Samurai Warriors 2
Encyclopedia
is a sequel to the original Samurai Warriors
, created by Koei and Omega Force. The game was released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2
and Xbox 360
, and received a port to Microsoft Windows
in 2008.
Like the Dynasty Warriors
series, an Empires expansion was released as well, and an Xtreme Legends expansion followed on August 23, 2007 in Japan.
Samurai Warriors 3
, the sequel to SW2 and the third game in the series was released in December 2009 for the Wii
.
can either summon new soldiers to the battlefield or improve the combat abilities of nearby allies, Yukimura Sanada
can either whistle to call his mount to his side or perform a flaming charge, and Ginchiyo Tachibana
can either increase the strength of her weapon or summon lightning to stun nearby enemy soldiers. In addition, characters movesets can evolve in a larger variety as they level up, elaborating on either their combo, charge or special attacks, with the progression of each character being different from the next. This leads to the characters having 1 of 3 different button combos.
A returning element from the original Samurai Warriors is the Survival Mode
(Infinite Castle in the Japanese version). In this mode, the player chooses a character and fights through an endless castle. After choosing the character, 4 random missions will be given to the player to choose from. To choose a mission the player must pay a fee to perform the mission, though there are certain missions that do not require a fee. After that, the player enters the castle, and a mission will be triggered. After succeeding in the mission, the stairway to the next floor opens, and the player will be able to proceed to the next floor where there will be another mission to complete in order to proceed to the next floor, and so on.
Playable characters in the game (except for Ranmaru Mori
and Okuni
) have their own stories. Each story contains five stages (except for Ieyasu Tokugawa
and Mitsunari Ishida
, who both have six stages), plus a "Dream Stage" or "Gaiden" (Side Quest) in the Japanese version, that effectively asks "what if". For example, Yukimura Sanada's Dream/Gaiden stage (Battle of Sekigahara
) puts him into a battle that took place historically between his fourth and fifth stages (Ueda Castle
and Osaka Castle
respectively). Correspondingly, since Mitsuhide Akechi
and Nobunaga Oda
both have endings where they won their historically final battles and survived, their Dream stages have them mopping up their gathered opposition.
This game also contains a Sugoroku
mini-game as an additional feature. Up to four players can participate in this mode, and each player has to choose a character. The game's goal is to collect the requested amount of gold (depending on the player's settings). At the beginning of the game, three flags for each player will be divided in the map, and players can earn gold and raise their ranks by collecting their respective flags and returning to their home square. Additionally, a player can buy territories on the map, or challenge another player for the control of a territory. There are six types of challenges in the game: Annihilate (requires the players to defeat as many enemies as possible), Chase (requires the players to defeat as many fleeing Fire Ninjas as possible), Destroy (requires the players to destroy as many boulders as possible), Race (requires the players to break through the doors to reach the end before the opponent does), Reveal (requires the players to uncover as many Sky Ninjas as possible), and Steal (requires the players to collect as much gold as possible).
The CAW (Create-A-Warrior) mode from the original Samurai Warriors has been removed, but it was reintroduced in Samurai Warriors 2 Empires.
Yoshimoto Imagawa
, Goemon Ishikawa
, and Kunoichi
from the original Samurai Warriors were removed from this game, but the character Nene
seems to be a replacement for Kunoichi due to similarities in combat characteristics and skills, and Yoshimoto Imagawa
was brought back to the series in Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends.
Despite initial images being released, Katsuie Shibata
and Kojiro Sasaki
were only special NPCs (with their own character model) as Yoshimoto Imagawa
, Kennyo Honganji
, Hideyoshi Hashiba/Toyotomi
, Ieyasu Tokugawa
and Nagamasa Azai
were in the original Samurai Warriors. If the player completes certain objectives in the game's Survival Mode, however, Katsuie and Kojirō may be unlocked as special bodyguards. As a note, screenshots from the Japanese version of Samurai Warriors 2 Empires have confirmed that both Shibata Katsuie and Sasaki Kojirō are playable characters in the game. Imagawa Yoshimoto and Honganji Kennyo were completely removed due to conflicting time periods; for the same reason, the battles of Inabayama, Ise-Nagashima, and other battles featuring the Imagawa or the Ikko-ikki are removed. The Battle of Okehazama exists solely in the opening movies of Nobunaga, Noh (same as Nobunaga's), and Mitsuhide. Also, Okuni and Ranmaru do not have Story Modes in Samurai Warriors 2, but are still playable in other modes (Note that both Okuni and Ranmaru can be played in Story Mode in multi-player mode only).
