KOEI’s been hammering out games and spin-offs for their Dynasty Warriors series for years now. Dynasty Warriors 2 seems to be the title that set off the tangent that the series is on, as each subsequent release has been derived from the formula offered in that game, namely dozens of on-screen enemies and plenty of running around and button-mashing. Unfortunately, this formula hasn’t really gone anywhere since the series began, and though several different franchise spin-offs and systems have been home to the series, they’ve all fallen into the same redundant rut.

Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Samurai Warriors 2 Empires is in many ways the exact same game you’ve been playing for years now. Although it does feature some strategy elements to break up the monotonous one-button attack combat, most of what’s here is still more of the same. If you haven’t been a fan of the series up until now, then Samurai Warriors 2 Empires certainly won’t change your mind.

The point behind the Samurai (and Dynasty) Warriors franchise is to put the player in actual battles that took place in medieval Japan. You lead your troops against many opponents, hacking and slashing your way through enemy infantry and working your way across the battlefield, killing generals and other leaders.

Most of the action involves just that. There’s a whole lot of running around and going back and forth between points on the map, as you assist your other generals who may be in need of assistance or snuff out an opposing leader. The combat is very simplistic, involving little more than tapping the X Button rapidly in order to get your character to perform rudimentary combos.

The real mitigating factor behind the game (and the reason why it has the “Empires” moniker) is the strategy elements. You can access strategy options that will enable you to configure your assault before it begins (or during it, for that matter). You can pick out fiefs, generals, lieutenants, and a variety of other characters that you’ll want on the battlefield. You can also impose conditions on the overall battle, including time limits the amount of allotted officer deaths. The game seems to offer a robust system of customizations that you can use to set up your distinct plan of attack.

Unfortunately, that feels all but lost once the actual combat comes in an the strategy system comes crumbling down, replaced with button-mashing and running from point A to point B. Repetition is a problem that the series has experienced since the early days, ironically.

Graphically, the game won’t impress you very much. Aside from the HD resolutions, you’ll be hard-pressed to consider this a next-gen title, as it looks almost exactly like the PS2 version, complete with lousy issues like draw-in and weak textures. The game moves along at a pretty good framerate, but that’s unfortunately all it really has to offer on the visual side of things.

The sound doesn’t fare much better. The voice acting and script are pretty ridiculous and borderline laughable at times, and the techno/Japanese traditional music feels pretty out of place and distracting.

So, Samurai Warriors 2 Empires is another Samurai Warriors game. Which is to say that it’s another Dynasty Warriors game, and that’s pretty much all you can say about it. The joy you can derive from playing it ultimately stems from your own tolerance in buying the exact same game over and over again.

Gameplay: 6.0
While the Empires moniker denotes some degree of strategy elements, most of the game falls into the same ol’ button-mashing repetition. You fight large groups of enemies, occasionally killing off a leader, and so on. Basically, this is the same game you’ve been playing for years.

Graphics: 6.0
The game has all the requisite boosts, like high-definition resolutions, but otherwise isn’t much different from the PS2 version. Noticeable draw-in and some murky textures don’t really scream out “next-gen”.

Sound: 6.0
The voice acting and dialogue feels pretty stiff, and the weird techno-esque music intermixed with Japanese traditional feels like something that should be in a spy movie more than Samurai Warriors 2 Empires.

Difficulty: Medium

Multiplayer: 5.5
Two-player split screen co-op but no online play.

Concept: 4.5
KOEI seriously needs to come up with something new for the series.

Overall: 5.5
Samurai Warriors 2 Empires is yet another non-distinct entry in the series.