Product Description: Ancient grudge and new mutiny bring an end to the four hundred year reign of the Han dynasty. The once noble empire is divided into three warring states. Dynasty Warriors 4 covers a one hundred year cycle, from civil unrest to the reunification of China under the Jin dynasty.
Amazon.com Review: There's no logical reason the Dynasty Warriors series has such a devoted fan base. The makers have mined the same plot for four installments, based on the same few heroic tales of ancient China. The dialogue is as stilted as ever, and no real surprises unfold. But think of the zealotry people have for goofy, unrealistic kung fu flicks, and you'll start to see Dynasty Warriors' lasting appeal.
If you've never touched an earlier version of the game, here's what to know: Dynasty Warriors is a fighting game series played from the third-person perspective, where you pick a military general as your avatar and fight through across sprawling battlefields. The generals all have distinct personalities, and there are a few women characters included, too. As you campaign, you collect special items--such as the Dragon Amulet, which increases your Musou gauge (Musou allows you to enact special, prolonged attacks on multiple enemies.) You have bodyguards, you kill enemy generals, and along the way your new skill points increase your weapon's power.
With DW4, there are many new additions, only some of which are successful. Charge attacks and items are souped up and truly improved. For example, equipping a magic orb can cause you to freeze enemies in a block of ice. You can edit characters, but with so many good preset ones to choose from, chances are you won't spend a lot of time working on your own. In addition to a better game engine, there's also the option of one-on-one-duels. The maps are immense compared to previous editions, with a lot more variance in what can happen by the end of your mission.
Even with a significant number of new features, it's debatable whether Dynasty Warriors 4 is a true overhaul, or just another release to cash in on the massive popularity of the franchise. Regardless, it's addictive for reasons that almost defy explanation. You just want to clear this act, to get to the next stage, and to reveal the goodies you've received from killing that big boss. It's as simple as that. And at the moment when you can knock down an entire platoon with a couple hits, well, then you'll join the ranks of the dedicated. --Jennifer Buckendorff
Pros:
Many more (and much improved) maps
Complex and compelling charge attack functions
Improved fighting AI makes enemies noticeably trickier
Cons:
"Siege engine" function mostly a novelty
Still tedious retracing of steps, even with speed boots
Disappointing officer customization
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - My personal favorite DW game.
While I believe DW3 is the best in the series, DW4 is my personal favorite for a variety of reasons.
Pros:
*Best looking game in the series.
- Almost a tie between DW4 and DW5. Dynasty Warriors 5 has better draw distance, but DW4 has a better looking interface, IMO. DW4 also has the best looking and most well designed stages (even if they repeat for certain battles).
*Create an Officer.
- Does not require the XL expansion, plus any character can join Musou mode.
*Exceptional RPG-style character progression.
- Ability to upgrade to more item slots, ranks, and use of Orbs is a big plus.
*Production values for sound.
- Voices for characters were probably the best in the series (LuBu, in particular, is mean). As far as sound effects go, the various fighting grunts, slashes and clashes sound very good and/or are less annoying than in the other DW and SW games. This game also has the best soundtrack in the series, it is richer and fuller than the one in DW3. A great variety of tunes and most of the tunes are also quite catchy.
*Gameplay is well balanced.
- New counter attack ability as well as in-game Bodyguard commands make things more tactical and fun. There is also a new jump charge attack as well as make-or-break duels which add some more depth.
*Good learning curve with a high level of challenge.
- The Yellow Turban Menace and Si Shui Gate stages provide a good platform for beginners to sharpen their skills. While stages like the Nanman Campaign, Jian Ye and Xu Chang are real tests for DW veterans (especially on Hard difficulty).
*Alternate stages in Musou Mode.
- Secret Tales stages provide some variety to Musou Mode.
As good as DW4 is, nothing is perfect.
Cons:
*Japanese voice-overs from DW3 have not been included.
- Disappointing, but understandable, with all of the new things that have been added to DW4.
*The new weapon system is good, but linear.
