Dynasty Warriors 5

Aside from the added Japanese voice acting, it's pretty much the same as the PlayStation 2 version.

After five home console installments, multiple platform releases and millions in sales, Dynasty Warriors has firmly established itself as the Tom Hanks of video gaming: it's mostly predictable, unrepentantly contrived--and yet still a venerable cash cow. But like those enduring Hanks fans, it's the risk-free theatrics that make Koei's series so successful. Number 5 on Xbox is no different.

Dump the Dubs
The biggest weaknesses of the U.S. version are the poor writing and voice acting--the Xbox version at least fixes the latter by offering the original Japanese voices. Aside from that, it's exactly the same as the PlayStation 2 version. Run around and bash thousands of soldier clones, and face the occasional officer. Teamwork between your bodyguards does give a new angle to gameplay, allowing you to perform long juggle combos against enemy officers. While the generic foot solider masses are as brainless as ever, the officers themselves have been given a slight boost in A.I., and require a bit more strategizing to beat. It's fun--if you still haven't tired of the same basic formula.

Despite being on the more graphically capable Xbox, sadly the visuals are nearly identical to the PlayStation 2. Music remains gratingly repetitive, but the additions of Japanese voices do help to make the experience more bearable. Originality has never been the franchise's strength; but as one of the top selling games in Japan a little cliche never did Dynasty Warriors any harm.

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