Samurai Warriors 2

More compelling than "Ninety-Nine Nights," but that's not saying much. The graphics are disappointing and the audio should've been left in its original Japanese. Truly, with CG sequences this good, the use of cheap SoCal voice talent removes any sense of immersion.

If they continue to be this thrilling, this visceral, this bombastically brilliant, then more of the same is absolutely spot on. Sign me up.

Provided the series hasn’t gotten stale for you yet, there is a lot of value here. With 26 characters and a 2 player co-op mode to play, you can sink quite a few hours into this game.

A fun, if simplistic battle game that is certainly well above average and worth giving it a spin if you find it at the right price.

A somewhat major retooling of the combat system has allowed a one-trick pony another chance, as it seems to be a step in the right direction for bringing back those alienated by the milking of ancient Oriental history.

Over-indulge, and you'll get sick of it quickly. [Nov. 2006, p.79]

There must invariably be a demand for this sort of title in the West otherwise it wouldn't be worth the expense of localisation, marketing, and distribution, but surely it's a case of having played one title in either Warriors series, you've played them all.

The models and textures are very low rate, the enemy AI knows only to attack or run and the gameplay - despite having added a couple of additions - is very stale.

The graphics are solid and fighting is actually quite impressive, with the special moves giving variety to the hack’n’slash action. Yet all the time a feeling of déjà vu takes away from the action on the screen.

The gameplay really needs an upgrade before I can recommend this series again. [Nov. 2006, p.130]

One for fans only and should perhaps be avoided by anyone looking for something more.

There’s nothing here in Samurai Warriors 2 that we haven’t seen before. The fact that the shop is the single largest addition to the gameplay should be a good indication where this game is headed, straight to the bargain bin.

The core gameplay is in serious need of an overhaul, though. We've seen this too many times before and are ready for something new. Couple that with painful audio and visuals and it's hard to find a reason to recommend this to any but the hardest of hardcore fans.

Like just about every other sequel in Koei's Warriors franchises, Samurai Warriors 2 offers an overly familiar and ultimately mundane hack-and-slash experience.

Omega Force really needs to go back to the drawing board with this franchise. There are so many things that need to be improved on with this game it is not even funny.

Several modes of mindless violence and one mode of a Monopoly-like board game. There's nothing new or exciting about this title.

Samurai Warriors 2 only has a couple of things to make it feel different- the addition of a Monopoly-esque board game and a purchasing power-up system that, sadly, has little effect on the gameplay. Past that, it's the same hack n' slash game you've been playing for years, with very little changes or features to signify its presence on a next-gen format.

Ultimately, it’s barely any better or worse than the ones that came before it – and probably after as well.

Samurai Warriors 2 lacks the cutting edge Gamestyle was expecting and, for many out there, is an easy target to criticise. Improvements and new additions are recognised, but more work is necessary to revitalise the genre for a new generation.