Minor clans include: Mori, Hojo, Otani, Chosokabe, Shibata, Saika, Asakura
The English voice production was provided by Montreal recording studio Agile Sound, with the voice casting provided by their sister company Total Casting.
The 6000 lines for the 33 characters were recorded in 33 days using 25 actors.
and Xbox 360
. The game was first released in Japan on November 16, 2006.
Very similar to both Dynasty Warriors 4 Empires and Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires, the game features the strategic and tactical Empire Mode that combines the gameplay of Samurai Warriors and several turn-based strategy elements from Nobunaga's Ambition
and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The Empire mode allows the player to select from some of Japan's greatest battles such as the battle of Kawanakajima, the battle of Anegawa
, the incident at Honnō-ji
and the battle of Sekigahara
.
In the CAW Mode, the options are limited to 13 models with 10 color patterns each, as well as four different voices. Fortunately, a new feature is added to the mix: the ability to copy movesets of other characters.
Unlike Samurai Warriors Xtreme Legends, the game does not feature new characters for the series. However, Sasaki Kojirō
and Shibata Katsuie
, who were unplayable special bodyguards in the original Samurai Warriors 2, are now playable characters in Samurai Warriors 2 Empires.
. It is the fifth Xtreme Legends expansion by Koei, and also the first and only Xtreme Legends expansion since Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends to be released after Empires (Other Xtreme Legends expansions are released shortly after the release of the original game). It shares the same achievements with the parent game on the Xbox 360.
The expansion introduced new characters to the series, including Maeda Toshiie
, Gracia
and Chōsokabe Motochika
. Imagawa Yoshimoto
from Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends returned in the expansion with an updated character design, and Shibata Katsuie
and Sasaki Kojirō
from Samurai Warriors 2 Empires are also playable and have new weapons. Shibata Katsuie wields two hand axe
s, while Sasaki Kojirō still carries a nodachi , but can now summon an ex-dimensional sword during battle.
Because Imagawa Yoshimoto was put back into the game, the previously omitted Battle of Okehazama is brought back, and Hideyoshi's Shikoku campaign against Chosokabe Motochika is also included.
A new mode known as Mercenary Mode is in the game. It resembles Xtreme Mode from Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends.
Playable characters can now be upgraded to level 70; in the original the highest level was 50. Bodyguards can also level up to 30, when in the original 20 was the highest level.
Fifth weapons are present in the game, however, unlike the first game, the weapons has the same attack base as the original (before, the fifth weapon would have a higher attack base). Some considered it as an "alternative fourth weapon". In Samurai Warriors 2, the highest upgrade is fourth weapons.
In order to play the full functionality of this game the original is required. "Import" selected on the main menu will guide you though a disk switching process. Xbox 360 players must download the expansion via the Xbox Marketplace as there is no stand alone disc available in stores.
Samurai Warriors
is the first title in the series of video games created by Koei's Omega Force team based loosely around the Sengoku period of Japanese history and it is a spinoff of the Dynasty Warriors series...
, created by Koei and Omega Force. The game was released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, and received a port to Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
in 2008.
Like the Dynasty Warriors
Dynasty Warriors
is a series of tactical action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The award-winning series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based loosely around the Chinese classical novel of the same name. The first game titled Dynasty Warriors,...
series, an Empires expansion was released as well, and an Xtreme Legends expansion followed on August 23, 2007 in Japan.
