Samurai Warriors 2 Empires – PS2 – Preview

There’s something evil
brewing in the land of Warriors. One minute you’re a part of an empirical
dynasty – days later you’re swiftly shoved into the middle of a samurai’s
battlefield. How will you deal with this trauma?

Some might deal with it by
running for cover. Others might handle the situation by grabbing the biggest
weapon they can find and charging head first into battle. Those who fall in
the latter category should rest their arms and ready their thumbs: KOEI’s got
a game for you.

Samurai Warriors 2, the
sequel to Dynasty Warriors’s first major spin-off, is getting a spin-off of
its own. Titled Samurai Warriors 2: Empires, this game is not entirely
everything the first was. For starters, there does not appear to be much of an
emphasis on the quirky board game. 

 

Instead the gameplay is a
little more focused on strategy.

“Oooh, strategy! That
sounds like Romance of the Three Kingdoms!”

Now do you see what
happens? You say the word strategy and gamers’ minds automatically travel to a
specific place. And who could blame them? RoTK is a strategist’s dream come
true, delivering the best in large-scale turn-based warfare. Samurai Warriors
2: Empires does not approach that game’s depth. It doesn’t even attempt to
mimic the effects of Vandal Hearts or any other long-forgotten strategy/RPG.
Empires takes its own route, gunning for just the right amount of depth mixed
with the perfect amount of action combat.

The result? Mixed but
promising. The first thing you’ve got to remember about this series is that,
no matter how many features are added, it never really changes. For example,
let’s examine the last game, Samurai Warriors 2. A new mini-game was
introduced: Sugoroku. It was a board game with strong, unofficial ties to
Monopoly. Built for up to four players, Sugoroku was addictive in a way that
was almost sinful – I wanted to spend more time playing it than the actual
game of Samurai Warriors 2. 

 

Samurai Warriors 2:
Empires is a little less risky in its mission to diversify. Before battle
you’ll scroll through a handful of selections that can alter how the mission
starts. Options range from how and who to evade to weapon and tactic
selection. Consult special warriors to mine for minerals (which are traded in
for gold), expedite units (increase troop replenishment rate), cause an enemy
hindrance (decrease opponent troop replenishment rate), fortify your allies
(increase defense), and form alliances with others.

View conditions, and
during combat you’ll be able to give your officers one of four different
orders: All Attack (press up), All Defend (down), All Gather (left) and Auto
(right; use this one to let officers act freely).

The graphics aren’t
looking as sharp as the 360 version – textures aren’t as smooth, backgrounds
aren’t as vibrant, and the resolution isn’t as high. However, they do appear
to be slightly improved over the last version for PlayStation 2. Objects are
still pixelated, but not as much as before. Water flows are still flat (and
look more like a conveyer belt than H2O). But overall the game is crisper.
It’s not a hugely noticeable difference. Casual players are likely to go into
the game without spotting a single change. But they’re there – you just have
to look hard.

Though I doubt anyone
anticipated otherwise, the controls are exactly the same as they were in the
previous game. You have control over the camera, and all combat is executed
via the face buttons. Attacks can be performed either on the ground or in the
air. Leap over short distances, unleash a quick aerial slash, and enjoy a
smile as your enemies are blown away. 

 

Hacking and slashing its
way into stores this month, Samurai Warriors 2: Empires is just the thing
gamers need to get their monthly fix of Dynasty and/or Samurai Warriors.
Expect to spend hours going through the enemy-assaulting motions the series is
known for producing. Expect to be surrounded by opponents from all sides,
without warning and with very few breaks. Most of all you should expect to
pound your right thumb into the Dual-Shock 2 until the cows come home – and
until the eventual Samurai Warriors 3 is released.