Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Review and Rating

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Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Review and Rating; Score: 9/10
Topic Started: Dec 18 2007, 11:23 PM (710 Views)
Wenze	Dec 18 2007, 11:23 PM Post #1
Omniscient Strategist Posts: 1,797 Group: Moderators Member #2,636 Joined: July 17, 2006 Gender Male	Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Review Introduction: Well, I've been saying I was going to do this for a while now, so here it is, my Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Review. Hopefully some will find this useful. Base Ratings Gameplay: 9/10 Graphics: 7.5/10 Story: 9.5/10 Replay Value: 8/10 Music/Sound: 10/10 Overall: 9/10 In-Depth Analysis Gameplay: Moveset System: KOEI has really outdone themselves in this aspect, creating an entirely new system, called Renbu, for their fifth entry into the series. No longer are your attacks limited to how far you are in your S-String, but can be used at any time. S-String attacks go on infinitely, and gain more attacks as your Renbu meter to the left increases. You now have a Charge attack string, using the Triangle button, at your disposal as well. Like the S-String, it also gains more attacks as your Renbu meter levels up. Also, you now have access to five other charge attack types in the game. You can tap the Triangle button for a quick and varying charge attack. You now have a running charge, usable by the Triangle button while running at full dash. Aside from that, you have grapple charges as well, usable by holding the L1 button and pressing either Square or Triangle. Jump Charges remain from previous games as well. In addition to that, characters now have access to one of five Special Moves, usable by pressing L2 while holding a Legend Book. Some characters have similar movesets to others, mainly the non Musou Mode characters. They start out roughly the same, but gain individuality as you level them and their skill trees up. AI: One of the best changes about this edition is the difficulty of the AI. In previous games, most enemies were mindless drones, attacking rarely and only using very little of their moveset. This has been fixed here, as enemies are much more intelligent than before. Soldiers will hit you out of your chain from behind or the sides if you get to close, and officers, even generics, are hard to defeat on even Hard mode. Skill Tree: Each chracter now has a unique skill tree instead of equipable items. Skills may boost stats, increase the maximum number of Legend Books you can carry, Increase the maximum level your Renbu gauge can go up to, and provide other effects. You get one point to add to your skill tree each time your character levels up. Weapons: Weapons now come in three types: Normal, Power, and Technique. Normal weapons increase your attack range as your Renbu gauge goes up, Power weapons increases the likelihood that you will break enemies guard as your Renbu gauge goes up, and Technique type weapons increase your attack speed as your Renbu gauge goes up. You can also get skills and elements on your weapon that have various benefits. Getting weapons is now random, with you never knowing what skills or atrack power you may get, with better weapons generally being found on higher difficulties. Each Musou mode character gets three different looking weapons, one for each type, but non Musou Mode characters have weapons that look alike. Some may lament at the fact that there are no more fourth weapons from previous games. Horses: Horses, like weapons, can have skills and elements on them. Getting horses is also random, and getting one of the famous horses is very difficult. Stages: While there may only be 19 stages this time, they are all very well done, with vast battlefields and beautiful designs. Most stages have several sides to play as, but some like Guandu, Hulao, or Yellow Turban Rebellion, do not have sides for forces like Yuan Shao, Dong Zhuo, or the Yellow Turbans. Swimming/Climbing: Two new features in the game, you can now swim through any body of water to ghet where you need to go, and climb up gates and towers to continue travel or kill enemies. Swimming can be a bit frustrating at times, but if you use it strategically, it can be useful. Climbing is essential in this game, especially in levels like Xudu, where you need to climb over the walls to get inside and let your other forces in. Graphics: The graphics are a definite improvement now that the series has gone next gen. They may not be the best we've ever seen in a game, but they do look good. Lighting and Shading are both done very well in the game and the draw distance is greatly improved. Character models, especially of the playables, look great in this game as well. Story: Yes, the story is mainly the same as the others, but that is to be expected with a game based in history. Having said that, however, there are a few twists this time around. With over three hours of CG scenes telling the story and character interactions, you can expect to be thrilled wit hthis part of the game. Replay Value: You have 41 characters to level up and 17 musou modes to complete in this game. Challenge Mode adds a bit of replay value as well. However, those who were fond of getting the ultimate weapons and horses from before may be dissapointed in this aspect. Music/Sound: The music is much the same as before, so if you liked it then, you'll most likely like it now. Still, I feel that it is the best assortment in the series, with the songs drawing you into to the battle. Actual in game sounds are buffed up now as well, adding to the sense of being in a battle. Conclusion: Thank you for reading this review of KOEI's Shin Sangoku Musou 5. I hope that it has helped you in some way.



