Dynasty Warriors 6

The same battles, the same strategy, the same results. There were other wars in Chinese history. Can't Koei come up with a setting that respects the rich tapestry of Chinese civilization but also offers the player something different? The Spring and Autumn Period? The Mongol invasions? The Opium Wars, maybe? As if Westerners weren't already ignorant of Chinese history to begin with -- now they probably think the Chinese fought the same damn war 14 times.

Dynasty Warriors 6 plays it safe with the series' standard button-mashing formula, and as such is little more than a prettier version of every other game in the series.

Lighthearted jabs at standard Dynasty Warriors reviews aside, this latest incarnation is an awful lot like all the others. If you don't know a Liu Bei from a Lu Bu, you're not going to be interested, but those who understand the thrill of taking down the thousandth enemy in a single battle will enjoy it. Just be sure to give the new Renbu system a chance. A little change can't hurt this series.