Samurai Warriors 3
Samurai Warriors 3
is the third installment in the Samurai Warriors series, created by Tecmo Koei and Omega Force. The game was released in Japan on December 3, 2009, Europe on May 28, 2010, Australia on June 10, 2010, and in North America on September 27, 2010 for the Wii....
, the sequel to SW2 and the third game in the series was released in December 2009 for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Samurai Warriors 2 builds on the first Samurai Warriors by adding new characters and new features, such as the removal of the traditional range attacks in favor of the addition of two unique special abilities that differ from character to character. For example, OichiOichi
or a female historical figure in the late Sengoku period. She is known primarily as the mother of three daughters who married well -- Yodo-dono, Ohatsu and Oeyo....
can either summon new soldiers to the battlefield or improve the combat abilities of nearby allies, Yukimura Sanada
Sanada Yukimura
was a Japanese samurai, second son of the Sengoku period daimyo Sanada Masayuki . His proper name was Sanada Nobushige , named after Takeda Shingen's younger brother Takeda Nobushige, who was a brave and respected warrior. He and his father were known as being excellent military tacticians...
can either whistle to call his mount to his side or perform a flaming charge, and Ginchiyo Tachibana
Tachibana Ginchiyo
was the head of the Japanese clan of Tachibana during the Sengoku Period of the 16th century. Ginchiyo was the daughter of Tachibana Dōsetsu, retainer of the Ōtomo . Because Dosetsu had no sons, he requested that Ginchiyo be made family head after his death...
can either increase the strength of her weapon or summon lightning to stun nearby enemy soldiers. In addition, characters movesets can evolve in a larger variety as they level up, elaborating on either their combo, charge or special attacks, with the progression of each character being different from the next. This leads to the characters having 1 of 3 different button combos.
A returning element from the original Samurai Warriors is the Survival Mode
Survival mode
Survival mode is a video game mode in which the player must survive by keeping their character alive or preventing the enemy from reaching a certain location for as long as possible, while the game sends waves of enemies to the player that become stronger with each subsequent wave. Another variant...
(Infinite Castle in the Japanese version). In this mode, the player chooses a character and fights through an endless castle. After choosing the character, 4 random missions will be given to the player to choose from. To choose a mission the player must pay a fee to perform the mission, though there are certain missions that do not require a fee. After that, the player enters the castle, and a mission will be triggered. After succeeding in the mission, the stairway to the next floor opens, and the player will be able to proceed to the next floor where there will be another mission to complete in order to proceed to the next floor, and so on.
Playable characters in the game (except for Ranmaru Mori
Mori Ranmaru
, born Mori Nagasada , was the son of Mori Yoshinari, and had 5 brothers in total, from the province of Mino. He was a member of the Mori Clan, descendants of the Seiwa Genji....
and Okuni
Izumo no Okuni
was the originator of kabuki theater. She was believed to be a miko at the Grand Shrine of Izumo who began performing this new style of dancing, singing, and acting in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto.-Early years:...
) have their own stories. Each story contains five stages (except for Ieyasu Tokugawa
Tokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
and Mitsunari Ishida
Ishida Mitsunari
Ishida Mitsunari was a samurai who led the Western army in the Battle of Sekigahara following the Azuchi-Momoyama period of the 17th century. Also known by his court title, Jibunoshō...
, who both have six stages), plus a "Dream Stage" or "Gaiden" (Side Quest) in the Japanese version, that effectively asks "what if". For example, Yukimura Sanada's Dream/Gaiden stage (Battle of Sekigahara
Battle of Sekigahara
The , popularly known as the , was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600 which cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu...
) puts him into a battle that took place historically between his fourth and fifth stages (Ueda Castle
Siege of Ueda
The siege of Ueda was staged in 1600 by Tokugawa Hidetada, son of the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu, against Ueda castle in Shinano province, which was controlled by the Sanada family....
and Osaka Castle
Siege of Osaka
The was a series of battles undertaken by the Tokugawa shogunate against the Toyotomi clan, and ending in that clan's destruction. Divided into two stages , and lasting from 1614 to 1615, the siege put an end to the last major armed opposition to the shogunate's establishment...
respectively). Correspondingly, since Mitsuhide Akechi
Akechi Mitsuhide
, nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...
and Nobunaga Oda
Oda Nobunaga
was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
both have endings where they won their historically final battles and survived, their Dream stages have them mopping up their gathered opposition.
