"It's the kind of DW we know and love, but with a twist"

Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires was quite an excellent game, yet it had it's limitations. These are fixed in the new Empires game, so DW4: E fans will be amazed at this game!

Graphics: 9/10
The graphics are quite perfect in every sense, and extends to more than just scenery. The way your character moves and attacks is very realistic, and the camera shifting in this game is also very convenient.

Sound: 9/10
The sound effects are quite lacking in my opinion, as they are not very variable. However, the soundtrack is perfect, and it has stage music from DW5, DW4, DW3 and DW2!!! Furthermore, you can choose your music on each stage as well!!! My personal favorite stage music is DW4's Guan Du music: "In Full Bloom".

Gameplay: 10/10
The gameplay is the most important part of any game, and Koei went to great lengths to make it brilliant. You choose a certain time period (DW4: E players know that you can choose only one time period in that game) and take control of a force, such as Liu Bei or Cao Cao. You can even choose minor ones such as Yan Baihu. You then improve your army and lands with policies suggested by your advisers, and station your officers in different territories. After that you can vie for another ruler's territory or defend your own. As you take more territories you will hire more officers and your force will start to grow. There are six time periods in this game, and a fictional one with which you can create your own land with your own officers. You can even create your own officers like in DW5: XL, and all DW4 games.

Replayability: 10/10
The replayability in this game is nearly infinite. I mean, consider it. There are six time periods and around 10-15 rulers in each. 6 times 15 equals 90. It takes around three hours to complete a game if you're a quick player, and 90 times 3 is 270. That's 270 hours of entertainment, and then you have Free Mode stages you can play at any time AND the fictional scenario! Therefore, the replayability is indeed near infinite.

Overall: 10/10
This game is quite simply flawless. If you asked me to say something negative about it, I couldn't. DW4: E players will enjoy this sequel, and those who haven't played an Empires game will find a brilliant new strategy game to play.

Buy or Rent?
Buy. There's too many hours of gameplay to continuously rent this. Just buy it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/08/06