Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 Review for Xbox 360

System: X360, PS3, PS2	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Omega Force	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Namco Bandai Games	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Apr. 21, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-4	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

I found the versus modes in Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2 to be very enjoyable, and it was nice to be able to play both locally and online with these modes. Although they are more of an accessory to the main game, I felt they were more enjoyable than the regular modes, perhaps because they were the only modes where the gameplay actually felt varied.

Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 screenshot

Technically, this game really doesn’t impress. Although the visuals are not offensive, they suffer from an overall lack of polish, and most Gundams are represented by blocky shapes reminiscent of the earliest anime series, rather than the slick, highly featured models that we’ve seen in more recent shows. The plot scenes in the Mission mode are an especially annoying facet of the visuals, as they only consisted of stoic characters with changing facial expressions against a textured background.

As far as the sound is concerned, your perception of this title will largely depend on your experience with the anime. Many of the Gundam animes have been localized very terribly, and even though purists have balked at the English dubbing, most fans have found it to be a source of humor. In short, yes, the voices are bad, but you just can’t help laughing at the bad acting and poorly-executed one-liners. I frequently found myself bowled over with laughter and had to pause the game just to catch my breath. If you are expecting serious and meaningful dialogue, you will be sorely disappointed by the sound in this title. But if you don’t mind a poor voiceover, then you will probably get some serious entertainment from it.

If I said I didn’t enjoy Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2, that would be a lie. It is a fun game. However, the monotony of the series is really starting to wear out its charm. Doing the same thing over and over is really fun for a handful of hours, but I just can’t commit any more to it than that, which makes its $60 price tag just a little too high. Although there are plenty of good facets to Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2, the game overall suffers from a huge “been there, done that” issue, which is my chief complaint. If you’ve never played a Dynasty Warriors or Musou game before, and you don’t mind repetitive game structure, then you’ll probably enjoy this title. But for my cash, I would like something just a little deeper.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.5

Graphics
Graphics are mediocre at best. The cutscenes lack detail, and plot scenes are little more than animated characters against bleak backgrounds.

3.7

Control
Controls are ridiculously simple, which works well for the fast pace of the game.

3.4

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The voiceover is unintentionally humorous, and if you can appreciate the campy dialogue, it can be enjoyable.

3.5

Play Value
If you like hack n’ slash gameplay, the game’s many different modes will keep you playing for quite awhile. It’s just too bad this title sticks so firmly to this singular gameplay aspect.

3.4

Overall Rating - Fair
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

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DYNASTY WARRIORS: GUNDAM 2 combines the devastating power of the Mobile Suit, the rich legacy of the GUNDAM universe and the furious Tactical Action game play of the DYNASTY WARRIORS series.

The game will thrust players into incredible battles against legions of enemy Mobile Suits on distant planetary surfaces and in the far reaches of outer space. For the first time, DYNASTY WARRIORS: GUNDAM 2 will let players engage in melee battles against colossal enemies such as the Psycho Gundam.

The massive Psycho Gundam can quickly reconfigure their bodies into titanic mobile fortresses which can move with remarkable speed. However, highly-trained pilots can utilize their own Mobile Suit’s speed, agility, and of course firepower to defeat these deadly juggernauts.

DYNASTY WARRIORS: GUNDAM 2 will also include new stories featuring mecha from the latest Gundam anime, plus mecha from Char’s Counter Attack and more. With mecha parts collected throughout the course of the game, players will be able to adapt a Mobile Suit which can be piloted into combat.

Developed by KOEI’s award-winning Omega Force team, DYNASTY WARRIORS: GUNDAM 2 will also include online versus play.