Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires [PS2]

Sure, Empires' brawling isn't video games' equivalent of brain surgery. Heck, it's not even video games' equivalent of mopping the floors after a particularly gruesome brain surgery. It's the game design philosophy of KISS (Keep it simple, stupid) at its most well developed; players can execute special combination attacks, but using them is like wearing a tuxedo to the zoo in an attempt to win the penguins' favor.

The game's brains, and it has plenty of them, are reserved for the tactical and strategic aspects in its Empire mode. Here, players choose a ruler from Chinese history and attempt to carve out a civilization one territory at a time. Play consists of turn-based empire building bits and then good old-fashioned real-time combat, with the ultimate goal being to eliminate all foes and seize their lands.

Generals and lieutenants oversee conquered properties. Lands under the players jurisdiction can be taxed, their defenses heightened, and searched to find new officers to join the ranks. Alliances, both short- and long-term, can be forged to allow two Empires to work in conjunction with one another, even to the point where the player will be called upon to participate in someone else's attempt to seize an enemy's land.

Role-playing elements allow a hero to grow in strength and endurance, and collect special items to augment both his weaponry and his armies. Trade can be undertaken with foreign lands to acquire goodies. Special military forces, such as bandits, sorcerers, beastmasters, and wood oxen, can be tapped to fight in battles. Reinforcements can be summoned up and politics employed to coerce and cajole opposing land owners.

Because Empires becomes menu-heavy in its presentation during the turn-based bits, offering options for forces, areas, policies, officers, weapons, etc., Empire mode isn't immediately accessible. Conquer the learning curve, though, and the rest is some delicious gravy.

This war is won in great swipes. Empires provides equal portions of action and strategy, and dishes out an adventure that will gleefully eat up huge chunks of players' time. In doing so, it proves itself to be a fine addition to the Dynasty. And the killing is, as always, right fine.