Review: Warriors Orochi 2 (360)

We’d love to visit the studio that makes this series because it’d certainly be an interesting experience. To see talented people wasted on something that does nothing to further the world of gaming. Perhaps even obtain an interview with a designer forced to create this using an archaic engine that wouldn’t seem out of place on the N64. And therein lies what could be the biggest mistake with Warriors Orochi 2. Even the now tradition action packed cut scene at the start is starting to show its age. What was originally used to showcase the gameplay now looks like it should actually be playable rather than a simple introduction to the action lying within.

The game engine only really starts to show its age especially when you enter your first battle. It’s obvious from the screenshots that Orochi 2 looks like a dog, what the pictures don't highlight is that when the action heats up you even get slowdown. When an action game looking as lovely as Devil May Cry and Ninja Gaiden can get by without the action dropping to 10fps then it’s inexcusable for something like this. In adition the pop-up and fog is very evident, which once again brings up our comparison with the N64. It’s so sloppily made that it all seems like a College student put this together for a class project.

Hilariously the developers believe there is an element of strategy involved and like the original Warriors Orochi, before entering the battlefield you’re treated to an overview of the battle ground. Various positions of enemies are highlighted, as well as your starting position, but really what is the point when all you’re going to do is running from one end constantly hammering the X and Y buttons? The only scrap of ‘tactics’ that comes into play is running back to defend your base when enemy reinforcements appear.

Combat is the same as before with light and strong attacks, with the special move that obliterates everyone within a short radius. There’s a block button which we rarely used and you can ride horses. Though you have to stand still while lining yourself up with the beast otherwise your character just ends up jumping around foolishly. They’re only used as a speedy way to reach the other end of the map though. There’s no tactical advantage in using them because your strength is virtually the same and after one hit you end up flying off it.

Like previous iterations there’s plenty of meat on the bones when it comes to content you’ll become so bored after a few missions you’ll throw it out of the disc tray straight into the bin. But if you’re a sucker for punishment and get some sort of satisfaction from hitting people with sticks then you have a variety of mission scenarios as well as survival and dream modes. Survival should be familiar with most people, kill as many people as possible before you get beaten to death. Dream mode is slightly more interesting in that it’s the same as the main story missions, but set in more fantastical environments. For instance one bit had us fighting in a hell-like environment.

Like Gamestyle stated in the opening paragraph, we tried to get at least some enjoyment out of this, but failed. Warriors Orochi 2 is awful and it couldn’t be any worse if it made your Xbox 360 explode. We really wish this series would die a death.

Rating: 2 / 10

Words by Adam Gulliver