Dynasty Warriors Next Review for PS Vita

System: PS Vita
Dev: Omega Force
Pub: Tecmo Koei
Release: February 22, 2012
Players: 1-4
Screen Resolution: 544p	Alcohol Reference, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence

There's also a form of online integration. Players who keep the game connected are able to compete against other players in Conquest Mode, where attacking a territory governed by another player will send a challenge his/her way. The player with the higher score after both have played the mission is declared the winner. Online connectivity in campaign mode is tied to duels, which result from a "challenge" by another player. The actual gameplay for these is pulled from the new touchscreen mechanics Dynasty Warriors Next tries to introduce.

Dynasty Warriors Next Screenshot

These touchscreen minigames are the weakest additions to Dynasty Warriors Next. While running along between bases, sometimes you'll be ambushed by enemy forces. You'll have to swipe at their projectiles on the screen or tap all of the charging spearmen before they reach you. Something like that. It's quick and usually painless, but also fairly pointless. Duels occur when a player is challenged by an enemy general on the field and are slightly more involved, drawing on Infinity Blade for their mechanics. Swipe at the screen to swing and hold a spot to guard break, following prompts to parry enemy blows and win weapon clashes. When the enemy's health is mostly depleted, rub the screen like Lady MacBeth until you win. They're too simple to be fun, and sometimes frustrating because inputs feel nebulous. The map is a better use of the touchscreen, now allowing players to direct their subordinates to attack or defend bases, adding an element of delegation to the strategy in the Dynasty Warriors Formula.

There's multiplayer through Coalition Mode, but it's disappointingly ad-hoc only. Further, weapons and items don't really carry over to this mode, as they're chosen for you at the beginning of battle. Character creation is quick and easy, with enough variety to make a distinct looking general, but nowhere near as complex as in games like SoulCalibur V.

Dynasty Warriors Next is a very good Dynasty Warriors entry, if a somewhat traditional one. Its Vita-specific additions are somewhat lacking, and the core action will get repetitive over time, but it makes for a killer diversion and provides a wholly satisfying, console-quality Dynasty Warriors experience for the player on the go. If that's what you want, this game will not disappoint.

By
Shelby Reiches
Contributing Writer

@Shelby_Arr
Date: February 24, 2012

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.7

Graphics
Bright, crisp, and clear, with good textures. Nothing stunning about the environments, but the characters and scale are the foci anyway.

3.8

Control
Generally intuitive, responsive and great, but the touchscreen stuff is just unnecessary.

3.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
It's a Dynasty Warriors game and it sounds like one. Nothing new here, though the voices are fairly good this time out.

4.0

Play Value
This is a tough one, because those who enjoy these games will find a lot to come back to. Even though it gets repetitive in long stretches, it's absolutely the type of game you could return to once and again.

3.6

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Fight your way through a myriad of enemies using revolutionary, intuitive controls.

Compete against data downloaded from other players and compare your results online.

Eye-popping graphics, a roster of 65 original heroes, customizable characters in Edit Mode, and much more.

Cooperative play with up to three friends via ad hoc mode.