Dynasty Warriors 5

[Meng De]

I've spent a lot of time with this since it's US release a few weeks ago. It's fantastic, and has diverted my attention away from DMC:3 and MGS:3!

The graphics engine has had a major overhaul, which really shines in single player mode, the slowdown and fogging of previous editions has all but gone, replaced with some excellent scenery and great draw-distance. The action is ramped up by the sheer amount of peons that assail you, and as their AI has been scaled up, the Sargent and Major classes are quite capable of giving you a decent fight.

This is a return to the single Musou-mode of DW3, with each officer having a story mode and Cg ending each. the game also strives for some semblace of historical accuracy, with key officers dying at the correct times. Each officer has a spoke intro, which is so-so, as some are good (Xiahou Dun's hatred for Guan Yu) some untentionally funny (new boy Ling Tong's "Sun Ce just upped and died!") and others ruined by the awfull backing music.

This is a fantastic final entry in the DW cannon for the PS2 (the XL version not included that is) everything works so well, from the tweaked movesets, to the new attack/defence/supply base system (which really adds alot to both battles and scenery) A special mention goes to the intro which shows Shu poster-boy Zhao Yun taking on millions of Wei's peons with supreme style.

Anyone else playing this?

[Tobal]

waiting to get a new modded Ps2 before i get it, didn't even know the US release was even out yet, after playing tons of DW:empires and SamWarriors its time to move on to a new killing field

[Meng De]

Thanks Tobal, I almost didn't bother posting as I know that there's little interest in the DW series around here. Please let me know what you think when you get it.

I'm still playing through the musou stages, unlocking costumes and characters. I haven't even scratched the surface of weapon/item/saddle/orb collection!

Things I'm loving about DW5 so far: Guan Yu's Escape is Back (yes I know it was in DW4, but the length ruined it) Its a perfect leveling up level again (perhaps the best level in the game) Cao Cao still is my favourite character and there's an cool new system in the AI -

->Open Spoiler<-

when you are fighting a big name officer, if you retreat to get some food mid battle, they will taunt you about it, which really makes your blood boil! it's a fantastic touch.

[Tobal]

Its now ordered

It is strange not many people giving a dam about this game here, but gamefaqs has it the top Ps2 message board, which is brilliant.

[laharl]

I loved this series, but really liked the tactics versions, I like to engage the mind from time to time.
I was thinking of getting this game myself, do you think there will be an "XL" version for this release?
I hope not, that is one thing that annoys me about the series, but money makes the world go round I guess.....
can you give me more details on this game please, i.e number of characters, unlockables, and your opinions on these, a look at longevity would be great too.
Cheers

[Shibusawa jr.]

Thanks Tobal, I almost didn't bother posting as I know that there's little interest in the DW series around here.

Dude, me and my little brother love the DW games. I like that they managed to clear some of the fog and gave the graphics a little tweak, although I'm thinking of waiting for an Empires version. With Kessen III and DDS still sealed I don't have any time for it right now either. Love to hear more impressions though.

->Open Spoiler<-

when you are fighting a big name officer, if you retreat to get some food mid battle, they will taunt you about it, which really makes your blood boil! it's a fantastic touch.

That's cool. There's so many times I died just because I refused to back down.

[Meng De]

I'm glad that it's not just Tobal and myself as usual! I have always wondered about DW's popularity in the UK.

As for an Empires or XL Version - The game has a strong Empires feel already with the new bases system. To explain there are three types of small strongholds around the map which are assigned a type. Defence are harder to take down (and drop defence up bonuses) Attack which have built in arbelests (and give you attack up) and Supply bases which are basically food stores (amazingly handy). Taking these down does affect morale and troop regen. the only real difference to Empires is that bases cannot really change hands. As this is so close to the Empires stucture I'm doubtfull that they will do a version.

My thoughts on XL are that Each time I've purchased one they have never been as fun as the basic game. Good, but only really an add-on. I'd say buy the main release each time.

Laharl - the game has a total of 48 total characters! (maybe 49 as there is a hidden one - Zuo Ci, who is very uber indeed) each with 4 unlockable costumes, 4 individual weapons and movies to unlock. Like the previous ones then you can move on to the saddles, orbs and rare items - plenty to do if you enjoy the collecting aspect. So far I have found myself lured back to the game time after time. If I'm not levelling up to prep for a 4th weapon, I'm trying to complete the story mode of some of the less interesting characters. Nothing has got old yet.