This game also contains a Sugoroku
Sugoroku
refers to two different forms of Japanese board game, one similar to western backgammon and the other similar to western Snakes and ladders.Sugoroku plays identically to backgammon , except for the following differences:...
mini-game as an additional feature. Up to four players can participate in this mode, and each player has to choose a character. The game's goal is to collect the requested amount of gold (depending on the player's settings). At the beginning of the game, three flags for each player will be divided in the map, and players can earn gold and raise their ranks by collecting their respective flags and returning to their home square. Additionally, a player can buy territories on the map, or challenge another player for the control of a territory. There are six types of challenges in the game: Annihilate (requires the players to defeat as many enemies as possible), Chase (requires the players to defeat as many fleeing Fire Ninjas as possible), Destroy (requires the players to destroy as many boulders as possible), Race (requires the players to break through the doors to reach the end before the opponent does), Reveal (requires the players to uncover as many Sky Ninjas as possible), and Steal (requires the players to collect as much gold as possible).
The CAW (Create-A-Warrior) mode from the original Samurai Warriors has been removed, but it was reintroduced in Samurai Warriors 2 Empires.
Returning characters
These are the characters who originally appeared in the first Samurai Warriors game and its Xtreme Legends expansion and returned in Samurai Warriors 2.- Nobunaga OdaOda Nobunagawas the initiator of the unification of Japan under the shogunate in the late 16th century, which ruled Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi...
- Ranmaru MoriMori Ranmaru, born Mori Nagasada , was the son of Mori Yoshinari, and had 5 brothers in total, from the province of Mino. He was a member of the Mori Clan, descendants of the Seiwa Genji....
- Hideyoshi ToyotomiToyotomi Hideyoshiwas a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
(not playable in original SW) - Tadakatsu HondaHonda Tadakatsu, also called Honda Heihachirō , was a Japanese general of the late Sengoku through early Edo period, who served Tokugawa Ieyasu. Honda Tadakatsu was one of the Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings along with Ii Naomasa, Sakakibara Yasumasa and Sakai Tadatsugu. - Biography :A native of Mikawa Province in...
(not playable in original SW) - Mitsuhide AkechiAkechi Mitsuhide, nicknamed Jūbei or called from his clan name and title, was a samurai who lived during the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan.Mitsuhide was a general under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, although he became infamous for his betrayal in 1582, which led to Nobunaga's death at Honno-ji...
- Magoichi Saika
- Yukimura SanadaSanada Yukimurawas a Japanese samurai, second son of the Sengoku period daimyo Sanada Masayuki . His proper name was Sanada Nobushige , named after Takeda Shingen's younger brother Takeda Nobushige, who was a brave and respected warrior. He and his father were known as being excellent military tacticians...
- Keiji MaedaMaeda Toshimasu, better known as ' or Keijirō , was a Japanese samurai of the Sengoku Period through early Edo Period. Toshimasu was born to the Takigawa Clan of Owari, originally the son of Takigawa Kazumasu. He was adopted by Maeda Toshihisa, the older brother of Maeda Toshiie. Toshimasu served under Oda...
- Masamune DateDate Masamunewas a regional strongman of Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama period through early Edo period. Heir to a long line of powerful daimyo in the Tōhoku region, he went on to found the modern-day city of Sendai...
- Hanzo HattoriHattori Hanzo, also known as , was a famous samurai and ninja master of the Sengoku era, credited with saving the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu and then helping him to become the ruler of united Japan. Today, he is often a subject of modern popular culture.-Biography:...
- Kenshin UesugiUesugi Kenshinwas a daimyo who ruled Echigo province in the Sengoku period of Japan.He was one of the most powerful lords of the Sengoku period. While chiefly remembered for his prowess on the battlefield, Kenshin is also regarded as an extremely skillful administrator who fostered the growth of local industries...
