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Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2
Box art of Dynasty Warriors Volume 2, featuring Xingcai.
Developer(s)	Omega Force
Publisher(s)	Koei
Designer(s)	Fumiya Kato
Series	Dynasty Warriors
Platform(s)	PlayStation Portable
Release	JP: March 23, 2006 NA: October 24, 2006 EU: November 17, 2006 AU: November 30, 2006
Genre(s)	Hack and slash Tactical action
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer

Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 (真・三國無双 2nd Evolution, Shin Sangokumusō Sekando Eboryūshon, Shin Sangokumusou 2nd Evolution in Japan) is a hack and slash video game, part of the widely popular Dynasty Warriors series, developed by Omega Force and published by Koei. The game was released exclusively on the PlayStation Portable.

Gameplay

Identical to other Dynasty Warriors games, the game characters and models are all from Dynasty Warriors 5, but it includes new features and some from Dynasty Warriors (PSP), including multiplayer fight up to 4 players and the ability to trade officers wirelessly with other players. In addition, Vol. 2 fixes the HUD problem found in the original Dynasty Warriors PSP title.

Like the previous Dynasty Warriors PSP title, the game features unique characters from the Samurai Warriors series as special bodyguards. In this game, the characters and their models are taken from Samurai Warriors 2.

Unlike the Dynasty Warriors series' console iterations, the map is divided into a grid system. Each grid contains enemy troops that will retreat if their morale bar hits 0. Sometimes it is necessary to defeat the enemy officers before the enemy retreats.

Each stage usually has two winning conditions, each of which will lead to another possible battle stage. In this way, the story can be quite different each time you play.

The player will earn extra officers after each map is completed. More officers can be gained by either completing a certain character's Musou mode, obtaining 100% in a stage or clearing an entire faction's stages 100%. As the player unlocks more and more officers, the player has a very wide range of characters to choose from as subordinates, with both many advantages and costs. The player can only have between 1 and 4 officers in battle at the same time, depending on the rank of the officers. The player earns more officer command points after each level up.

Some officers only cost 1 command point, but some of the more famous officers cost above the 20 command point mark. Some officers also have special skills you can use by choosing the officer with the D-Pad and then pressing Right on the D-Pad. Most effects are similar to the old 'spoils of war' in previous games, such as replenishing the Musou bar or attack up for 30 seconds. The special abilities can be used every time a star is present on the character's name. The star will then turn into a red circle, which is gradually filled with white, until it becomes a star again.

Stages

Each kingdom (Wei, Wu, Shu, and Other) has its own unique stage map. The path each player takes through the levels depends on conditions met in each level: the levels have either one or two conditions, of which one must be met for victory. The player begins with a limited number of levels; additional levels will be unlocked during gameplay.

All levels have a hidden treasure trove (a couple have two) and/or a "village mission" that the player may conquer during gameplay. Doing so, along with meeting the condition(s) for victory, will unlock the additional levels.

Treasure Trove areas require that you to defeat a strong "Bonus" enemy officer, many of the "Bonus" officers are from the Samurai Warriors series. If you defeat them quickly they will join you.

Village Missions on the other hand involve defeating a certain number of bandits or defending villagers or mayors in a minute. Sometimes the mission can be to defeat the bandit leader. If the mission fails, the village is lost, and the player cannot complete that mission again without reverting to an older save, or playing the map again.

Reception

Review scores

Publication	Score
Eurogamer	7/10
Famitsu	31/40
Game Informer	5/10
GameDaily	5/10
GameSpot	6.1/10
GameSpy
GameZone	6.5/10
Hardcore Gamer	3.5/5
IGN	5.4/10
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine	4/10
PALGN	6/10

The game received "mixed" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of three eights and one seven, for a total of 31 out of 40. GamePro said in their review, "Koei's outdone the first PSP Dynasty. Vol.2 features proper widescreen graphics and a solid engine with a constant framerate (at the cost of only minor draw-in problems). Behind the sharper graphics and the bigger kit of options, though, there's still an unfortunately shallow, repetitive game."

Notes

1. GamePro gave the game 4/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, and two 3/5 scores for control and fun factor.

References

1. IGN staff (October 5, 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 Goes Gold". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
2. "EA Signs North American Distribution Agreement with Koei Corporation for Upcoming Tactical Action Game Samurai Warriors". Electronic Arts. February 24, 2004. Archived from the original on December 16, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
3. Tong, Chen Jia (August 4, 2008). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 Treasure Trove Locations". Neoseeker. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
4. ^ "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
5. McCarthy, Dave (January 18, 2007). "Dynasty Warriors Vol.2". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
6. ^ Freund, Josh (March 15, 2006). "Latest Famitsu reviews - Yggdra Union, Ace Combat Zero, more". GamesAreFun. Archived from the original on March 20, 2006. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
7. Reeves, Ben (December 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2". Game Informer. No. 164. GameStop. p. 156. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
8. Workman, Robert (November 15, 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 Review". GameDaily. AOL. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
9. Navarro, Alex (October 20, 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
10. Leeper, Justin (October 26, 2006). "GameSpy: Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 13, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
11. Hopper, Steven (October 22, 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 - PSP - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
12. Wilde, Thomas "Wanderer" (December 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2". Hardcore Gamer. Vol. 2, no. 6. Prima Games. p. 69. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
13. Lewis, Ed (November 14, 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
14. Joynt, Patrick (December 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 111. Ziff Davis. p. 134. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
15. Jastrzab, Jeremy (December 17, 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 Review". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
16. Smith, D. F. (December 2006). "Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2". GamePro. No. 119. IDG. Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2014.

External links

• Official website (in English)
• Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 at MobyGames

• 2006 video games
• Dynasty Warriors
• Koei games
• Multiplayer and single-player video games
• PlayStation Portable games
• PlayStation Portable-only games
• Video games developed in Japan
• Video games set in China