Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends Release Date(s): - (JP) August 23, 2007 (US) March 18, 2008 (EU) March 21, 2008 Official Site: JP || US || EU || IT Player(s): 1 or 2 Player(s) Platform(s): PS2 / Xbox 360 Reviewed by, Fayt

*Note: The naming system in this review is followed by the Western order, all other content is followed by its original Eastern (Japanese) order.

After around 1 ½ years after Samurai Warriors 2 finally the Xtreme Legends expansion pack is available (which for the first time in KOEI games history is after an Empires expansion pack). Featuring all the elements and characters we witnessed in Samurai Warriors 2 plus much more. This game is available on PS2 (also on Xbox 360 as downloadable only…eventually).

What’s new?
• A host of new playable characters including Toshiie Maeda, Katsuie Shibata, Kojiro Sasaki, Motochika Chosokabe, Gracia & the return of Yoshimoto Imagawa (from Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends and Warriors Orochi).
• Two new stages, the Battle of Okehazama featuring Yoshimoto’s downfall and Hideyoshi’s campaign against the Chosokabe at Shikoku.
• Ability to collect 5th weapons and level your characters from 50 to 70 for all your original Samurai Warriors 2 characters and new characters.
• New Mercenary Mode, a unique new mode where you embark on a number of missions living the life of a mercenary.

Story Review: The additions to this title significantly add value to the story, particularly by adding the early Imagawa battle at Okehazama, a battle of which was previously dearly missed from Samurai Warriors 2. This title has opened up the range of characters and battles to participate from the original title putting it back up on par with the original Samurai Warriors, but with even more.

Sadly however those that are hoping for large additions from an historic point of view will be a little disappointed; only really Toshiie & Katsuie have any true historic significance. The remainder play key roles in one-two battles at best, and then the rest is pretty much “what could have been”. On the positive side however all the new story modes are very well done, so if historical content is not that high on your list you should find all the new story modes unique and enjoyable.


New Characters: Here is a brief review of all the new characters:

Toshiie Maeda: A young man of the Shibata and Oda army whom is trying to prove his worth as a warrior and make a name for himself to impress his idol lord Shibata.
Katsuie Shibata: Katsuie is a most loyal subject to the Oda army, and will do anything for Nobunaga, he is also somewhat of an adoptive father to Toshiie who will go to extreme lengths to teach Toshiie the way of the Samurai.
Kojiro Sasaki: Much like his role in Samurai Warriors 2 he is entranced by Musashi Miyomoto’s ability and wishes for nothing more then to compare himself to Musashi, as either an ally or an opponent.
Gracia: A curious young girl who after caught in a tight situation was rescued by Magoichi or rather “Mago”, from here she decides to follow Mago to broaden her horizons and learn as much about the world as she can.
Yoshimoto Imagawa: A man who rates himself and Kemari, a ball game higher than all else. He searches all corners of Japan to try building friendships and help restore peace to the land to allow for more Kemari time.
Motochika Chosokabe: A heroic and adored leader who is unafraid to make a stance against the tides of history to make a name for himself. Even against such odds he desires nothing more than to be remembered in the pages of history.

New Mercenary Mode: Here you assume the role of a Mercenary (as any one of your favourite Samurai Warriors 2 characters, including SW2 originals) and take on missions from various Daimyo across the land, at times with special conditions such as 2x attack for everyone in the battle. As you battle your way through a selection of missions you will collect Gems which are essentially a monetary value which allow you to hire bodyguards, take on special missions to try collect Precious Swords and more.

This new mode shows some resemblance to that of an Empires title, although not as epic of course. It also shows signs of Xtreme Mode/Destiny Mode from DW5. It’s different and something worth looking into at the very least. A note of caution however is that is tends to be easier then regular story modes, you may wish to put the game on hard or higher to get a decent challenge from it.

Voice acting: Firstly, you’ll notice quickly that Katsuie no longer has his voice-actor from the original Samurai Warriors 2 where he of course was a unique NPC. However all the new voice acting suits the characters well enough, and is more than sufficient for the roles in the game, also pleasing is the majority of other SW2 character voices are the same, or at the least very similar. You won’t be getting any Warriors Orochi heart attacks here, like Hideyoshi.

On another note, the narrator voice actor has changed; I’ve become quite used to the same voice actor introducing the battles in both Kessen and several Warriors games. You’ll probably get an initial shock by the change, but the new voice actor is good too, just quite surprising and will take a little getting used to.

Replay Value: If you are not a collector the replay value of the game is unfortunately lacking beyond the six new story modes, although admittedly that is expected from an Xtreme Legends title. After you complete the new story modes there is not much left at all unless you are a hardcore Warriors fan, you might want to have a look at Mercenary mode as well but again, it’s really for the more Warriors game addict or collector, and for the casual gamer the life of the game won’t be that great. Although for true Warriors game fans this is an absolute must addition to your collection, the brilliance of Samurai Warriors 2 just got bigger & better!

Final Thoughts: If you loved the stand alone version of Samurai Warriors 2 then this is a must buy, if you are more of a casual gamer that doesn’t mind the Warriors title you still may wish to rent the game to feel out the new characters at the least, as we will see them again in future, such as Warriors Orochi 2.

One thing however I’m left with is a doubled edged feeling. I would have loved to have these new guys and battlefields available in Empires (which for the first time came before an Xtreme Legends title) while at the same time, this is in my opinion, this is the best Xtreme Legends package to date in fact. Having the ability to further develop and gain new weapons for all the original SW2 characters is a collectors dream, add that with 6 new characters & story modes, and finally with an all new Mercenary Mode there is certainly enough to stick your teeth into. Also considering this style of a hack n’ slash game may well be a dying breed due to next gen titles I find it all the more reason to get your hands on a copy while you can!

Rating: 7/10

Chousokabe Motochika

Gracia

Imagawa Yoshimoto

Maeda Toshiie

Sasaki Kojirou

Shibata Katsuie

Fan Submitted Wallpaper
(Made by, Chin Soon)
800x600

Fan Submitted Wallpaper
(Made by, Chin Soon)
800x600

Fan Submitted Wallpaper
(Made by, Chin Soon)
800x600

Fan Submitted Wallpaper
(Made by, Chin Soon)
800x600

Fan Submitted Wallpaper
(Made by, Chin Soon)
800x600

Fan Submitted Wallpaper
(Made by, Chin Soon)
800x600

Fan Submitted Wallpaper
(Made by, Chin Soon)
800x600

Skin Name: Maeda Toshiie
Skin Size: 271 KB
Skin Creator: Sera
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