Manji	Dec 18 2007, 11:34 PM Post #2
delicious... Posts: 2,329 Group: Global Moderators Member #9,417 Joined: August 28, 2007 Gender Female	I'm glad you mentioned how well the gameplay is, it seems like a lot people are overlooking that aspect, and just focusing on "zomg, no Daw Qaio!!1" I know the gameplay has always been the best part of the DW series for me, so I'm glad to see the renbu system was one of the better changes. Thanks ZhouTai... but I think you could have been a little more critical though. Would you agree with what others have said about the swimming being absolutely pointless and frustrating?
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Wenze	Dec 18 2007, 11:37 PM Post #3
Omniscient Strategist Posts: 1,797 Group: Moderators Member #2,636 Joined: July 17, 2006 Gender Male	Personally, I don't find swimming pointless. You just have to look at it strategically. Say you are at Hefei, and to get where you need to go, you can either go through a multitude of enemies and officers to get there, possibly losing time or dying if it's on a harder difficulty, or jumping into the nearby river to try to get there in a shorter time. Also, I just noticed that I forgot to mention swimming in the review. Edited in!



King Of Wei	Dec 18 2007, 11:41 PM Post #4
Why do they even bother!!!! Posts: 2,393 Group: Members Member #9,380 Joined: August 25, 2007	WoW great Review Zhou Tai You have rated the game so high I only rated it 3/10 DW6 is meant to be much better then DW5 and I don't think that DW6 is better then DW5 just because they made the game much worser by changing everyones weapon into stick <_< All of my favorite characters have been cloned Like Cao Pi has the same weapon as Cao Cao. I have seen Cao Pi gameplay and I thought that his gameplay was good and was very original but I don't like to use the same weapon all the time since it gets boring after times. Anyways DW6 is good but only reason I voted it to 3/10 just because Koei made DW6 much worse because of their weapons and less story mode, less character and no new characters. I mean every dw game had new characters except this one Manji_Ninja, It seems that you really like this game So I am guessing that you are actually going to get this. I think Liugiadoom (sorry I couldn't spell her name right) said not to buy this game just because it ain't that good. EDIT: I totally forgot about swimming and climbing I guess I can rate the game 4/10 now
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Wenze	Dec 18 2007, 11:45 PM Post #5
Omniscient Strategist Posts: 1,797 Group: Moderators Member #2,636 Joined: July 17, 2006 Gender Male	King Of Wei Dec 18 2007, 04:41 PM WoW great Review Zhou Tai You have rated the game so high I only rated it 3/10 DW6 is meant to be much better then DW5 and I don't think that DW6 is better then DW5 just because they made the game much worser by changing everyones weapon into stick <_< All of my favorite characters have been cloned Like Cao Pi has the same weapon as Cao Cao. I have seen Cao Pi gameplay and I thought that his gameplay was good and was very original but I don't like to use weapon all the time since it gets boring after times. Anyways DW6 is good but only reason I voted it to 3/10 just because Koei made DW6 much worse because of their weapons and less story mode, less character and no new characters. I mean every dw game had new characters except this one Manji_Ninja, It seems that you really like this game So I am guessing that you are actually going to get this. I think Liugiadoom (sorry I couldn't spell her name right) said not to buy this game just because it ain't that good. Like I said in the reivew, no two characters are exactly alike, with each gaining differences as they are levelled up. Also, Cao Pi does not have a similar moveset to Cao Cao. Cao Cao is 100% unique. Plus, when you actually play the game, it seems that each chracter's weapons were really meant for them. For example, Wei Yan has that huge bell/club which you wouldn't think would fit him at all. However, when you actually play as him, he has a lot of fierce, green tornadoes and ground pounds, making it fit him quite a bit more, while Huang Gai has fire and explosions in his moveset, despite them being "clones".



King Of Wei	Dec 18 2007, 11:49 PM Post #6
Why do they even bother!!!! Posts: 2,393 Group: Members Member #9,380 Joined: August 25, 2007	Yeah I know that characters don't have the same move set but only problem is the weapon. The gameplay may be good but I liked Cao Pi old weapon much better. Some new weapons suits some characters like Wei Yan. I also don't like Gan Ning musou, his old musou was so cool and his weapon is a bit crap. I liked Ling Tong nunchucks for Ling Tong better. You have to admit that Ling Tong nunchucks are way better then he is now with sticks. When I get PS3 I will get this game because I always liked DW's games.
	*Signature made by Shadow. Huge thanks to Manji for the avatar*