- Shingen TakedaTakeda Shingen, of Kai Province, was a preeminent daimyo in feudal Japan with exceptional military prestige in the late stage of the Sengoku period.-Name:Shingen was called "Tarō" or "Katsuchiyo" during his childhood...
- NōNohimealso Kichō or Lady Noh, was the wife of Oda Nobunaga, a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. Her proper name was Kichō, but since she came from Mino Province, she is most commonly referred to as Nōhime . She was renowned for her beauty and cleverness.Nōhime's father was the...
- OichiOichior a female historical figure in the late Sengoku period. She is known primarily as the mother of three daughters who married well -- Yodo-dono, Ohatsu and Oeyo....
- Ina (not playable in original SW)
- OkuniIzumo no Okuniwas the originator of kabuki theater. She was believed to be a miko at the Grand Shrine of Izumo who began performing this new style of dancing, singing, and acting in the dry riverbeds of Kyoto.-Early years:...
- Yoshimoto ImagawaImagawa Yoshimotowas one of the leading daimyo in the Sengoku period Japan. Based in Suruga Province, he was one of the three daimyo that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He was one of the dominant daimyo in Japan for a time, until his death in 1560....
(Only playable in SW:XL and SW2:XL)
New characters
These are the characters who debuted in Samurai Warriors 2.- Ieyasu TokugawaTokugawa Ieyasuwas the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
(Originally a unique NPC in the first game) - Nagamasa AzaiAzai Nagamasawas a Daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japan. His clan, the Azai, were located in northern Ōmi Province, east of Lake Biwa. He was both the brother-in-law of Oda Nobunaga, starting in 1564, and one of Nobunaga's enemies from 1570-1573. Nagamasa and his clan were utterly destroyed by Oda...
(Originally a unique NPC in the first game) - Musashi MiyamotoMiyamoto Musashi, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman and rōnin. Musashi, as he was often simply known, became renowned through stories of his excellent swordsmanship in numerous duels, even from a very young age...
- Yoshihiro ShimazuShimazu Yoshihirowas the second son of Shimazu Takahisa and younger brother of Shimazu Yoshihisa. It had traditionally been believed that he became the seventeenth head of the Shimazu clan after Yoshihisa, but it is currently believed that he let Yoshihisa keep his position....
- Kotaro Fuma
- Kanetsugu NaoeNaoe Kanetsuguwas a Japanese samurai of the 16th-17th centuries. The eldest son of Higuchi Kanetoyo, Kanetsugu was famed for his service to two generations of the Uesugi daimyo. He was also known by his court title, Yamashiro no Kami or his childhood/adolescent name, Higuchi Kanetsugu .Kanetsugu served first as...
(Originally a generic NPC in the first game) - Sakon ShimaShima Sakon, also known as , was a Japanese samurai of the late Sengoku period. Shima eventually left the service of the Tsutsui, and eventually joined Ishida Mitsunari under the banner of the Uesugi Clan...
- Mitsunari IshidaIshida MitsunariIshida Mitsunari was a samurai who led the Western army in the Battle of Sekigahara following the Azuchi-Momoyama period of the 17th century. Also known by his court title, Jibunoshō...
(Originally a generic NPC in the first game) - Ginchiyo TachibanaTachibana Ginchiyowas the head of the Japanese clan of Tachibana during the Sengoku Period of the 16th century. Ginchiyo was the daughter of Tachibana Dōsetsu, retainer of the Ōtomo . Because Dosetsu had no sons, he requested that Ginchiyo be made family head after his death...
- NeneNene (person)or One was an aristocratic lady during the Sengoku and Edo periods of Japanese history known for her intelligence and marriage to Toyotomi Hideyoshi...
- Katsuie ShibataShibata Katsuieor was a Japanese military commander during the Sengoku Period who served Oda Nobunaga.-Biography:Katsuie was born in the Shibata family, a branch of the Shiba clan . Note the differences between , , and the .Katsuie was the retainer of Oda Nobukatsu...
