is a video game developed by Koei and Omega Force for the Sony PlayStation 2. It is the sequel to Warriors Orochi, a crossover video game of the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series, and the most recent entry in the Warriors franchise. The game was released on September 23 in North America and September 19 in Europe. A version for the Xbox 360 was released on September 4, 2008 in Japan, and alongside the PS2 releases in North America and Europe. A PSP version has been released in Japan, North America and Europe.
Plot and Characters
Following
the defeat of Orochi at the end of the first game, the new land
consisting of the warriors from the Three
Kingdoms Era of China
and the
Warring States period of Japan
found
peace. It was, however, not destined to last. Former
officers under the Orochi army broke away and formed their own
armies, while others even not affiliated with Orochi began to
create armies of their own as well. All the while, an evil plot is
in motion behind the scenes, to revive the greatest evil the world
has ever known: Orochi himself.
The first
Warriors Orochi boasts a roster of 79 playable
characters spanning both the
Dynasty Warriors and
Samurai Warriors series. This game introduces a total of
13 new characters, including characters new to the
Warriors franchise. Along with all the characters from the
first game returning, 92 characters encompass the roster of
Warriors Orochi 2.
Several existing characters from the
Warriors games that
did not appear in
Warriors Orochi make their debut in the
sequel. For the first time since
Dynasty Warriors 3,
Fu Xi and
Nu Wa are playable,
complete with updated character models. Additionally, because this
game is released after
Samurai
Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends,
Yoshimoto Imagawa's updated character
model,
Kojiro Sasaki,
Katsuie Shibata,
Toshiie Maeda ,
Motochika ChÅsokabe and
Gracia are included.
In addition, there are other characters, new to the
Warriors franchise, that appear as well:
- Taigong
Wang, also known as Jiang Ziya, was a legendary
military strategist and the most famous Prime Minister from the
Zhou Dynasty of China
. He
is the one who can easily outmatch Da Ji's strategic thinking and
ordered her execution personally in their own world. He has a
rather cocky and egotistic personality. He uses a fishing rod as a
weapon.
- Kiyomori
Taira was a military general from the Heian Period of Japan
. He
is allied with Orochi and is part of his resurrection. He uses a
set of gigantic prayer beads as a weapon.
- Yoshitsune
Minamoto was another military general from the Heian
Period, opposing Kiyomori. He can fight Lu Bu evenly match and even
unscathed, which surprised Wu. He wields a lightsaber-like gauntlet
that is attached to his arm and can fire energy projectiles with
it. He is a rather typical samurai.
- Sun Wukong, also
known as The "Monkey King", is the main character from Journey to the West, one of the
Four Great Classical
Novels of Chinese literature
(which includes Romance of the Three
Kingdoms). As in every incarnation of him, he utilizes his
famous Jingu Staff as his weapon. In
order to be released from confinement by Kiyomori, Sun Wukong
fights for the Orochi army. He is a playful monkey and also quite
arrogant.
- Himiko was the
ancient Japanese shaman queen known for her relationship with the
Kingdom of Wei of China. She utilizes a set
of energy-firing Dogu dolls. She has a sister-like relationship
with Da Ji and both are very protective of each other.
- Orochi X (Shin Orochi in Japanese version) is
the revived form of Orochi. Having been revived by Kiyomori Taira
and Da Ji, this new form of Orochi is more powerful and evil than
before. He utilizes his same scythe as his first form, but has a
more powerful moveset.
There are also two characters, Dodomeki and Gyuki, that are
playable only in Survival and VS modes only. They are modeled after
two new classes of Orochi generic generals. Dodomeki is a
speed-type character that shares a similar moveset to
Kotaro Fuma, while Gyuki is a power-type
character that possess a unique moveset.
Shu Story
When
Da Ji has been spotted hiding out in Shi
Ting, Liu Bei decides to set out himself with a small force to pay
back his followers for their actions in the previous war against
Orochi. Watching from the sidelines while this is going on is the
mysterious strategist, Taigong Wang.
- Starters: Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei,
Xing Cai, Sun
Shang Xiang, Ieyasu Tokugawa,
Tadakatsu Honda, Inahime, Hanzo
Hattori,Yoshimoto Imagawa
- Affiliates: Taigong Wang,Zuo Ci, Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, Lu Xun,Mitsuhide Akechi, Gracia, Zhang Liao,
Zhuge Liang, Yue
Ying, Himiko
- Stages: Shi Ting, Saika Village, Nagashino, Wuhang Mountains,
Jia Meng Gate, Odani Castle, Koshi Castle, and Wu Zhang Plains
Wei Story
The Wei story picks up from the ending of the first game. Cao Cao,
having regained leadership of Wei following the previous war
against Orochi, has set out to become a major power in the new
land. He takes an opportunity to get some control when a strange
army led by
a monkey has been sighted by
Kunoichi in the Si Province. Alongside Cao Cao is the mysterious
and enigmatic Nu Wa.
