Description: For those that are not fully aware of Dynasty Warriors, it’s typically a hack n’ slash action fighting game, based on the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” historical story from around 180AD to 260 AD. DW5 Empires is the second Empires game to date, and is heavily based on the stand alone version of Dynasty Warriors 5. Using the same fighters and basic battle mechanics thrown into a new and exciting tactical spin-off to the game. The general idea of Empires is to take full control over China with a preset army based on the historically timeline, or completely fantasize one and create a hand picked army to try dominate China.

Story Review: Being a tactical spin-off of DW5 there is no major story plots to witness in the game, the main story is your own basically. With that said, the game does offer a number of scenarios based on that historical timeline, with officers allocated quite accurately to whom they served at that point in history. Those that are keen on the history on the Three Kingdoms will likely appreciate this great addition. Also during & after missions you will witness small interactions between the characters to help tell some parts of the historical/novel story, such as Cao Cao sounding worried about Xiahou Dun losing his eye on the battle field. And if you simply want to create an army with a mixed group of Warriors you can, the option for pre-set scenarios; or a completely fantasized one are available to you.

Overall there is not too much to offer in terms of fluent historical story, aside the pre-set templates and the odd historical based battle, like the battle of Chi-Bi – which tend to be available only one per campaign. But the games strength is about making your own story while dominating China, just be sure your keen on a game which sells variables and not too much historical story and you shouldn’t be disappointed. 7/10

Battle System: Clearly the base of the Battle System is alike to Dynasty Warriors 5. Although added to the traditional hack n’ slash battle system is much more strategy and control over your allied officers as a battle unfolds. You can command you’re allied officers to only defend certain bases, attack nominated units, or simply leave them to do as they please. With the right strategy and placement of your allied officers you can have more control over battle, and no longer have the officers foolishly wondering alone into enemy territory and inevitably getting themselves defeated without you even noticing it…

Empires is also a perfect title to play as two players, having two competent officers attempting to defend bases, attack opponents etc is far greater then relying on the CPU to do it for you, which you’ll find simply cannot be successful when the chips are down – having not one but two to tip a battle on the head is invaluable to success; practically if your playing on hard!. It also allows it to be very safe to simply have your other allies defending, while you and your friend move on to dominate the map. The one notable annoyance about it for me however, is that even when player 2 falls it’s game over; yet if the CPU fell they can come back providing you have the resources for it; it would have been nice if they could too return like the CPU, so just have a decent ally and don’t get defeated!

Empires also really shows off the fact it has 48 unique characters in the game, you will have an abundance of officers to choose from (depending on timeline of course), as well as hundreds of generic officers to compile a great army without too many problems, this is one of the areas where SW2 stumbles as it has near half the unique officers to choose from.

Bodyguards are no more, which is a little disappointing since DW5 have the best bodyguards yet in the DW series. Having said that you can just as easily send one of your allied officers to do exactly as you do, and you effectively can create one. So all is not lost in gaining additional protection, for those that feel they need it.

Overall it’s the same great Battle System from Dynasty Warriors 5, with some additional variables to enjoy it in a new and exciting manner. 8.5/10

Planning/Pre-Battle: This is where the strength of DW5 Empires is witnessed. You can train more troops, try recruit officers; further develop your weapons; create new items, build/cease allegiances and an abundance of other pre-battle options which can be applied to your future battles. The pre battle planning can be somewhat compared to that of the Kessen III ilk; which I feel is another successful Koei title.

The options for pre-planning etc are greater then that in witnessed in DW4: Empires as well; with more policies available and ability to select ones you desire, and not rely on your officers selecting them is a massive bonus and gives you even more control then before! These elements I feel make the typical Dynasty Warriors experience very different, but amazing. For those that wish for a little additional strategy then this is a perfect Dynasty Warriors installment for that.

The only real criticism here is if you’re playing two players, you might end up arguing over what polices to choose, or get impatient waiting for the other during planning – as clearly it’s not as fast to jump into like with DW5; just make sure you have a patient and reliable friend and that hopefully won’t be an issue!

Overall the planning options are fantastic, and add far more control and variables for your future battles. 8.5/10

Difficulty: The difficulty can depend heavily one how you plan your actions in battle, what tactics you wish to use, and also whether you wish to use lower level officers. One thing that I really appreciate about the game is you can effectively make it as hard as you wish, if you want just to finish it or really challenge yourself just a few pre-battle adjustments can make the difference; then if that’s not enough you could always change the core difficulty to either Easy or Hard depending on your skill level. Difficulty control I believe is a big win in Empires, an area which should not disappoint. 9/10

Replay Value: If you prefer the idea of a strategy addition to your favourite Dynasty Warriors style battles you will easily find yourself playing it again and again, add that with the various preset scenarios and 48 unique characters available in Dynasty Warriors provides you with near endless possibilities. Any Dynasty Warriors or fans of action/strategy games should love it, and keep coming back for more. The only weakness it’s not as easy to pick up and play like DW5, but considering what it has to offer in terms of countless possible variables I don’t find that a major issue at all. 8/10

Final Thoughts: If you love the hack n’ slash style Dynasty Warriors, but are interested in adding a little more strategy into the mix then it’s a must buy; also if your after a title which can really allow for great two player support this becomes a really great game. Although I will admit those new to the series would be better off with DW5 first, to better understand what DW is all about first; otherwise your unlikely to enjoy what is to offer in Empires as much as possible.

Rating: 7.5/10

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• Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires Front and Back
  
  

• Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires Disc