Warriors Orochi 2

Warriors Orochi 2 (無双OROCHI 魔王再臨, Musou Orochi Maō Sairin, Unmatched Orochi: Rebirth of the Demon Lord) is the sequel to Warriors Orochi. This game features thirteen new characters and eight completely new stages.

Gameplay

 * In the original game, there was a nine-leveled Proficiency attribute that upgrades characters' special attacks to make them more powerful. It could be leveled by a certain number of combos on a character. Proficiency in Warriors Orochi 2 makes characters more resilient to attacks. Defeating five hundred enemies or five generals increases the level to a maximum of 50. Reaching 10 proficiency unlocks the characters' third costume.


 * It is easier to switch between characters than before. Characters can be switched whilst mounted and during combos.


 * Each character has also received a Strategy, which is activated after a certain objective is met.


 * Face Off: K.O. three hundred troops; reduces damage inflicted on allies forces.
 * Dance: Defeat a general after ten minutes in battle; heals the life of allied troops.
 * Command: Personally defeat five officers; boosts ally morale
 * Shield: Requires one hundred K.Os. Increases the defense of the allied commander.
 * Volley: Activated after the character defeats three generals. Increases the damage of all ranged attacks.


 * Team members can support one another when the character in the field is in trouble. When the player is hit, tap L1 with or undefined.  will bring out the character left of the player's character icon and undefined will call out the one on the right. This command uses a portion of the summoned character's musou so it can't be used as often as a R1 counter from the Technique class.


 * Characters can perform a desperation attack called Triple Attack. It can be activated by simultaneously pressing L2 and R2 when the character being controlled has their life in the red and a full musou bar. What follows is a special attack sequence where all three characters will come out and attack the enemy. Certain team combinations have unique versions of this move, each team having some special signifigence, from certain titles, relationships, similar stereotypes, or similar weapons:
 * Cao Cao, Liu Bei, & Sun Jian, ”The Founders of the Three Kingdoms”
 * Nobunaga Oda, Ieyasu Tokugawa, & Hideyoshi Toyotomi, ”The Three Great Unifiers of Japan”
 * Liu Bei, Guan Yu, & Zhang Fei, ”The Three Sworn Brothers of Shu”
 * Sun Ce, Sun Quan, & Sun Shang Xiang, ”The Children of Sun Jian”
 * Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, & Zhou Yu, ”The Great Chinese Strategists”
 * Wei Yan, Mitsuhide Akechi, & Lu Bu, ”The Mighty Traitors”
 * Huang Zhong, Xiahou Yuan, & Ina, ”Masters of the Bow”
 * Dian Wei, Zhou Tai, & Ranmaru Mori, ”Devoted Bodyguards”
 * Magoichi Saika, Masamune Date, & Ieyasu Tokugawa, ”Heavy Firepower”
 * Kunoichi, Hanzō Hattori, & Kotaro Fuma, ”Ninja Team-Up”
 * Da Ji, Zhen Ji, & Noh, ”Deadly Beauties”
 * Orochi, Lu Bu, & Tadakatsu Honda, ”The All-Powerful Warriors”
 * Taigong Wang, Fu Xi, & Nu Wa, ”The Mystics”


 * The unique item does not return but is instead replaced by the Treasure element. They can be collected by completing certain missions in select Story stages. Together with attributes from spare weapons, they can make unique upgrades for characters' weapons.


 * Horse jumping is now an ability limited to Samurai Warriors type characters. The only way a character with the Dynasty Warriors archetype can perform this technique is through a game glitch, which essentially involves continuous dashing and undefined jamming on a horse.

Characters
All characters from the previous title return for the sequel. A total of fifteen new characters have been added into the game. Eight completely new officers are introduced. Two characters return from Dynasty Warriors 3 and the five officers in Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends also make their appearance.

From Previous Games

 * Fu Xi
 * Nu Wa
 * Kojiro Sasaki
 * Katsuie Shibata
 * Toshiie Maeda
 * Motochika Chosokabe
 * Gracia

Newcomers

 * Taigong Wang
 * Yoshitsune Minamoto
 * Kiyomori Taira
 * Himiko
 * Sun Wukong
 * Gyuki
 * Dodomekki
 * Orochi X

Story Mode
The Story Mode is expanded to include a story dedicated to Orochi, which starts before the events of the first title. Stories no longer contain "Gaiden" stages, and consist of eight stages.

Shu
Liu Bei will begin hunting for Da Ji who is intending to resurrect Orochi. During the Battle of Shi Ting, Taigong Wang and Zuo Ci appear to help capture her.