- Affiliates: Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Yuan Shao,
Jiang Wei, Taishi
Ci, Magoichi Saika, Toshiie Maeda, Cao Pi,
Cao Ren, Zhen Ji,
Pang Tong, Nagamasa Azai, Oichi,
Mitsunari Ishida, Katsuie Shibata,Nobunaga Oda, Sun
Wukong
- Stages: Si Province, Si Shui Gate, Shizugatake, Ji Castle,
Komaki-Nagakute, Yamatai, Tong Gate, and Guan Du
Wu Story
In the Wu story, Sun Jian decided not to take part amidst the
fighting and chaos. Instead, defenses are strengthened and scouts
are sent out to monitor the situation for the time being. Soon
though, scouts find that Lu Bu, once a member of the Orochi army,
is in combat at Ru Xu Kou against a new and strange warrior,
Yoshitsune Minamoto.
- Affiliates: Yoshitsune
Minamoto, Zhou Yu, Xiao Qiao, Goemon
Ishikawa,Meng Huo, Zhu Rong, Sun Ce, Da Qiao, Xu Zhu, Pang De, Ma Chao, Lu Bu and Diao Chan
- Stages: Ru Xu Kou, Kanegasaki, Nan Zhong, Itsukushima,
Okehazama, Yang Ping Gate, Yamazaki, and Chi Bi
Samurai Story
After Orochi was slain at the end of the first game, former Orochi
army member Dong Zhuo left his former allegiances to do whatever he
pleases. The Samurai story begins with Sakon Shima, who stops Dong
Zhuo from terrorizing Lou Sang Village.
- Affiliates: Zhang Jiao, Shingen Takeda, Yukimura Sanada, Kojiro Sasaki, Kenshin Uesugi, Kanetsugu Naoe, Fu Xi,
Sima Yi, Lu Meng,
Gan Ning, Nobunaga
Oda, Nohime, Nene,
Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Kiyomori Taira
- Stages: Lou Sang Village, Ji Province, Hasedo, Chang Ban, Liang
Province, Hu Lao Gate, Bai Di Castle, and Sekigahara
Orochi's Story
Unlike the other four stories, Orochi's own story and campaign are
a prequel to the first game, explaining the events that lead up to
the story of the first game.
- Affiliates: Kotaro Fuma, Keiji Maeda, Zhuge
Liang, Sun Ce, Sun
Quan, Sun Shang Xiang, Zhou Tai, Da Qiao, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Inahime,Hanzo Hattori,
and Masamune Date
- Stages: Odawara Castle (West), Cheng Du, Kawanakajima, He Fei,
Edo Castle, Yi Ling, Mikatagahara, and Hinokawa
By the start of this game, Dong Zhuo, Lu Bu, and Masamune Date had
left the Orochi army following the Serpent King's death. Kiyomori
Taira, Sun Wukong and Himiko later joined the army.
There are two new classes of Orochi generic officers: A
demonic-like boar class, named after types of minerals, and a demon
ninja class, named after a variety of flora & fauna and species
of spider.
New Gameplay Mechanics
The core gameplay of
Warriors Orochi 2 follows the same
premise as its predecessor; three warriors are selected and can be
switched at will. However, this sequel introduces additional new
concepts:
- Team assists: When the primary character is
attacked, one of the standby characters will appear and assist the
player. The assist attacks and effects depend on the class of the
character (Power, Speed, Technique).
- Strategies When the player fulfills a certain
requirement like defeating a certain amount of officers or enemies,
a special strategy will be activated and are beneficial to
allies.
- Triple attacks: When the ability is triggered,
the two standby characters will appear and, together with the
primary character, unleash a triple Musou attack.
These are some combinations of characters that have a special
triple Musou attack unique to the team. Some of the combinations
are:
- Taigong Wang, Fu Xi, Nu Wa
- Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei
- Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Sun Shang Xiang
- Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Ieyasu Tokugawa
- Dian Wei, Zhou Tai, Ranmaru Mori
- Kunoichi, Hanzo Hattori, Kotaro Fuma
- Da Ji, Zhen Ji, Nou
- Orochi, Lu Bu, Tadakatsu Honda
- Xiahou Yuan, Huang Zhong, Ina
- Ieyasu Tokugawa, Masamune Date, Magoichi Saika
- Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Liu Bei
- Lu Bu, Wei Yan, Mitsuhide Akechi
- Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu, Sima Yi
New Game modes
In addition to the Story, Free and Gallery Modes from the first
game, there are other new modes of gameplay:
New Weapon Upgrades and Fusions
A feature introduced in the first
Warriors Orochi,
upgrading and modifying weapons has been given a new twist by
fulfilling the requirement for a much better skill imbued on a
weapon.
Treasure Hunt Side Quests
In addition to normal game objectives and missions on each map,
hidden Treasures are placed on each map. Each map has different
hidden Treasures.
Versus mode
A feature from
Dynasty Warriors 4 and the original
Samurai Warriors, Versus Mode pits two players against
each other in four separate modes. Players can select teams of
three characters different from each other.
