Dynasty Warriors 5

your dynasty

Reviewed by jel12345 on May 02, 2007  |  report this review

It seemed like just yesterday when Dynasty Warriors 4 was released. If it doesn't seem like that to you then pick up a copy of Dynasty Warriors 5 and see how much it reminds you of the last game in the series.

With only a few significant upgrades, none of them major, a new Dynasty Warriors game has been released. I can only deduce two things from this version; the developers were stuck for new ideas or the series has run its course. While I admit this is undoubtedly the best version so far, it's far from original. It's built on the foundation of past games and smells suspiciously of a "best of."

Hack and slash fans will be treated to a very long game. It's mindless for the most part but does require some planning at the beginning of the various stages. There is some strategy and exploration but fighting will consume most of your time. I consider myself a fan of action games but enough is enough. Halfway through the game I just couldn't take it anymore. Even though you acquire new weapons and abilities the gameplay is relentlessly repetitive. You begin by fighting tens of soldiers which soon becomes hundreds and then thousands. If this style of gameplay appeals to you then consider yourself in heaven. For the rest of us, it's like being in the other place.

The improvements include better graphics, more playable characters, a steady framerate, longer viewing distance as the fog of war is pushed back and only one bodyguard instead of a group. This one bodyguard system eliminates some of the confusion during heavy melee conflicts and allows you more flexibility to pull off combos. This one bodyguard is much smarter and more dynamic this time around. Not only will he protect you much more effectively but you can use him much like a second player in a co-op mode. A special attack called the Musou Attack can be triggered when both your meters are full. Lightning will strike and you'll devastate all the enemies within range. You can also substitute animals such as tigers for bodyguards.

Not only are you required to take on hundreds of enemies before you meet the boss but you'll have to find more powerful weapons and upgrade your skills. Some weapons will be left behind by fallen enemies but most of them you'll find scattered throughout the map. The map is huge and that makes for a lot of exploring. The weapons come in two classes: light and heavy. The light weapons are faster but while the heavy weapons are capable of more damage they can leave you vulnerable for longer periods of time.

Introduced in the last game, strongholds are fortresses that give the occupying force a few advantages. It can act as a supply base, a spawn area and a shield. By overtaking a stronghold you can reduce your enemy's advantage and boost your army's moral.

This ancient China saga seems to be running out of steam. There are more than 50 characters each with their own story. These stories just relate their backgrounds and don't have much to do with the o

enjoy

Hint by waste420 on September 18, 2007  |  report this hint

Unlockable: Characters
Cao Cao: complete any 4 Wei musou modes.
Cao Ren: complete Cao Pi musou mode.
Da Qiao: complete Sun Ce musou mode.
Diao Chan: complete Lu Bu musou mode.
Dong Zhuo: complete Diao Chan musou mode.
Gan Ning: complete Ling Tong musou mode.
Guan Ping: complete Guan Yu musou mode.
Huang Gai: complete any 3 Wu musou modes.
Jiang Wei: complete any 2 Shu musou modes.
Liu Bei: complete any 4 Shu musou modes.
Lu Bu: complete 1 Wei, 1 Shu, and 1 Wu musou modes.
Lu Meng: complete any 2 Wu musou modes.
Meng Huo: complete Zhuge Liang and Lu Xun's musous.
Pang De: complete Ma Chao musou mode.
Pang Tong: complete any 3 Shu musou modes.
Sima Yi: complete any 1 Wei musou mode.
Sun Ce: complete Sun Quan musou mode.
Sun Jian: complete any 4 Wu musou modes.
Wei Yan: complete Huang Zhong musou mode.
Xiahou Yaun: complete Xiahou Dun's musou. mode.
Xiao Qiao: complete Zhuo Yu musou mode.
Xu Huang: complete any 3 Wei musou modes.
Yuan Shao: complete Cao Cao musou mode.
Yue Ying: complete Zhuge Liang musou mode.
Zhang He: complete any 2 Wei musou modes.
Zhang Jiao: complete Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian's musous.
Zhu Rong: complete Meng Huo's musou.
Zhuge Liang: complete any 1 Shu musou mode.
Zhuo Tai: complete any 1 Wu musou mode.
Zuo Ci: unlock all of the other characters.
Unlockable: Zhuge Liange
Select the battle of Tian Shui (playing on the Shu side). Once the battle begins, capture Nan An and An Ding Castle. To do this, simply eliminate Xiahou Mao and Cui Liang. Now, to acquire the Zhuge Liange, chase after Jiange Wei as he retreates from Tian Shui Castle. Defeat him when you catch up with him, and an item box will appear holding the weapon you seek - Zhuge Liange.

Submitted by Zhuge_Liange09