Dynasty Tactics

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Koei
  • Release Date: Sep 17, 2002
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. netjak
    97
    When I started playing the game I wanted to call everyone I knew and tell them how much this game rocked. I wanted to grab people by the ear, sit them down and have them watch me fight a battle and yell out, "You see that! THAT'S why I play games, baby!"
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    90
    DT does a great job of showing what the genre is capable of on a next gen system. [Oct 2002, p.146]
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  3. GameSpy
    83
    Chinese chess on steroids.
  5. GameSpot
    82
    A bit more work on the broad-scale strategy portions and the interface could have made Dynasty Tactics virtually above reproach.
  6. Game Informer
    80
    My only major complaint has to do with the maps: many are simply uninspired, and lack variety. [Nov 2002, p.128]
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  7. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    The gameplay is gleefully wrought with complexity. However, hardcore strategists will surely find this title simplistic.
  8. All Game Guide
    80
    A title that will appeal to all but the most hardened of action fans, offering substantial reward for your time investment and a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that few other games can provide.
  9. GamePro
    80
    Dynasty Tactics makes the sometimes slow and daunting challenge of launching grid-based military campaigns fun and entertaining.
  10. IGN
    76
    This is a game that most people will roundly detest.
  11. GamerWeb Sony
    75
    Strategy games are never meant to be flashy or hectic, but if they become too slow and complicated for the sake of being complicated…well, then we have a problem. Dynasty Tactics walks a very fine line here, and luckily, does not fall into the aforementioned abyss.
  12. Electric Playground
    75
    A challenging and original strategy game that is certainly welcome to those who GET strategy gaming.
  13. PSM Magazine
    70
    It's more like chess, where forward thinking is imortant, rather than immediate reaction. [Nov 2002, p.52]
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  14. PSX Nation
    70
    If “PTO IV” and “ROTK VII” rock your boat then this is a must-own PS2 DVD.
  15. G4 TV
    60
    A lot of work obviously went into the battle engine, but it's buried underneath such a thick layer of dry minutiae and inconsequential plot.

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best PS2 Game of 2002
33
#33 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 35
  3. Negative: 4 out of 35
  1. VLG
    Aug 22, 2023
    7
    Interesting, but overly complex. I remember expending hours and hours playing it, and discovering new mechanics near the end of the game.
  2. Sylictic
    Jul 8, 2023
    6
    A passable take on the three kingdoms saga. Focusing heavily on strategy and turn based combat could have worked however the difficulty spikeA passable take on the three kingdoms saga. Focusing heavily on strategy and turn based combat could have worked however the difficulty spike after the first couple of hours of gameplay tied with no real way to level up your characters to make the difficulty more bearable make this one of koeis weaker translations of their favourite novel.… Full Review »
  3. tomflanders
    May 22, 2020
    8
    Brilliant game. Basically a giant game of Three Kingdoms themed chess. Really well thought through
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