Samurai Warriors 2 Review:

Samurai Warriors 2 is an epic hack-n-slash title. You have the ability to unlock 26 playable characters (24 characters playable in story mode). Those who like enjoy the button-masher genre, will appreciate the extended amount of game time Samurai Warriors 2 offers for those on a quest to get 26 characters to level 50 and obtain each of their best weapons (like me ).

SW2 offers 4 playable modes: Story, Free, Survival, and Sugoroku. Story mode is where you take your avatar though 5 stages revealing your avatar’s role in the story of the warring Japanese states. This is the mode that you must complete to unlock the majority of the available officers and a bonus stage. In Free mode you are able to play with any of the characters you have unlocked in practically every scenario. In survival mode, you are able to see how far you can advance within a castle of infinite floors. Sugoroku mode is mini game similar to Monopoly. I am disappointed with the lack of a officer creation mode, especially since it was available in the previous Samurai Warriors.

In SW2, you have the ability to develop your officers through gaining levels, acquiring skills, and obtaining weapons. Skills can be learned by defeating enemy officers, or purchased at the shop. Weapons have 4 levels of quality and can be upgraded to increase your officers attributes. The level 4 weapons can only be obtained on the hardest difficulty levels, upon fulfilling certain conditions. Some of these conditions are overwhelming and frustrating, as they can demand your presence in multiple locations on the battlefield simultaneously.

Each character has a string of attack combinations they can employ, which expands as the character increases in level. Many combinations have special utilities in combat, such as stunning effects, attacking all enemies in a radius, and triggering an elemental effect from a weapon. Also, each character has two unique special abilities they can use in combat. Some of abilities are pretty worthless, while others are really useful.

SW2’s storyline is surprisingly intriguing. The story revolves around Japanese lords, contending for the goal of unifying Japan. Each character’s storyline intertwines with one another’s characters storyline. The overall storyline varies depending on your character, but maintains a general consistency. However, my opinion of the SW2 storyline is bias; as I am interested in Japanese culture.

SW2 is an enjoyable title; although those who are not fans of the genre will probably be bored of the redundant game play. SW2 offers the amazing ability to allow the player to single handedly destroy hundreds of enemy troops. Also, In-game objectives also add an element of strategy, which can be used to turn the tide of a battle. Those who have enjoyed previous Koei titles will want to pick this one up.

Scores:

Story: 9
Gameplay: 8
Graphics: 8
Overall: 8

2 Comments to “Samurai Warriors 2 (XBox 360)”

1. Gamergirl07 — December 1, 2007 @ 2:51 am
   

   This review has hit the nail on the head…this game can be fun and frustrating.

2. fjbnheipsssf — January 31, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
   

   fjbnheipsssf…

   Anyway, you should do your best …

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