(Playable only in SW2[as a unique bodyguard], SW2: Empires and SW2: Xtreme Legends) - Kojiro SasakiSasaki Kojirowas a prominent Japanese swordsman widely considered as a Kensei, born in Fukui Prefecture. He lived during the Sengoku and early Edo periods and is most remembered for his death while battling Miyamoto Musashi in 1612.-History:...
(Playable only in SW2[as a unique bodyguard], SW2: Empires and SW2: Xtreme Legends) - Toshiie MaedaMaeda Toshiiewas one of the leading generals of Oda Nobunaga following the Sengoku period of the 16th century extending to the Azuchi-Momoyama period. His father was Maeda Toshimasa. He was the fourth of seven brothers. His childhood name was "Inuchiyo" . His preferred weapon was a yari and he was known as...
(Playable only in SW2: Xtreme Legends) - Motochika ChōsokabeChosokabe Motochikawas a Sengoku period daimyo in Japan. He was the 21st chief of the Chōsokabe clan of Tosa Province . He was the son and heir of Chōsokabe Kunichika and his mother was a daughter of the Saitō clan of Mino Province....
(Playable only in SW2: Xtreme Legends) - GraciaHosokawa Gracia', usually referred to as ', was a Christian convert, a daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide and the wife of Hosokawa Tadaoki....
(Playable only in SW2: Xtreme Legends)
Yoshimoto Imagawa
Imagawa Yoshimoto
was one of the leading daimyo in the Sengoku period Japan. Based in Suruga Province, he was one of the three daimyo that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He was one of the dominant daimyo in Japan for a time, until his death in 1560....
, Goemon Ishikawa
Ishikawa Goemon
was a semi-legendary Japanese outlaw hero who stole gold and valuables and gave them to the poor. Goemon is notable for being boiled alive along with his son in public after a failed assassination attempt on the civil war-era warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. A large iron kettle-shaped bathtub is now...
, and Kunoichi
Kunoichi
is the term for a female ninja or practitioner of ninjutsu .-Etymology:The term is thought to derive from the names of characters that resemble the three strokes in the kanji character for ; said in the order they are written: ku - no - ichi...
from the original Samurai Warriors were removed from this game, but the character Nene
Nene (person)
or One was an aristocratic lady during the Sengoku and Edo periods of Japanese history known for her intelligence and marriage to Toyotomi Hideyoshi...
seems to be a replacement for Kunoichi due to similarities in combat characteristics and skills, and Yoshimoto Imagawa
Imagawa Yoshimoto
was one of the leading daimyo in the Sengoku period Japan. Based in Suruga Province, he was one of the three daimyo that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He was one of the dominant daimyo in Japan for a time, until his death in 1560....
was brought back to the series in Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends.
Despite initial images being released, Katsuie Shibata
Shibata Katsuie
or was a Japanese military commander during the Sengoku Period who served Oda Nobunaga.-Biography:Katsuie was born in the Shibata family, a branch of the Shiba clan . Note the differences between , , and the .Katsuie was the retainer of Oda Nobukatsu...
and Kojiro Sasaki
Sasaki Kojiro
was a prominent Japanese swordsman widely considered as a Kensei, born in Fukui Prefecture. He lived during the Sengoku and early Edo periods and is most remembered for his death while battling Miyamoto Musashi in 1612.-History:...
were only special NPCs (with their own character model) as Yoshimoto Imagawa
Imagawa Yoshimoto
was one of the leading daimyo in the Sengoku period Japan. Based in Suruga Province, he was one of the three daimyo that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He was one of the dominant daimyo in Japan for a time, until his death in 1560....
, Kennyo Honganji
Kosa
, also known as Hongan-ji Kennyo , was the 11th head of the Hongan-ji in Kyoto, and Chief Abbot of Ishiyama Hongan-ji, cathedral fortress of the Ikkō-ikki , during its siege at the end of the Sengoku Period...
