima and inside the embattled walls of Osaka Castle where he will come face-to-face with gun-toting troops, echelons of ninja, and deadly kunoichi (female ninja). Players can choose the role of Sanada Yukimura or other legendary samurai and ninja. The game will herald the rise of the indispensable ninja, Hattori Hanzo, from the shadows of history, as well as the reemergence of KOEI's powerful and mysterious Oda Nobunaga. Missions evolve depending on player performance and the tide of battle. Success or failure can affect scenarios in later stages. With 500 variations, the chain of missions is unique with each play, adding depth while heightening the urgency and excitement of combat. Samurai Warriors' AFS (auto-formation system) randomly generates castle levels and conquest routes offering a new experience with each play. [KOEI] SAMURAI WARRIORS obviously focuses on the warring nations that combat each other during this time period. But technically, for storyline, that is about as historically accurate as this one gets (other than a few real-life characters that you will find throughout the game).
SAMURAI WARRIORS allows you to select from 15 different characters, each with his or her own fighting style and storyline. True, they don'all differ too much from each other, but they are different enough to warrant playing through more than one of them. Basically, if you' played any of the DYNASTY WARRIORS games, you'll feel right at home with SAMURAI WARRIORS. The square button performs most of the attacks you use throughout the game, allowing you to string together combos. By adding in the occasional press of the triangle or circle buttons for your special attacks, you be able to take apart the enemy armies in no time. Of course, the coolest mode found in the game is when two players see who can kill 1000 enemies the quickest.
The newest upgrade to SAMURAI WARRIORS is the Officer Mode, which allows you to create your own samurai from several pre-rendered models. After creating your character, you go through a series of tests from your trainer until you are good enough to join a clan and become a full fledged samurai. There are also some new RPG effects added into the game that allow you to upgrade your character'attack, defense and weaponry.
One of the biggest downfalls of the game, just like the DYNASTY WARRIORS games, is the English voice acting. The voice acting was pretty bad before, but now it just seems downright intolerable. Luckily for us, a much better acted Japanese track is available for players. The music is also decidedly more Japanese, more subdued and traditional, than the previous rock tracks that we are used to in the DYNASTY WARRIORS series.
I also didn't like the endless castle maze (which all looked alike hence only 4 stars) plus the graphics are not as good as Samurai 2 (which has more color & depth) SAMURAI WARRIORS is still a perfectly good action game for people who enjoy playing games that don't require much thought. This is a game that any player can just jump into and have a great time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Japanese Aspect, June 18, 2009

By 

Lisa Shea "medieval swordfighting enthusiast" - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Samurai Warriors (Video Game)

I am a big fan of feudal Japan and was thrilled when Samurai Warriors finally came out. This is a version of the classic Dynasty Warriors set in Japan.

If you've played Dynasty Warriors before, then you know the basic layout. There are many characters to choose from, and each moves through his or her own timeline in feudal Japan (the 16th century) when there was great conflict and strife in Japanese history. You're dealing with Oda Nobunaga and other classic historical figures as they fight for control of Japan.

The graphics are really great, with nice sword moves, costumes, backgrounds, horses, and more. You really get the sense that you're battling your way through a feudal Castle or fighting across plains to achieve your objective.

You can build a character up from scratch, going through training and joining a clan. Or you can take a pre-designed character and start through historical missions, building your clan's honor and prestige.

There are the traditional Musou moves where you wipe out entire groups of forces with one series of blows. There are combo attacks, and loyal followers to assist you in your goals. There are the cut-scenes that make the history clear, and the 'over the shoulder' sad looks as your enemies retreat from the map.

While some might say this is just another release of Dynasty Warriors, I really love the Japanese world so much that I gladly bought this immediately on release and we have been playing it ever since. There are enough upgrades - from horse attacks to character development - to make it WELL worth playing. And for me, setting it in a Japanese history instead of a Chinese one is a huge bonus.

I highly recommend this for any fan of strategy. With all the unlockables and replaying you can do, plus the multi-player options, you can easily play this game for months!

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You know, this isn't so bad! In fact, it's great!, January 30, 2005

By 

M. A Jenkins "southerndudeman" (Manhattan, KS) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Samurai Warriors (Video Game)

I had read a number of reviews claiming that this game was exactly like Dynasty Warriors, except worse. Well, I must confess that because of these, I held out from purchasing this for a long time. However, when I found this title in the bargain bin of a certain large chain store (for ten bucks), I finally said, "What the hey?" and purchased it.

Oh, I was not disappointed...

Indeed, Samurai Warriors does have a great deal of similarity with its Dynasty Warrior counterpart. You take control of a character, and hack your way into Japanese history. The time period is the end of the so-called Sengoku, or Warring States, a long and bloody civil war between many participants which ended with the rise of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The game starts with Nobunaga Oda's attack on the Imagawa, the "ruling" clan at the time. Historically, Nobunaga was far outnumbered by the Imagawa, but managed to gain a bit of luck due to a driving rainstorm.

The game concentrates on a few battles (some real, some fictitious) and a few participants (initially, only five are available, but ten more can be unlocked, including Nobunaga himself). The action moves forward by means of missions which the player may embark on. Succeeding (or failing) a mission will open new missions. Furthermore, each person has a scenario and (at least) two different endings to find. In general, this game is quite a bit harder than Dynasty Warriors, but I found this pretty fun (if at times frustrating - the "Betrayal at Honnuji" level is a killer even at "normal" difficulty).

Character growth is pretty fun, as they grow depending on how you decide to defeat each level (or, you can look online to learn how to max out all character stats). The graphics are a bit weak for an entry this late into the DW genre, but the gameplay makes up for it, in my opinion. Level 5 weapons are quite difficult to get as well.

All in all, I think the game is worth the incredibly cheap price I got it for, and is probably worth three times that. Oh, and one more thing, Nobunaga isn't really all that much like Cao Cao (Cao Cao was a very skilled diplomat, whereas Nobunaga's diplomacy came at the tip end of a sword, so to speak). But anyway, I found the game well worth the money.