- You are now rewarded more for kill count instead of exploration. Fans of the series either hate this or love it.
*Bow and weapon functionality has been limited (somewhat).
- Bow damage has been reduced, ability to move bow during Musou attack has been removed. Bow lock-on is annoying. The ability to change direction while attacking with your normal weapon has been reduced, but is still present (fortunately).
*Musou mode is largely the same for many of the characters in the same kingdom.
- This is both good and bad, as it allows for unique situations for some characters, but is the same for most others (this depends upon the character and situation).
Cons aside, this is probably the best Dynasty Warriors game in the series. Though it is more linear in some ways than Dynasty Warriors 3 (which is why DW3 is better overall).
Can't decide between DW3 and DW4? If you like more variety, go with DW3. If you like better quality, get DW4.
If you buy one Dynasty Warriors game for PS2, make it this one. Best graphics, best gameplay, best Musou Mode. Also, I recommend anyone to try to find the Empires and Xtreme Legends expansions (though they are rare, I own both).
Rating: - Addictive in small doses. Incredibly annoying in large.
This game has had the same motive since the beginning. Which is to tap the square button repetitively until about 1000 soldiers fall on the floor.
But this is what makes the Dynasty Warriors games their own person and can be quite interesting. It's set in ancient China in the time of the Three Kingdoms (want a history lesson? Tough you're not getting one.). And you can start off Musou mode (the main story) with either of the Three Kingdoms Wu, Wei or Shu. (Tee hee those names sound like phonetic spelling)
Now for every level the easiest way to win is just to simply run straight through a crowd of enemies, kill them in a few button bashes, run to the leader kill him and... YAY YOU WON!!!
However if your a committed gamer like me you will get bored of this and try to play the game properly and that of course is far more enjoyable. With cut scenes and random stuff it makes the game slightly thicker. HOWEVER!!! After playing it solidly for a while YOU WILL GET ANNOYED AT THE SITE OF THIS GAME. It gets sooo repetitive that you'll put it down and play Final Fantasy all over again. Yes there are alot of characters but is that enough? Yes for a little while but it all gets boring in the end.
Buy the game, play it for a week, STOP!!!, then play it again after you had the break. Seriously playing it for too long and you will get bored.
Rating: - A great game
This is a game you just can't enough of! The gameplay and design are unbelieveable!
Rating: - A Great Game
Before I got Dynasty Warriors 4, I use to play it on my uncles' ps2. Then my grandma took me to buy my own copy of it. Now there are only two levels left for me to unlock. My favorite warrior is Lord Ling Tong because he is an awesome fighter! I love the game and I highly recommend it!
Rating: - Great Game!
Koei been at it for years and it keeps getting better and better! DW game are great massive battles and armys. You can easily jump right in and start playing. Contarls are simple. Hit the enemy, knock them in the air and hit them back down. When you get stronger one blow kills and new attacks. It has everthing. Battles of open land where you and hundreds of alliles charge into the enermy and fight for ground. Or suicide stands inside castles. Fight for the wall until it gets desparte and make a final stand in the walls. Form 50 on 50, to 1,000 on 1,000, or the insane naman campaine where it's 1,000 on 100,000 literily!!!
The game follows three main family; Shu the pesants, Wu the father and kids, or the massive army of the evil Cao Cao. With other groups throwen in along the way. You fight for land and power until you find yourself the last survier aganists hundreds of enemys fighting despertly until you slowly and painfuly get slain...
There is now a DW 5 yet at $20.00 more I would stay at this one till the price drops. It's not worth just a few more levels and people.
In the game there is horses of differant colors and elephants. Along the way you can also get secret horses. You can also make your own charerters and bodygurds until you slowly rasie them to be gods. Or just use the other 42!
This game is great. T only for people becomeing one with the ground, no blood. The worst word is dam#. 10 is a good age. Lastly it's a great game!!!
- My personal favorite DW game.
- Addictive in small doses. Incredibly annoying in large.
