The Japanese numbering for the Dynasty Warriors series games differ from the English translations, which start counting the titles from the 1997 fighting game Dynasty Warriors. The original Japanese release of the series' second title added the Japanese prefix and was named . The English translation simply numbered it as Dynasty Warriors 2, and the main titles in the series afterward followed suit. is a 2003 hack and slash video game developed by Omega Force and published by Koei for the PlayStation 2. It is the fourth installment in the Dynasty Warriors series. An Xbox port followed later in the year as well as an enhanced port to personal computers in 2005 named Similar to other titles in the series, Dynasty Warriors 4 is based on the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms written by Luo Guanzhong. Set in the Three Kingdoms era of ancient China, the game depicts characters that are based on real-life figures as well as fictionalized versions of historical battles.
The gameplay features hundreds of soldiers fighting on battlefields of varying sizes. The player controls a single officer and can engage multiple enemies at once, with the aim to defeat the enemy's general in order to win the battle. The main gameplay mode depicts the events of the historical novel with branching story paths that include alternate history scenarios for the available characters. Only nine characters are available at the start; playing through the story grants access to more characters. Additional modes include an edit mode to create unique characters, a versus mode for duels, and a challenge mode.
Dynasty Warriors 4 was commercially successful. The game shipped 1 million copies within 9 days of its initial release in Japan and eventually sold 2.2 million copies to become one of the best selling titles in Koei's series of Warrior games. Critically Dynasty Warriors 4 was well received; it has an average of 78 out of 100 on Metacritics reviews and 79% on Game Rankings. Reviews noted the similarity to previous games in the series and complimented the enjoyable gameplay. Critics were divided on whether the improvements from the previous title were sufficient, while the game's English voice acting was universally panned. Two expansions, and were released for the PlayStation 2 that provided additional gameplay options and features.
Gameplay
Dynasty Warriors 4 features hack and slash action gameplay from a third person perspective similar to previous titles in the series. One to two players can control an officer on a battlefield featuring hundreds of soldiers engaged in combat with a set time limit. Like other games in the genre, player characters use their unique weapons to defeat multiple enemies at once. Dynasty Warriors 4 also provides an option to shoot arrows from a first-person perspective and to have bodyguard support during gameplay. Battles are won when the enemy general is defeated, either by the player or the player's army, or a special preset condition is met. Conversely, if time expires or the player's character or main general is defeated, the game ends in a loss. Characters are defeated when their health is depleted. Characters also have a special Musou gauge that when filled allows them to execute a special attack.
Nine characters are available at the start, with more accessible by completing campaigns or specific conditions in the story focused Musou Mode. Players can augment characters with items discovered during battles. Items include saddles that grant the character a mount to ride, orbs that add elemental damage to attacks, and special equipment that can raise combat statistics or provide special abilities. Characters, weapons, and bodyguards can gain experience from combat that increase their rank, which strengthens their combat statistics.
The morale system returns in Dynasty Warriors 4, and represents the balance of each side's overall morale during a battle. Morale levels are influenced by actions that benefit a side's army and tip the scale in their favor. New features include additional officers to control; an Edit Mode, which allows players to create up to four custom characters; and siege equipment that provides new obstacles and battlefield objectives. Siege equipment include bridge layers, battering rams, and catapults. Players are also able to switch characters during a campaign, which focuses on a faction's story rather than an individual's. Another addition are duels during battles. Enemy officers can challenge the player's character to a timed one-on-one duel. Winning the duel defeats the officer and raises morale, whereas running out of time results in a draw and the battle continues.
Plot
Characters Only three characters are initially available from each of the Three Kingdoms: Liu Bei and his two sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, from the Shu Kingdom; Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan from the Wei Kingdom; and Sun Jian, his daughter Sun Shang Xiang, and Huang Gai from the Wu Kingdom. Additional characters in each kingdom become available after progressing through the Musou Mode of their respective faction.
Shu Kingdom characters include the generals Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, Wei Yan, Huang Zhong, and Jiang Wei. Other Shu playable warriors are the strategists Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong as well as Zhuge Liang's wife, Yue Ying, who is a new character to the series' roster. The Wei Kingdom includes Zhen Ji, the wife of Cao Pi, one of Cao Cao's sons, as well as the generals Dian Wei, Xu Huang, Sima Yi, Zhang Liao, Xu Zhu, and Zhang He. The new Wei character is Cao Cao's cousin, Cao Ren. The Wu Kingdom includes two of Sun Jian's sons, Sun Ce and Sun Quan, as well as Sun Ce's wife, Da Qiao, and her younger sister, Xiao Qiao. Other Wu playable characters include the generals Zhou Yu, Lu Meng, Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, Lu Xun, and Zhou Tai, who joins the playable roster this game.
The roster also includes several figures who featured prominently in various parts of the story grouped as an "Other" faction. The corrupt warlord Dong Zhuo as well as his courtesan Diao Chan and his traitorous general Lu Bu are accessible after progressing further through the story. Yuan Shao, the allied forces general and Cao Cao's rival, becomes available after completing the Wei campaign. The Nanman leaders Meng Huo and Zhu Rong first appear during the Shu or Wu campaigns and become accessible after they are defeated in a duel. After completing several different campaigns, the rebellious Yellow Turban leader Zhang Jiao becomes playable. Many other characters important to key events in the story appear as non-player characters during battles throughout the game (e.g., Cao Pi, Guan Ping, and Ling Tong).
