Will Evil Truly Prevail? (Warriors Orochi (Xbox 360))

Member Name: Goldensummit

Product:	Warriors Orochi (Xbox 360)
Date:	08/02/08 (111 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Offers both Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors, the few new features are semi-decent

Disadvantages: Voice actors should be hanged, repetitive in every way possible, short story

The worlds of Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors are about to collide, in this cross-over instalment in KOEI's Warriors' series, Warriors Orochi. Where you can play as all of the characters from both Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors, in a unique story set in a fictional universe. There are 77 playable characters from Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors, including two specially made characters exclusive for the Warriors Orochi series.

There are quite a few new exclusive features to the Warriors' Orochi series that includes having both Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors characters to play as, as well this new feature that allows you to take three characters into battle at once. With the three character feature, you will be able to easily switch between characters instantly at your desire, to bring you strategic advantages to each battle you participate in. Each character is also specified into three different groups, there are Speed, Technique and Power, which all have their own advantages and disadvantages in battle, which gives you that extra strategic value towards the numerous wars. A new weapon feature, known as the 'Weapon fusion' system, allows you to combine attributes earned in battle, to effectively merge two weapons into a more powerful weapon.

As per usual with the Warriors' series, this is no different in what modes it offers. You have Story Mode, Free Mode, Gallery and Options.

Story Mode, allows you to play through the story of Wu, Shu, Wei and Sengoku. Each story has a unique series of battles that ultimately lead to the destruction of the evil serpent king: Orochi. There are eight levels to the main story and seven side-levels that allow you to further unlock characters, which give you achievements. Unfortunately, the story is just as stale and as boring as Dynasty Warriors 4 was, as there is only real purpose to play with 4 or 5 characters out of the 77 available.

Free Mode, allows you to go through battles you have played in story mode with any character you so wish, so you can make each level a unique experience to each character you choose to fight as.

Gallery is just for artworks, movies, and the works, which offers over three hundred artefacts from both Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors.

For those that are new to KOEI's 'Warriors' series, then this game is a great way to start and get involved, as it offers bits from both of their series', allowing you to go chopping crazy against all the worthless enemies that come charging your way.

As most know, I am a fan of KOEI's 'Warriors' series, and enjoy a good hack n slash game. Though when I first heard about this game being made, I felt very disappointed that they were going to taint history just for a quick cash-in. But as time passed, the game started to look better and better, and looked more enjoyable. I ended up getting the game, and gave it a go, and I found the game was pretty fun, for about a few days. It is easy to complete, in a very short space of time, with little to no inspiration to play the game further once it is done. Considering there is nothing really new, except for a few different systems that make the game mildly enjoyable, there is no actual purpose to this game. With a story that is very poorly done, and little imagination brought to the table, it dishonours the 'Warriors' series.

It was fairly addictive at start, but it is very easy to loose interest, especially with the usual repetitive game play, and lack of innovation. Though on the plus side, the story is original, even if the game play stays out-dated. Graphically this game is dreadful, very little detail in the environments, but with it being on the XBOX360, the up scaling does make everything look a lot smoother, but with the little detail, it doesn't really scream "next generation".

The soundtrack, as per usual, is pretty decent. There are a few unique tracks made for Warriors Orochi, but most are just taken from Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors soundtracks, so nothing really new, as usual. The voices are god awful also, as Samurai Warriors 2 had extremely bad voices, and most were brought over to Warriors Orochi, and they changed the classic voices that were in Dynasty Warriors 5, which inevitably makes it even worse then it should have been.

The game isn't difficult at all, and is very easy to learn how to play. The game entails you, and a button mashing thumb, as all you need to do to complete the game is bash the X button, slaughtering all that come near you with extremely little variations of attacks. The price should be pretty low now, around the £15 - £20 range for the XBOX360, though as it isn't classed as a 'true' game, it started off at a lower price when it was originally released in September 2007. All in all, this game is half decent, its' fun for a while, but brings little attention once completed, which only takes around 10 - 15 hours to finish, after that, it is an excellent dust collector. It is best for diehard fans, or for those that wish to get involved in KOEI's 'Warriors' series.

Overall: 5.0/10

Summary: Start your hack n slashing mayhem with this quick fan cash-in