Manji	Dec 18 2007, 11:54 PM Post #7
delicious... Posts: 2,329 Group: Global Moderators Member #9,417 Joined: August 28, 2007 Gender Female	Thanks for sharing your input on the swimming and climbing feature, Tai, I will try to use it only for strategic methods, I think. Apparently you can only get out a certain places though, so I'm sure it must backfire sometimes, no? And KoW, have you even played the game? I ask that because you didn't know Cao Cao has a unique moveset... I'll take your review with a grain of salt if you haven't played it, thanks. >_>
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Wenze	Dec 18 2007, 11:56 PM Post #8
Omniscient Strategist Posts: 1,797 Group: Moderators Member #2,636 Joined: July 17, 2006 Gender Male	Well, it's a new game, so you have to expect some changes. All of the characters you posted are much better in moveset now, IMO. Gan Ning may not have his running musou anymore, but he does have the running attack special, Godspeed. The double short Dao's seem to fit him pretty well, and he is very effective with them, if lacking a bit of range. Cao Pi is greatly improved, being one of the best sword wielders in the game. Ling Tong is definitely more balanced now, with no overpowered moves, but just a generally solid moveset. EDIT: Yeah, swimming can backfire if you're not familiar with the map. After a few trials, you should get the hang of it, though.



King Of Wei	Dec 18 2007, 11:57 PM Post #9
Why do they even bother!!!! Posts: 2,393 Group: Members Member #9,380 Joined: August 25, 2007	Manji_Ninja Dec 18 2007, 10:54 PM Thanks for sharing your input on the swimming and climbing feature, Tai, I will try to use it only for strategic methods, I think. Apparently you can only get out a certain places though, so I'm sure it must backfire sometimes, no? And KoW, have you even played the game? I ask that because you didn't know Cao Cao has a unique moveset... I'll take your review with a grain of salt if you haven't played it, thanks. >_> :lol: I haven't played it yet <_< But most people said that this game isn't that good and when I saw the gameplay and all the characters moveset I started to think that they all were right anyways I will get this game to find it out my self but for now from what I saw I would rate it 5/10 over all now When I get this game I will do a new review of the game
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DeLMrcs	Dec 19 2007, 12:07 AM Post #10
Savior of the Three Kingdoms Posts: 92 Group: Members Member #10,133 Joined: October 5, 2007	Nice Review, personally I wanted to make sure that if you the skill tree was increased, the movesets would be more unique and I guess it is true. Glad to see some of the pros be said than the cons.



KOEI Warriors	Dec 19 2007, 02:41 PM Post #11
_root.admin Posts: 0 Group: Admins Member #1 Joined: August 11, 2005	I'm shocked on the score, thanks for the review man!



M.O.G.	Dec 19 2007, 02:45 PM Post #12
Michael on my right, and Raziel on my left Posts: 4,900 Group: Moderators Member #7,647 Joined: May 30, 2007 Gender Male	Honestly, after playing it myself, I'd rate it no lower than 8.5. I think what people tend to do is look at it as another game in a series, and see that what they wanted isn't there. As a stand alone game, I think it's the best since DW3.
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GoW	Dec 19 2007, 03:02 PM Post #13
KOEI Warriors Unifier Posts: 1,757 Group: Members Member #7,496 Joined: May 22, 2007	Sounds like a pretty honest review to me. Just a bit low on the graphics side for a next gen system. Wonder what the reviewers here will give it when it comes to the US. Probably the usual 5.5 - 6/10



Fayt	Dec 19 2007, 09:24 PM Post #14
Sakon, has left the topic. Posts: 3,638 Group: Members Member #9,265 Joined: August 19, 2007 Gender Male	ZhouTai50 Dec 19 2007, 11:21 PM AI: One of the best changes about this edition is the difficulty of the AI. In previous games, most enemies were mindless drones, attacking rarely and only using very little of their moveset. This has been fixed here, as enemies are much more intelligent than before. Soldiers will hit you out of your chain from behind or the sides if you get to close, and officers, even generics, are hard to defeat on even Hard mode. Now that right there is something I have longed to see for quite sometime from the Warriors games. For so long the difficulty of the games has been beefed by simply making the enemy hit harder, by broken archers (DW3), or by having extremely stupid allied which fall well before you can. This one point makes me rather intrigued; I look forward to having smarter, not stronger opponents to face. Secondly, I like how you pointed out how Swimming and Climbing can be useful, for a Koei game I have to think back to Kessen II for such interactive abilities (which too have climb castle walls & also a siege wall option), anything that makes the environment more interactive in my book is a win. Finally, one consistency I'm gathering from these reviews is good graphics, although not as great as one would expect from next gen (which I can forgive for a 1st/2nd on it) and gameplay is still rated highly. Great review, ZhouTai50!
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crazyboyz	Apr 30 2009, 11:27 AM Post #15
Elite Soldier Posts: 34 Group: Members Member #11,253 Joined: November 19, 2007	I couldnt agree more.



rayhaku	May 5 2009, 07:44 PM Post #16
No.XVI Posts: 453 Group: Members Member #11,342 Joined: November 23, 2007 Gender Male	seriously, that's the lamest way of getting into the members' section
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