Review: Warriors Orochi (PS2)

Warriors Orochi sees the amalgamation of Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors in what could be argued is the final nail in the coffin for both KOEI lines.   The two games suffer from the same stagnant, limited and (for many) repellent game play that has refused to develop or surprise gamers since their arrival.

Bringing together two historically separate eras required an unusual twist and the developer have achieved this via the Serpent King.  This demon has utilised his immense power to call forth the best fighters from both the Dynasty and Samurai Warriors franchises.   For fans this is a chance to end arguments about which fighter is best and so on, but for the rest of us it is merely a puzzling concoction.

Unsure of who is the best opponent, the Serpent King calls in both opposing sides from either game, meaning four forces occupy Warriors Orochi.  You can play through each viewpoint, unlocking more characters as you plough through the missions.  Given the experience point system and upgradeable weaponry, only the most dedicated and enthusiastic player will pursue each and every character, as Warriors Orochi offers a sizeable roster.   Once you’ve started with your initial characters, then it is really advisable to max out their attributes before trying someone else.   Especially when you eventually face the Serpent King himself, who is no pushover.  The game relies on three person teams where you can immediately select colleague with a press of the button.  This means that any character specific weaknesses are quickly overcome and you should only limit your improvements to a trio of fighters.

Having recently experienced the Xbox 360 version of this title, Gamestyle was expecting the PlayStation 2 edition to be visually inferior.   Admittedly it does lack the extra gloss displayed by the Microsoft portable heater, but still manages to convey the large levels with some style.  It is no technical PS2 tour de force by any stretch of the imagination, even the cut sequences are decidedly average, but the predicted fog is somehow kept in check and the environments well populated by AI redundant soldiers.   However for a release where Gamestyle wanted to be surprised in terms of the playing experience, these visual bonuses are diminished. 

Being able to immediately change to another of your three characters is a new twist for either Dynasty or Samurai Warriors.   Whereas the PlayStation 3 title, Genji: Days of the Blade, introduced this dynamic to enable puzzle elements and obstacles that only one type of character could overcome, with Warriors Orochi we’re spared any such invention.   Instead that staple old formula of hack n’ slash returns once more to really hammer home the limited outlook the game employs.

In KOEI’s defence the reluctance to change is perhaps due to the huge popularity of these types of games in Japan.  Somehow our Asian counterparts love these feudal releases just as much as their Square-Enix role-playing titles.   Why change something so successful when you can just repeat it again and again?   The fear of delivering something that turns away loyal fans must be a frightening risk when developing the next instalment in your flagship series.   This dogmatic refusal to embrace new features and trends in video games is what makes Warriors Orochi so attractive to many. After all why take risks with your money when you’re perfectly happy knowing exactly what this type of game will deliver?

Even fans will be disappointed with the lack of modes within Warriors Orochi as outside the main story there is little variety or distraction within this title.  Yes, the main story may offer around seventy characters but having to use these across the same missions is frustrating.   Why they did not include a more strategic element or ability to create your own missions is beyond reason?   Adding more depth and intrigue to this release may have attracted new fans or at least sparked some interest in the next Dynasty or Samurai Warriors releases.

As expected Warriors Orochi can only be an attractive proposition to dedicated fans of either series or even then only the most loyal of elite.   The refusal to develop the gaming experience from what has gone before, is ultimately killing any interest in these types of releases.   KOEI should wipe the slate clean and start again from the ground up, take that risk and perhaps reap the benefits.   Warriors Orochi is almost ground zero and the only way is up.

Rating: 2 / 10

Words by Jason Julier