Tag Team and Elimination
This mode pits two players against each other in a traditional
fighting game (which the very first
Dynasty Warriors is). Tag Team gives
each player three characters as a team, while Elimination gives
players one character each.
Tower
The objective of this game mode is to knock out more enemies than
the opponent.
Steeple Chase
Steeple Chase resembles a traditional arcade style racing game. Two
players ride horses and race to the finish line. Items are
available in-game to give players added abilities.
Survival mode
Survival mode follows the same concepts of Tag Team. The difference
is the number of computer opponents is infinite.
Dream Mode
In the all-new Dream Mode, players can select three of the
available 92 characters in this game and play through a special
scenario tailored to the chosen team. None of the characters that
appear outside the Three Kingdoms and Sengoku periods are part of
any teams. There are 28 stages total.
| Team |
Stage |
| Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Quan |
Osaka Castle |
| Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Ieyasu Tokugawa |
Fan Castle |
| Shingen Takeda, Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu |
He Fei Castle |
| Yoshihiro Shimazu, Zhao Yun, Yukimura Sanada |
Itsukushima |
| Kenshin Uesugi, Guan Yu, Xu Huang |
Mt. Qi |
| Guan Yu, Xiahou Dun, Lu Meng |
East Odawara Castle |
| Sakon Shima, Jiang Wei, Lu Xun |
Wu Territory |
| Lu Bu, Tadakatsu Honda, Keiji Maeda |
Yamatai |
| Sun Jian, Cao Ren, Katsuie Shibata |
Mt. Kunlun |
| Ranmaru Mori, Dian Wei, Zhou Tai |
Xin Castle |
| Ma Chao, Nagamasa Azai, Kanetsugu Naoe |
Nan Zhong |
| Zuo Ci, Zhang Jiao, Pang Tong |
Ji Province |
| Diao Chan, Zhang He, Motochika Chosokabe |
Osaka Bay |
| Cao Pi, Guan Ping, Gracia |
Han Sui |
| Kotaro Fuma, Zhang Liao, Gan Ning |
Ueda Castle |
| Oichi, Sun Shang Xiang, Da Qiao |
Kyushu |
| Ina, Huang Zhong, Xiahou Yuan |
Honnoji |
| Zhang Fei, Tadakatsu Honda, Musashi Miyamoto |
Hinokawa |
| Yuan Shao, Zhu Rong, Nene |
Mai Castle |
| Yue Ying, Ling Tong, Mitsuhide Akechi |
Shikoku |
| Sima Yi, Masamune Date, Mitsunari Ishida |
Xia Pi |
| Yoshimoto Imagawa, Xing Cai, Ginchiyo Tachibana |
Chang An |
| Xiao Qiao, Zhen Ji, No |
Lu Shan |
| Okuni, Goemon Ishikawa, Meng Huo |
Chang Sha |
| Kojiro Sasaki, Wei Yan, Taishi Ci |
Nan Zhong |
| Hanzo Hattori, Huang Gai, Xu Zhu |
Yan Province |
| Dong Zhuo, Magoichi Saika, Kunoichi |
Hasedo |
Stages
Twenty new stages are included in the sequel. Most of the stages
were brought over from
Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends
and
Samurai
Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends. Most, if not all, stages from
the first Warriors Orochi return in the stories, while others are
used in Dream Mode stages.
Stages from Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends
- Mt.
Kunlun
- Chang Sha
- Lou Sang Village
- Yan Province
- Si Province
- Ji Castle
- Jia Meng Gate
- Yang Ping Gate
- Ru Xu Kou
- Han Shui
- Mai Castle
- Shi Ting
- Mt. Qi
- Nan Zhong
Stages from Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends
Stages new to the Warriors franchise
Costumes
Unlike the first game's character palette swaps,
Warriors
Orochi 2 features different costumes for each character. Each
character has three costumes; the same 2 palette swap costumes as
in the first game return, and a different costume that is either
their Dynasty Warriors 4 costume or their Samurai Warriors costume
(with the exceptions of Oichi and Masamune Date). Characters that
debuted after Dynasty Warriors 4 or the original Samurai Warriors
have new alternate costumes entirely. To unlock these 3rd costumes,
the characters must have their proficiency at level 10.
To promote
Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce, the PSP version.
Warriors Orochi 2 features the Musou Awakening forms of
Zhao Yun, Xiahou Dun and Sun Shang Xiang as usable costumes,
unlocked by completing the story modes.
U.S. & European & Taiwan Versions
The U.S. & European & Taiwan releases will have additional
features exclusively to the PSP version of the game. These features
include the addition of the Japanese voices, an installation to the
Memory Stick Duo to decrease load times, and additional characters,
such as
Benkei and
Sanzang
Fashi, and contents from the unreleased
Warriors Orochi Z
which KOEI announced that it will not be released outside
Japan.
Reception
As of
July 9,
2008, the
game has sold 946,131 copies in Japan, according to
Famitsu.
See also
References
External links