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Information Updated: 6/16/2004

Koei knows a cash cow when they see it. Known originally for the Romance of the 3 Kingdom titles, Koei has thrown out 9 of those bad boys with 2 in the last year and a half. What’s more impressive is the amount of Dynasty Warrior titles (and of the like) that Koei has unveiled on the public in the PS2’s short 4 years. You have Dynasty Warriors 1, 2, 3, Tactics 1 and 2, the 2 Extreme Legends series, and the latest Samurai Warriors. What’s more shocking is that sales for the franchise are remarkable considering the similarities that tie the games together. To each his own I guess, this reviewer is just begging for another Kessen personally.

In September this year, Koei will bring out another DW title that ties in with the DW4 name called Empire. When the preview build hit my desk I was hoping for a new RTS/Kessen type of game…but alas, we have the same old same old here, with little new to talk about thus far.

What are new are a 2 player VS mode and an Edit mode. The VS mode puts you up against the CPU or another player in 4 different zones to see who can capture as much land as possible. Edit mode lets you customize your leader. You start by naming your character then you can alter many things; from the hair to the clothes and even the choice from any weapon in the game at your disposal.

Visually the game looks generally like the rest in the series, with an added map showing your conquered areas. The same great frame rate holds up, especially when fighting upwards of 30 foes with no slowdown to endure. Thankfully, while there is a story that unfolds, the game is far from linear. You now can conquer at your own pace and destinations.

Fans will love the frantic game play. Hack and slash technique was never so true than in this franchise. You can jump, charge attack, normal attack, bow attack, and Musou (special) Attack. The action heats up and tried and true to the series you will kill upwards of 300 fallen soldiers in any area.

There still is no online play for the series, and depth and complexity for this title may start becoming too familiar for even the most dedicated fans. It’s still early on in developments, so we hope more modes and features will come in the final version. We’ll have more on the title when it arrives this fall.

Along with the three most influential kingdoms, DYNASTY WARRIORS 4: EMPIRES includes smaller kingdoms not seen in any previous Dynasty Warriors game. There are also new playable warriors and more officer abilities- from powerful new Charge attacks to taunting "Challenges."

Redesigned based on fan requests, the new Character Edit mode triples the number of character models and voices players can use to create their own warrior, plus player-created warriors can use any weapon in the game.

The game's new VS Mode combines the furious multiplayer action of Dynasty Warriors 4's VS and Challenge Modes into one. In VS Mode, players can now send attacking soldiers to the opposing player's screen by defeating enemies with a Musou attack.

More features include:

• New battlegrounds including mountainous regions, a seaside village, and a sweltering desert.
• New battlefield strongholds change gameplay strategies by influencing troop morale and strength.
• New Edit Character models from muscular heroes to lovely maidens.
• Improved enemy artificial intelligence reacts to weaknesses in player's defenses.
• New player-created kingdoms can battle against the Three Kingdoms for control of China.
• Completely non-linear gameplay.
• Captured enemy generals can now join a player's army.
• A bonus "Archives" filled with character and siege weapon models, character-narrated introductions, and a gallery of stunning Dynasty Warriors artwork!