Story
Based on the book Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dynasty Warriors 4 is set in Ancient China during the Three Kingdoms era. The plot unfolds via the game's Musou Mode and features branching paths that change based on player choices. Special tales are included that are accessible by completing specific conditions during certain battles. Each faction's story includes events that are interwoven with the story of the others. Though the outcomes vary based on the player's actions, each path highlights the historical battles from the respective faction's perspective. Many of the paths begin at the Yellow Turban Rebellion, where the Han dynasty and Allied forces defeat Zhang Jiao and his religious sect, the Way of Peace. Soon after the rebellion, the warlord Dong Zhuo seizes control of the Imperial Court with the help of the fierce warrior Lu Bu and the courtesan Diao Chan. In response, the nobleman Yuan Shao rallies a group of allied forces against Dong Zhuo's forces. They successfully drove Dong Zhuo's armies back from Si Shui Gate and Hulao Gate, culminating in a battle at the capital Luoyang. Afterward, the forces split and three generals begin to form their own kingdoms: Shu Kingdom led by Liu Bei, Wei Kingdom led by Cao Cao, and Wu Kingdom led Sun Jian.
Three Kingdoms scenarios During the Shu story, Liu Bei and his two sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, fight to restore the Han Dynasty. After Dong Zhuo's defeat, Liu Bei searches for a place to settle his followers while clashing with the Wei Kingdom's leader, Cao Cao, who has become the ruler of northern China. As the game progresses, Liu Bei recruits others, like the warriors Zhao Yun and Ma Chao as well as the strategist Zhuge Liang, to strengthen his group. He eventually allies with the Wu Kingdom, led at the time by one of Sun Jian's son (Sun Quan), to fight Cao Cao, which leads to a joint effort at the Battle of Chi Bi. After the battle, Liu Bei attacks the Wu Kingdom, and during the campaign, defeats the Nanman from Southern China. The Shu Kingdom eventually defeats Wu at the Battle of Yi Ling. The Shu Kingdom's story concludes at the Battle of Wu Zhang Plains, where they overcome the remaining Wei forces, led by Sima Yi, Cao Cao's strategist. After defeating the major factions, Liu Bei unites China under the Shu Han Kingdom.
The Wei scenario features similar events from the perspective of their leader Cao Cao, who focuses on uniting China after Dong Zhuo's defeat. During a rebellion in Wan Castle, Cao Cao escapes with help of his guard Dian Wei. Cao Cao then formed an alliance with Liu Bei to defeat Lu Bu, gaining several officers in the process. Afterward, he destroys Yuan Shao's army at the Battle of Guan Du. Following his victories, Cao Cao begins a campaign against Liu Bei, pursuing him across several territories in China. As a result, Liu Bei joins forces with the Wu Kingdom against Cao Cao, culminating in the Battle of Chi Bi. However, the Wei forces thwart the joint alliance's strategies. Cao Cao continues advancing on the Shu and Wu forces until they are completely defeated, unifying China under the Wei Kingdom.
Similar to the other Kingdoms, the Wu story begins with the events of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and Dong Zhuo's coup. After Dong Zhuo's defeat, he escapes to Luoyang where Sun Jian attacks him and finds the Imperial Seal in the process. Upon returning home, Sun Jian finds out other generals have taken over Jing Province and the Wu Territory. With the help of his children, Sun Jian defeats the various generals, eventually regaining the Wu Territory while finding new generals to expand his army. Seeing Cao Cao's growing influence, the Wu Kingdom allies with the Shu Kingdom at the Battle of Chi Bi, successfully halting Cao Cao's momentum. Following the battle, the three Kingdoms begin to fight each other, and the Sun family lead campaigns against the Shu Kingdom to outwit their strategist, Zhuge Liang. After defeating the Nanman tribe, the Wu Kingdom conquers Shu at the Battle of Yi Ling. Turning their attention back to the Wei Kingdom, the Sun family defeats them at several locations, culminating at the Battle of Xu Chang and successfully unifying China.
Other scenarios The game also includes stories that depict alternate histories for characters outside the main three Kingdoms. Yuan Shao's story has him successfully defeating his rival Cao Cao after quelling the Yellow Turban rebellion and Dong Zhuo's coup. After crushing the Wei forces at the Battle of Guan Du, Yuan Shao focuses on defeating Liu Bei and Sun Jian. He fights two campaigns against them, defeating Sun Jian at He Fei and Liu Bei in Xia Pi.
The Nanman scenario depicts them successfully repelling the Shu Kingdom after Dong Zhuo's coup. Infuriated at the Shu invasion, King Meng Huo resolves to defeat them at his wife's, Zhu Rong, encouragement. Meng Huo drives them into the Kingdom of Wu, which he decides to conquer, killing the Sun family in the process. He successfully continues his campaign into the Wei Kingdom and eventually marches on the Shu capital to defeat the last of its generals.