See the Legends of Fiece Warriors Come Alive (Dynasty Warriors 2 (PS2))

Member Name: Goldensummit

Product:	Dynasty Warriors 2 (PS2)
Date:	09/02/08 (121 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good old hack n slash fun, the basics, simplistic game play

Disadvantages: Graphics, too many characters with the lack of battles, no two player

From the very beginning, a strategy hack n slash game is born for the playstation 2, known as Dynasty Warriors 2. Back in the day when the game play was fresh, and was a massive difference from the original one on one fighting game for the playstation. Take up a legendary warrior, and shred through hundreds of enemies on massive scale battles.

With this being the earliest instalment to KOEI's Official Dynasty Warriors series, there are only minimal modes that include Musou, Free and Options.

Musou is like story mode, where you choose a character, and play through a set amount of battles, each getting bigger and harder as you progress. Fight your way through several historical battles, as you play through as one of twenty-eight characters in total. As you progress, you'll unlock new characters to play as, through a total of eight battles. It may not seem like a lot compared to the newer versions, but at the time (year 2000), being one of the early birds for playstation 2, and a complete rework of Dynasty Warriors, it is great.

Free, as normal, allows you to play through all levels you unlock(in Musou) with any character you so wish, though unfortunately with this early instalment, it doesn't offer the two player co-operative that makes Free that all much better to play.

I really enjoyed this game, especially that I just picked it up one day in a great deal from GAME, with two other games (was 3 for 2), being able to see where the saga started in its' new ways was a great experience, especially that I'm a big KOEI fan because of the Dynasty Warriors series. I found it quite addictive, like I do with all the Dynasty Warriors games, and with it being in its' primitive stages, it is quite easy to get along with it.

This game, as per usual with KOEI, doesn't have good graphics, even for its time, it was very poor with little detail in the environments. The game is original, it is the first type of game in its time, and ever since then, there have been many spin-offs of similar game play, and many trying to best it. The soundtrack, is brilliant, with its' rock, it makes you want to continually shred enemies. The voices are all in English and it doesn't offer the original Japanese, which is a shame, but the voices in this are actually quite good, it's a shame that KOEI didn't stick to the basics in the sequels.

I found the game rather difficult, especially being use to the newer versions, with the better move sets and few more ways to dispose of your enemies, but really its' just getting use to the old style, and how the A.I works. This game offers three difficulties for you to choose from, which enhances the replay values. In short, I found this game enjoyable, it lasted a few days of pure enjoyment and hardcore mass army hack n slash. Great for those that just want to let of steam and unleash hell on numerous opponents. I do recommend this to all hack n slash fans that wish to have a good weekend of gaming, especially that the price of the game is around £5 - £10, its well worth it.

Overall: 7.2/10

Summary: The beginning of a new era of hack n slash games