Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires [PS2]

Old soldiers -- especially ones from ancient China -- don't die, they just keep reappearing in Dynasty Warriors sequels. And their ancient Chinese secret is one of video games' most poorly kept: one button, pressed ad nauseam, can be used to kill a multitude of foes. Add a second button to the mix for special attacks, and it might just be possible for one man to win a video game war against hundred of foes.

A button-masher supreme, the third-person perspective Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires delights in filling the screen with hundreds of enemy footsoldiers, officers, archers, magicians, horsemen, and heroes. Battles are fought on large maps with multiple objectives to be held and conquered and the experience is enormously frenzied to the point of chaos.

Troops rush about madly, assaulting positions, defending against invasions, and fleeing from overwhelming assault. For their part, players will only see a tiny part of every battle, but Empires does an excellent -- if not excessively thorough -- job of keeping a steady stream of updates sent both via text on the game screen and audio sound bites bleated by friendly and hostile forces. A pounding, guitar-fueled series of rock beats serves to heighten the tension, but is the proverbial hat on a full-grown mountain ape -- out of place by far.

Pick an adjective -- cathartic, intense, frustrating, exhilarating -- and it describes Empires' combat. Although players ride in to battle controlling one general, they're accompanied by friendly forces who, well, pretty much do their own thing during the fights. They'll aid in attacks, provide support, and defend supply bases, but can't be controlled and subsequently, counted on. This means players are oftentimes an army of one. It's problematic in that it leads to a lot of 50-on-one, but this isn't as daunting as it sounds. Given a warrior's ability to kick ass by hammering on one button, most potential massacres can be avoided.

The game never fails to present a huge swarm of enemies. Foes will surround a hero, attempting to strike at his flanks. It's at once joy to the world when a hero can rush in amid the snakes and tear their collective heart out with a series of sword, spear, hammer, what-have-you strikes before unleashing a powerful multi-hit, "musou" attack to send a large group of enemies flying in all directions. In this way, one guy can whack, say, 30 and have a great time in the process.