, Hideyoshi Hashiba/Toyotomi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
, Ieyasu Tokugawa
Tokugawa Ieyasu
was the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan , which ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Ieyasu seized power in 1600, received appointment as shogun in 1603, abdicated from office in 1605, but...
and Nagamasa Azai
Azai Nagamasa
was a Daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japan. His clan, the Azai, were located in northern Ōmi Province, east of Lake Biwa. He was both the brother-in-law of Oda Nobunaga, starting in 1564, and one of Nobunaga's enemies from 1570-1573. Nagamasa and his clan were utterly destroyed by Oda...
were in the original Samurai Warriors. If the player completes certain objectives in the game's Survival Mode, however, Katsuie and Kojirō may be unlocked as special bodyguards. As a note, screenshots from the Japanese version of Samurai Warriors 2 Empires have confirmed that both Shibata Katsuie and Sasaki Kojirō are playable characters in the game. Imagawa Yoshimoto and Honganji Kennyo were completely removed due to conflicting time periods; for the same reason, the battles of Inabayama, Ise-Nagashima, and other battles featuring the Imagawa or the Ikko-ikki are removed. The Battle of Okehazama exists solely in the opening movies of Nobunaga, Noh (same as Nobunaga's), and Mitsuhide. Also, Okuni and Ranmaru do not have Story Modes in Samurai Warriors 2, but are still playable in other modes (Note that both Okuni and Ranmaru can be played in Story Mode in multi-player mode only).
Minor clans include: Mori, Hojo, Otani, Chosokabe, Shibata, Saika, Asakura
The English voice production was provided by Montreal recording studio Agile Sound, with the voice casting provided by their sister company Total Casting.
The 6000 lines for the 33 characters were recorded in 33 days using 25 actors.
Samurai Warriors 2 Empires
Samurai Warriors 2 Empires (戦国無双2 Empires) is an expansion to the original Samurai Warriors 2 and the third Empires expansion by Koei (The first was Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires, and the second was Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires), available for PlayStation 2PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. The game was first released in Japan on November 16, 2006.
Very similar to both Dynasty Warriors 4 Empires and Dynasty Warriors 5 Empires, the game features the strategic and tactical Empire Mode that combines the gameplay of Samurai Warriors and several turn-based strategy elements from Nobunaga's Ambition
Nobunaga's Ambition
is a series of turn-based grand strategy role-playing simulation video games, first released in 1983 by the Japanese video game developer Koei.Games in the franchise have been released on a variety of gaming platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Game Boy, Sega Mega Drive,...
and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The Empire mode allows the player to select from some of Japan's greatest battles such as the battle of Kawanakajima, the battle of Anegawa
Battle of Anegawa
The 1570 came as a reaction to Oda Nobunaga's sieges of the castles of Odani and Yokoyama, which belonged to the Azai and Asakura clans. It was also referred to as the Battle of Nomura by the Oda and Azai clans and the Battle of Mitamura by the Asakura clan.As warriors sallied forth from the...
, the incident at Honnō-ji
Honno-ji
is a temple of the Nichiren branch of Buddhism located in Kyoto, Japan. Its honzon is mandara-honzon from Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.-History:...
and the battle of Sekigahara
Battle of Sekigahara
The , popularly known as the , was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600 which cleared the path to the Shogunate for Tokugawa Ieyasu...
.
In the CAW Mode, the options are limited to 13 models with 10 color patterns each, as well as four different voices. Fortunately, a new feature is added to the mix: the ability to copy movesets of other characters.
Unlike Samurai Warriors Xtreme Legends, the game does not feature new characters for the series. However, Sasaki Kojirō
Sasaki Kojiro
was a prominent Japanese swordsman widely considered as a Kensei, born in Fukui Prefecture. He lived during the Sengoku and early Edo periods and is most remembered for his death while battling Miyamoto Musashi in 1612.-History:...
and Shibata Katsuie
Shibata Katsuie
or was a Japanese military commander during the Sengoku Period who served Oda Nobunaga.-Biography:Katsuie was born in the Shibata family, a branch of the Shiba clan . Note the differences between , , and the .Katsuie was the retainer of Oda Nobukatsu...
