Game Card
Warriors Orochi 2 (Xbox360)
- Publisher:
- Koei
- Developer:
- Koei
- US Release:
- 19.09.2008
- EU Release:
- n/a
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Type:
- Action
- Reality Factor:
- Fantasy
- Perspective:
- Third-Person
- Age:
- Ancient Times
Review
We play Warriors Orochi 2...
Koei's 'Warriors' series has become so entrenched in gaming folklore at this point that it's essentially self-sufficient. It's virtually impossible to find any gamer of PS2 age and above that hasn't played one of the numerous titles in the lineage, with the developer churning out game after game for the same rabid fanbase year after year. Warriors Orochi brings together the two pillars of the franchise (Dynasty and Samurai), in one all-encompassing package for PS2 and Xbox360, adding precious little but depth of content. The mechanics will be familiar, graphical quality remains sub-par, and the structure of the missions remains unchanged. Here we go again.
Last year's Orochi would seem to be the logical point of conclusion for the Koei franchise, and yet here we are with iteration number two based on the same engine. The story picks up roughly where our heroes previously left off; with the demon lord Orochi vanquished and each of the three factions threatening to return to their warring ways, a timely resurrection of the serpent king once again unites everybody to do battle under one flag. Orochi 2 features the same mind-numbing cheesy voicework and the same over-the-top story arc that'll either delight you in its stupidity or make you want to snap the disc in two – again, no change there.
The action also strictly adheres to tradition. Last year's Musou attack system returns in all its semi-glory, with the same satisfaction garnered from chaining together triple Musou strikes to clear out a screen of enemies. As with every Warriors game to date, difficulty levels are largely a matter of setting the bar on a considerable war of attrition – choosing hard simply means you'll have to tap the X and Y buttons roughly twice as many times to complete the game. Tactics are limited to choosing from a couple of different routes through each battlefield, swapping out each of your three characters to allow them to rest, and selecting the right upgrades to enhance your progression.
Weapon synthesis and an expanded ability system also make a comeback, adding a simplistic layer of RPG trappings to the process. Unfortunately, the same technical limitations abound in Orochi 2, with muddy texturing betraying the 360 version's PS2 roots, and slowdown that errs on the side of disaster at all times. Indeed, Orochi 2 appears to suffer even more than its predecessors in this regard, surely this has to be the last outing before a substantial upgrade? I wouldn't put money on it.
Note: Koei promisses that a patch is currently in development for the Xbox 360 version, as slow downs are casuing a few problems with the game. So these issues should be fixed soon.
The real meat of the fan service once again comes in the form of an expanded character roster, this time boosting the count to just over 90 in total. All of the previous champions return, bolstered by six brand-new creations and the entire cast of Samurai Warriors 2. In this sense, you'll certainly never be short of anything to do, as each individual protagonist can be levelled and progressed as you see fit, making Orochi 2 a veritable selection box of fighting styles and character design. Balancing your party of three with technical, speed and power styles generally proves most rewarding, but others may differ. Experimenting in this regard can prove enjoyable, provided you're not bored already.
And that's really the crux of every Warriors game to date. If you can ignore (or even enjoy) the cheesy storyline and almost intentionally bad acting - and you're the type of person to get mesmerised by hypnotic button-mashing and slowly-increasing body counts – then you'll love it, regardless of any review score. For everyone else, it'll be a mind-numbing experience that simply isn't relevant in this day and age. Time for a change Koei.
Top game moment: Chaining Musou attacks and clearing a screen of enemies - again
Last year's Orochi would seem to be the logical point of conclusion for the Koei franchise, and yet here we are with iteration number two based on the same engine. The story picks up roughly where our heroes previously left off; with the demon lord Orochi vanquished and each of the three factions threatening to return to their warring ways, a timely resurrection of the serpent king once again unites everybody to do battle under one flag. Orochi 2 features the same mind-numbing cheesy voicework and the same over-the-top story arc that'll either delight you in its stupidity or make you want to snap the disc in two – again, no change there.
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 |
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The action also strictly adheres to tradition. Last year's Musou attack system returns in all its semi-glory, with the same satisfaction garnered from chaining together triple Musou strikes to clear out a screen of enemies. As with every Warriors game to date, difficulty levels are largely a matter of setting the bar on a considerable war of attrition – choosing hard simply means you'll have to tap the X and Y buttons roughly twice as many times to complete the game. Tactics are limited to choosing from a couple of different routes through each battlefield, swapping out each of your three characters to allow them to rest, and selecting the right upgrades to enhance your progression.
Weapon synthesis and an expanded ability system also make a comeback, adding a simplistic layer of RPG trappings to the process. Unfortunately, the same technical limitations abound in Orochi 2, with muddy texturing betraying the 360 version's PS2 roots, and slowdown that errs on the side of disaster at all times. Indeed, Orochi 2 appears to suffer even more than its predecessors in this regard, surely this has to be the last outing before a substantial upgrade? I wouldn't put money on it.
Note: Koei promisses that a patch is currently in development for the Xbox 360 version, as slow downs are casuing a few problems with the game. So these issues should be fixed soon.
 |
 |
|
The real meat of the fan service once again comes in the form of an expanded character roster, this time boosting the count to just over 90 in total. All of the previous champions return, bolstered by six brand-new creations and the entire cast of Samurai Warriors 2. In this sense, you'll certainly never be short of anything to do, as each individual protagonist can be levelled and progressed as you see fit, making Orochi 2 a veritable selection box of fighting styles and character design. Balancing your party of three with technical, speed and power styles generally proves most rewarding, but others may differ. Experimenting in this regard can prove enjoyable, provided you're not bored already.
And that's really the crux of every Warriors game to date. If you can ignore (or even enjoy) the cheesy storyline and almost intentionally bad acting - and you're the type of person to get mesmerised by hypnotic button-mashing and slowly-increasing body counts – then you'll love it, regardless of any review score. For everyone else, it'll be a mind-numbing experience that simply isn't relevant in this day and age. Time for a change Koei.
Top game moment: Chaining Musou attacks and clearing a screen of enemies - again
User Comments
By sfabobby03 (SI Veteran Newbie) on Sep 25, 2008
By RastaKid (SI Veteran Newbie) on Sep 25, 2008
