Samurai Warriors: Chronicles (3DS)

[Silvergun X]

While i've not played too many Dynasty Warriors / Samurai Warriors type games in the past, I've always enjoyed them whenever I've had the chance so I was really looking forward to getting this one on launch.

I had a brief play on this in the early hours of this morning, and I've played through the first 2 missions on Normal difficulty, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

The first thing that you'll notice is how well they've put the 3D effect to use here. No matter how far you've got the slider up or down, it looks pretty much perfect, and the layering on menus, cutscenes, characters etc, all looks spot on.

It's standard DW affair. You're hacking and slashing through the levels with awesome combos while different missions are given to you with different completion and bonus requirements which you've then got to fulfill. Different combos have different uses such as juggling generals up in the air and launching bladed projectiles out at crowds of enemies, it's all great fun.

Ultimate musou attacks look superb in 3D too. Wowowow.

While I don't know if this is completely new to the series or not, the one part I REALLY like is the way you can switch between up to 4 different generals on the fly. When you're controlling one, you can issue orders to the other generals you're partnered with and tell them where to go or what to attack, but at any time you can change over and control them, so it helps a lot with battlefield coverage.

My only gripe with this is the unskippable cutscenes, but thankfully they aren't too long so it's forgiven.

Ignore the crap reviews, get it if you like Dynasty Warriors. Simple as that.

[davek22]

I got this and had to force myself to turn the it off last night otherwise I would have been up all night. It's a great portable version of the franchise.
The 3D effect is really great and the presentation is fantastic. I actually found the 3D helped with the fighting as you can pinpoint better which direction to attack the enemies when surrounded.
It looks like it's got a meaty storyline with plenty of gameplay. Overall maybe my fav of the games I got last night

[Party boy]

This isn't one I'd been giving much thought to, but could be tempted actually, you two make it sounds pretty good! I can't think of any launch games that don't hold some appeal actually... Just a shame I can't buy all of them!

[Strider]

Must admit I've also had a guilty thing for these games. Certainly sounds interesting...

[Silvergun X]

Given this a little bit more of an extended playthrough today, and been learning more of the ins and outs of the combo system. I actually completely forgot you could use the Jump key in the middle of a combo to dash into the enemy, cancel the combo and start again, which has led to some absolutely amazing juggling going on.

This is pretty much necessary on Hard, where everything's going to be swarming you and blocking your attacks. You need to make the most of every opening you've got.

I've been checking through the mission list for each level, however despite clearing all the missions with bonuses on the first level i've only got 8/10 missions completed... Any ideas on how to unlock the other two are welcome :S

[kryss]

This has always been my day one purchase game, glad to hear good things about it.

[Flabio]

Must admit I've also had a guilty thing for these games. Certainly sounds interesting...

You been staying on top of whats they're doing with Dynasty Warriors 7 on 360 and PS3? It looks like they've decided 6 never existed...

This one is on my list if I do decide to get a 3DS while I'm in town today.

[Flabio]

This is fun isn't it? If you have a 3DS and like the Koei 'warriors' games, this is pretty much a no-brainer.

Quite like the way they've done the story progression here too. Rather than chose a character and do 'their' story, you create one instead and play through what would normally be everyone elses storylines instead.

[Party boy]

I take it you decided to get a 3DS to go with this then, haha.

[Strider]

Caved and picked this up yesterday. Enjoying it so far

[kryss]

Gah. HMV near work didn't have this so I got Ghost Recon instead today and ordered from Amazon. Should get it next week sometime.

[koopatroopa90]

This arrived today and love it. 3D is great, especially in the cut scenes (the intro one is fantastic). Had only ever had a quick half hour or so go of this on ps2 before but it's exactly what I was hoping for.

[rmoxon]

I actually think this has some of the best use of 3d I have seen on the system so far, it adds proroper depth tp the battles, if you play it for a bit the switch to 2d you notice the difference stright away and its actualy harder to play.

The game is really too, its typical of the series so you know what youre getting really. One negative though is that it does have really long cut scenes and the missions arent exactly bite sized either which I dont think is great for a handheld title.

[Flabio]

The cutscenes can be skipped (despite what some reviews suggest) by pressing start.

And you can do an 'in battle' save if you need to stop for whatever reason.

I'm really liking this so far. I'm trying to work out if the story has branching in it based on the dialogue choices, it seems like it might from how the end of chapter one goes down. The manual says you can change your characters appearance in the shop, but the option isn't there. Guess it unlocks later on.

Switching between the four characters at will is a pretty cool addition, as is being able to order the silly idiots to move out of the 'power' zones if they're getting themselves killed. You can also use any characters you're 'friends' with when replaying a level (you're only forced to use set ones the first time you do a mission).

They seem back on track with these 'warriors' games after the disappointment of the two Dynasty 6 games and the Strikeforce ones.

[rmoxon]

The cut scenes can only be skipped if you have already watched them, which is annoying, the ones with the guy going on about how 100 different samurai clans fought each other over and over again are increadbley boring and dont relaly add anything to the game IMO. The ones where you talk to the characters are better and at least set up the next mission, but they still somtimes go on a bit.