, who were unplayable special bodyguards in the original Samurai Warriors 2, are now playable characters in Samurai Warriors 2 Empires.
Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends
Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends (戦国無双2 猛将伝: Sengoku Musou 2 Moushouden) was first released on August 23, 2007 in Japan for the PlayStation 2PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
. It is the fifth Xtreme Legends expansion by Koei, and also the first and only Xtreme Legends expansion since Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends to be released after Empires (Other Xtreme Legends expansions are released shortly after the release of the original game). It shares the same achievements with the parent game on the Xbox 360.
The expansion introduced new characters to the series, including Maeda Toshiie
Maeda Toshiie
was one of the leading generals of Oda Nobunaga following the Sengoku period of the 16th century extending to the Azuchi-Momoyama period. His father was Maeda Toshimasa. He was the fourth of seven brothers. His childhood name was "Inuchiyo" . His preferred weapon was a yari and he was known as...
, Gracia
Hosokawa Gracia
', usually referred to as ', was a Christian convert, a daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide and the wife of Hosokawa Tadaoki....
and Chōsokabe Motochika
Chosokabe Motochika
was a Sengoku period daimyo in Japan. He was the 21st chief of the Chōsokabe clan of Tosa Province . He was the son and heir of Chōsokabe Kunichika and his mother was a daughter of the Saitō clan of Mino Province....
. Imagawa Yoshimoto
Imagawa Yoshimoto
was one of the leading daimyo in the Sengoku period Japan. Based in Suruga Province, he was one of the three daimyo that dominated the Tōkaidō region. He was one of the dominant daimyo in Japan for a time, until his death in 1560....
from Samurai Warriors: Xtreme Legends returned in the expansion with an updated character design, and Shibata Katsuie
Shibata Katsuie
or was a Japanese military commander during the Sengoku Period who served Oda Nobunaga.-Biography:Katsuie was born in the Shibata family, a branch of the Shiba clan . Note the differences between , , and the .Katsuie was the retainer of Oda Nobukatsu...
and Sasaki Kojirō
Sasaki Kojiro
was a prominent Japanese swordsman widely considered as a Kensei, born in Fukui Prefecture. He lived during the Sengoku and early Edo periods and is most remembered for his death while battling Miyamoto Musashi in 1612.-History:...
from Samurai Warriors 2 Empires are also playable and have new weapons. Shibata Katsuie wields two hand axe
Hand axe
A hand axe is a bifacial Stone tool typical of the lower and middle Palaeolithic , and is the longest-used tool of human history.-Distribution:...
s, while Sasaki Kojirō still carries a nodachi , but can now summon an ex-dimensional sword during battle.
Because Imagawa Yoshimoto was put back into the game, the previously omitted Battle of Okehazama is brought back, and Hideyoshi's Shikoku campaign against Chosokabe Motochika is also included.
A new mode known as Mercenary Mode is in the game. It resembles Xtreme Mode from Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends.
Playable characters can now be upgraded to level 70; in the original the highest level was 50. Bodyguards can also level up to 30, when in the original 20 was the highest level.
Fifth weapons are present in the game, however, unlike the first game, the weapons has the same attack base as the original (before, the fifth weapon would have a higher attack base). Some considered it as an "alternative fourth weapon". In Samurai Warriors 2, the highest upgrade is fourth weapons.
In order to play the full functionality of this game the original is required. "Import" selected on the main menu will guide you though a disk switching process. Xbox 360 players must download the expansion via the Xbox Marketplace as there is no stand alone disc available in stores.
External links
- Koei's Official Site
- KOEI Warriors – Your Dynasty, Samurai & Other Warriors Resources
- Samurai Warriors 2 at Gamecity
- Official Samurai Warriors 2 Minisite
- Official Samurai Warriors 2 Empires Minisite
- Official Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends Minisite
- Agile Sound's Official Site
- Total Casting's Official Site
- Official Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends European Minisite
- Official Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends Italian Minisite
- Samurai Warriors 2 Xtreme Legends at Gamecity
- Samurai Warriors 2 Empires at Gamecity