Dynasty Warriors producer fends off criticism

by Nick Doerr { Feb 11th 2008 at 1:30PM }

The Dynasty Warriors games and all Koei's subsequent spin-off franchises utilizing the familiar formula get a lot of heat from reviewers and bloggers like us. However, nobody can deny how darn well the titles sell, especially in Japan. They're basically the Dragon Quest for hack-n-slash button mashers. This is mostly the route Dynasty Warriors 6 producer Ken Matsumoto took when he defended the game in a recent interview. But what else did he say?

From a graphical perspective, all the characters have gotten new animations and the fog of war has been completely lifted (unless, we assume, there is a fog on the battlefield on purpose). Since the storyline is based in history, Matsumoto says the challenge with making new games is that the story can't really change. He says most reviews he has read for DW6 don't mention any of the new things they've added to the game -- branching scenario trees, swimming, and climbing ladders are what we assume he means -- which can be annoying to read from a designer's perspective. He says subtleties have the most value, and removing the fog, allowing characters to swim and climb are pretty good improvements for what was always the definitive battlefield franchise. We'll have more when we review the game in the coming weeks.

Tags: dw6, dynasty-warriors-6, koei

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

PS3FanxD @ Feb 11th 2008 2:06PM

I think what he means is that most reviewers (Especially Gamespot) when reviewing the game, all they say is how the game repetitive, button-smashing, same game over and over without really looking into it. I bet they only played it for 10-20 minutes. Every game is different in many ways, I played most of the Dynasty warriors game so I know. I don't see how reviewers keep bringing down the score in the hack-n-slash genre because of it being repetitive while all shooters have the same gameplay no matter what you play. All you do is shoot stuff. Most reviewers suck these days, like in gametrailers the review for One piece: UA. I was waiting for them to talk about the multiplayer mode because it seems huge with roughly 40 characters, but nothing. All they go into is how you find items and craft them to continue for single player, but nothing on the multiplayer and everything else.

Vincent060 @ Feb 11th 2008 2:55PM

I agree completely, reviewers seem to be inconsistent with their reviews. I remember Gamespot taking off a lot of points from R&CF:ToD basically because there was too much to do. But many people who reviewed Halo 3 said they died many times because the ally AI was so dumb that they were killed by them either from being run over or being shot by them. Then they say it that it wasn't a "big issue."

ClarkyCat @ Feb 11th 2008 3:02PM

Indeed, the DW series gets a lot of undeserved criticism. The Empires series especially, those games have a lot more depth than a simple hack n slash, which most reviewers just write off regardless. That said, with all the overly contrived titles available now which are so complicated that they end up not being fun, it's nice to pick up and play a title which has enjoyable, old school gameplay.

Ghaleon @ Feb 11th 2008 2:55PM

BUT SHE'S GOT A NEW HAT

ElStefio @ Feb 11th 2008 6:47PM

That's gotta be the best placement of a Simpsons reference i've seen in a long time.

chris.westermann @ Feb 11th 2008 3:03PM

I am sure there are a lot of technical innovations in the game, but if the game sucks because of boring gameplay or lack of depth in the story, then the game sucks, period. Nobody says "Hey, did you see that that awesome senario tree branch!" or "Wow, my character can swim or climb a ladder, how innovative!" Come on!

PS3FanxD @ Feb 11th 2008 3:17PM

Yeah but the thing is, in DW6 there are many, I mean many changes to the series. Every character has new appearance, new weapons, a lot new moves, styles, etc. Climbing a ladder or the ability to swim is just some of the add-ons but I think they should have been in the game since DW3-5 already.

maverick_saturn_626 @ Feb 11th 2008 3:38PM

Yeah, but yet, Monster Hunter 2 is given 6 by Gamespot for reasons of which I still do not understand, and somehow, the likes of Halo 2 which was boring as hell get 9.4, I mean wtf?

I hate reviewers sometimes, they see things based on their likes or dislikes and based upon the country, which isn't a bad thing, but each country has different tastes. That has to be taken into consideration.

EDW @ Feb 12th 2008 1:48PM

new characters, new weapons, and the ablilities to swim and climb ladders are not substantial changes. these things and more are expected in sequels.

Freemen @ Feb 11th 2008 4:27PM

At the end of the day DW6 will sell, especially in Japan regardless of reviews.

Bluebreaker @ Feb 11th 2008 8:44PM

I don't see why he's complaining. People like the game, it's still popular as all hell, and Koei's getting a lot of money from it laughing (with happiness) all the way to the bank. He shouldn't be so hung up on the net reviews. The people have already spoken. (Like "My God, Is That DIAO CHAN??) :)

Bluebreaker @ Feb 11th 2008 8:45PM

Yeah, that was a pretty spot on quote.

usagi704 @ Feb 12th 2008 10:26AM

Here's the problem with the DW series: boring ass combat system. It the combat was deep and rewarding, then I'd be all about it, but it sucks and they never really try to change it ever. Want examples of what they should get their inspiration from? Try these: DMC4, God of War, Heavenly Sword, God Hand, Yakuza, etc. I'm not saying they should copy any of those games exactly, but they are good examples of good combat systems that are fun.