Shibusawa jr. - I too am suffering from a lack of games time. As I said I've had to shelve DMC:3 and MGS:3 for this as well as Front Mission 4. The fact that Kessen 3 comes out in the UK tommorow doesn't help! Rather too many games than too few though

Thanks for your replies - I'll post some more impressions when I have more time - and a few epic battles to recount if I can get around to it.( Looking forward to hearing about it when you pick it up Tobal too.)

[laharl]

thanks for that insight, will have to get this I think.....whenever it gets a pal release...

[Kungfu]

Spent an hour on this yesterday and came away impressed. Noticeable reduction in fogging which improves the game quite alot. New storylines, improved AI, looking forward to spending more time with DW5.

[Meng De]

One problem I'm having is that it seems that Rare Items and possibly 4th weapons are only accessible in single player mode one the best things about this whole series is the awesome co-op mode. I'm also a bit dissapointed that both 3rd and 4th costumes unlock together too, only minor complaints though!

Kungfu - If you havent done so already I'd give Xiahou Dun's musou a go, not only has it some brilliant stages - you get to unlock Guan Yu's escape!

Glad you want it now Laharl, at leat you know that Koei are going to bring this out in Pal-land, (I think the planned date is the 26th of June) despite the wait Koei are always very good to us in the UK.

[Kungfu]

I'll give that a try mate. Your right about co-op mode being the best feature of the series.

Currently using Guan Yu, managed to complete Battle of Si Shui Gate and the Battle of Hu Lao Gate. Really enjoying it so far and I am finding it rather challenging.

[Meng De]

"Forget about Lu Bu!"

If only I had listen to this advice from the esteemed Yuan Shao sooner! Si Shui and Hu Lao are great for huge kill scores, but at early levels Lu Bu, particually at Hu Lao is still a monster.

When I was playing through Cao Cao's story (single player) I was quite leveled up, had full health, attack up, defence up and a musou rage as well. Liu Bei was juggling Lu Bu in the corner of Hu Lao gate it's self (quite clever for the Ai I thought) so I joined in happily taking turns to slowly chip away at his health. This went on for a good few minutes, with poor Lu Bu unable to land. At the 3/4 health mark he goes to his red attack x2 status. This still wont help him as both Liu Bei and myself are still juggling away. Then for some unknown reason the Ai decides it's had enough of this and liu Bei just walks off mid combo. It took Lu Bu three hits. one for the totally useless Shu "leader" the other two to finish me off just as my musou rage was kicking in.

In future I shall listen to Yuan Shao, and never work with Shu again!

Hei Fei (from both side) is a fantastic level too - plenty of challenges with either Gan Ning or Zhang Liao playing the Lu Bu role.

[Tobal]

Got it yesterday, it mixes a lot of SamWars and Empires into mix. Very, very enjoyable, everything been tweaked and built for the previous version, I think the biggest improvement in is the A.I., there a lot more cunning and i noticed the captains put up a fight, I also found it been easier to take on major hassle from likes Lu Meng or Xiahou Dun(sp?) with a rage then it is to take on multiple no-named officers and the story mode is a huge improvement taking a lot of from SW personal missions (Taking Liu Bei?s kid through a huge amount of enemy soldiers rocked).

Another thing that?s changed is the upgraded weapon, just like in SW, better weapons will not just had an extra combo/charge attack onto the chain but make previous charge attacks different. Also bodyguards seems to be actually useful this time round, specially in a joint Musou attack(I love the slowed down, when you launch into the air)

There?s bound to be update to this but likes hope they combine XL and Empires together this time (also give me to the option to position my Officers at the start of battle)


Best game on the system!

[Meng De]

I'm Glad You're enjoying this Tobal, DW5 is fantastic!. I agree with you about how koei have taken the best parts of the last few games and created a masterpiece, I only hope that they will put as much effort into the up-coming Samurai Warriors 2.

The strategy element is something that's missing though, you are right that if you had a greater involvement in troop placing and movement the game would really be worth an add-on. I can only hope that this sort of feature is on the cards for the next-gen DW's

[Tobal]

Story mode is so different to DW3(never play DW4, just empires), you get more personal(and proper) wars but in doing so it seems to cut the story mode length in half, having finished Zhao Yun story i felt quite the anti-climax with just 5 missions, and although it followed the proper timeline of certain people dying when they should and the proper officers being where they are it, misses that 'what if' of DW3 wars.

So im currently going through as Guan Yu, to see if his fight ends wherei expect it to now being the 'what if' timeline is gone.... also i thought i could take Lu Bu this time but got my ass kicked along with my 2 brothers and my Bodyguard when he hit 'MusouRage' to my surprise, i couldn't even block his Musou attack when he launched it, hardest Lu Bu yet.