The last thing the world needs is another Dynasty Warriors game. After the cluster-missile mess that was Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire, it seemed like those super-sized robots were overdue for video game retirement as well. When the creators of two maligned series team up, there are several ways things can go down. Their combined ineptitude could fuse, creating a super-concentrated black hole of awfulness. Or, if you're the type to see the Musou gauge as half-full, there's the possibility that the partnership could help isolate each participant's strengths, creating something greater. Believe it or not Dynasty Warriors Gundam is better than you'd expect. Don't go celebrating just yet, kids. This meeting of the minds may be a marked improvement, but it’s still nothing to signal the home world over.

Samurai Jacked

If you've played one Dynasty Warriors game you've played them all. Dynasty Warriors Gundam is no exception. Here players control a human in a futuristic battle suit rather than a samurai in historic garb. Everything else plays the same. The hero hacks through hordes of enemies with a laser sword, attempting to gain control of battlefields and smite enemy generals. Imagine the generic hack-and-slash of prior Dynasty Warriors games with a space-aged skin and you're in the right quadrant. There's very little new here, but that's okay because the change of scenery was just what this series needed.

Robot Love

It's a proven fact: robots are awesome. Mobile Suit Gundam, one of the longest-running mech-themed anime series, has some of the most iconic tech designs this side of Syd Mead. While the bots don't move with the swiftness and freedom that gamers enjoyed in Zone of Enders, the combos and attacks afforded by the Dynasty Warriors battle system are a great improvement over trudging combat and simulator-style movement. The game caters to fans of two Gundam story lines. The “official” story tracks characters from the “Universal Century” story line that started way back in the '80s. The “original” plot focuses on newer, attitude-laden characters from the '90s. Both stories offer multiple playable characters and unique robots to play. The story may be lightweight, but it’s a sight better than the lame samurai stories that drive typical Dynasty Warriors games.

Now With More Sparks

The fact that this game is on a next-generation console certainly helps. Dynasty Warriors games on the PlayStation 2 were typically ugly, with boxed in levels that felt anything but organic. Boosted processing power of new consoles allows for more eye candy. Fights are gussied up with flashy visual effects and levels, especially the areas in orbit, feel vast and occasionally epic. Another next-gen perk is the ability to play the game with Japanese dialog. The English voice acting isn't half as bad as the dire performances in most Dynasty Warriors games, but the option to switch to native language for authenticity is appreciated. Little touches of care are what save this game. From the appealing menu system to the carefully rendered robots, there appears to be more effort here than the in last three Dynasty Warriors games combined. Novelty is a little harder to come by. Dynasty Warriors Gundam doesn't aim to revolutionize either series, but it does represent a single, rocket-fueled step in the right direction.

Review by: Gus Mastrapa
Video Produced by: Rob Manuel