 * Starters
 * Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Xing Cai, Sun Shang Xiang, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Tadakatsu Honda, Inahime, Hanzō Hattori and Yoshimoto Imagawa


 * Unlockable
 * Taigong Wang, Zuo Ci, Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, Lu Xun, Mitsuhide Akechi, Gracia, Zhang Liao, Zhuge Liang and Yue Ying
 * Bonus: Himiko

Battles

 * Shi Ting
 * Saika Village
 * Nagashino
 * Wuhang Mountains
 * Jia Meng Gate
 * Odani Castle
 * Koshi Castle
 * Wu Zhang Plains

Wei
Nu Wa joins the Wei army under the pretense of acting as a guide for Cao Cao. Wary of his ambition, she keeps a close eye on him.


 * Starters
 * Cao Cao, Nu Wa, Dian Wei, Zhang He, Kunoichi, and San Zang (PSP Port only)


 * Unlockable
 * Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Yuan Shao, Jiang Wei, Taishi Ci, Magoichi Saika, Toshiie Maeda, Cao Pi, Cao Ren, Zhen Ji, Pang Tong, Nagamasa Azai, Oichi, Mitsunari Ishida, Katsuie Shibata and Nobunaga Oda
 * Bonus: Sun Wukong

Battles

 * Si Province
 * Si Shui Gate
 * Shizugatake
 * Ji Castle
 * Komaki-Nagakute
 * Yamatai
 * Tong Gate
 * Guan Du

Wu
The Wu army led by Ranmaru Mori rescues the mysterious Yoshitsune Minamoto from Lu Bu. Yoshitsune is on a quest to search for Kiyomori Taira, who wants to resurrect Orochi.


 * Starters
 * Sun Jian, Sun Quan, Huang Gai, Zhou Tai, Ling Tong, Okuni, Ranmaru Mori, Ginchiyo Tachibana and Motochika Chosokabe


 * Unlockables
 * Yoshitsune Minamoto, Zhou Yu, Xiao Qiao, Goemon Ishikawa, Meng Huo, Zhu Rong, Sun Ce, Da Qiao, Xu Zhu, Pang De, Ma Chao, Lu Bu and Diao Chan

Battles

 * Ru Xu Kou
 * Kanegasaki
 * Nan Zhong
 * Itsukushima
 * Okehazama
 * Yang Ping Gate
 * Yamazaki
 * Chi Bi

Samurai
A peaceful moment is suddenly disrupted by the tyrant Dong Zhuo. Sakon Shima will meet with Fu Xi. Sakon will gather the aid of Shingen, Kenshin and Nobunaga to stop Orochi's impending resurrection.


 * Starters
 * Sakon Shima, Musashi Miyamoto, Yoshihiro Shimazu, Huang Zhong, Guan Ping and Xu Huang


 * Unlockables
 * Zhang Jiao, Shingen Takeda, Yukimura Sanada, Kojiro Sasaki, Kenshin Uesugi, Kanetsugu Naoe, Fu Xi, Sima Yi, Lu Meng, Gan Ning, Nobunaga Oda, Nohime, Nene and Hideyoshi Toyotomi
 * Bonus: Kiyomori Taira

Battles

 * Lou Sang Village
 * Ji Province
 * Hasedo
 * Chang Ban
 * Liang Province
 * Hu Lao Gate
 * Bai Di Castle
 * Sekigahara

Orochi
Da Ji and Orochi come to the mortal realm to fight legendary warriors. Creating his own inter-dimensional world, the snake demon marches his army to conquer the heroes of China and Japan. It serves as a prequel to the series and answers many questions regarding the serpent king's rise to power.


 * Starters
 * Orochi, Da Ji, Dong Zhuo


 * Unlockables
 * Kotaro Fuma, Keiji Maeda, Zhuge Liang, Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Sun Shang Xiang, Zhou Tai, Da Qiao, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Inahime, Hanzō Hattori and Masamune Date

Battles

 * Odawara Castle (West)
 * Cheng Du
 * Kawanakajima
 * He Fei
 * Edo Castle
 * Yi Ling
 * Mikatagahara
 * Hinokawa

Dream Mode
Known as "Dramatic Mode" in the Japanese version, this mode offers a storyline different from the ones offered in Story Mode. Stages are unlocked when certain criteria are met in Story or Free Modes. Characters are formed in preset teams and are often linked in some way. Aside from experiencing unique stories, completing all the stages unlocks Orochi X, known in the Japanese version as "Shin Orochi".

Survival Mode
This is a Tag-Team mode that is a callback to the original Dynasty Warriors. You choose three characters out of the ones you have unlocked, and battle with three randomly generated characters in an arena much like fighting games. Examples of these games include Mortal Kombat, Tekken, or Virtua Fighter. The walls can be broken and characters can be thrown out of the ring resulting in a defeat of that character. If you win, then you are put up against three other characters and it starts again. Other than that, a player can win a duel if he or she defeats one member of the opposing team. In this mode, level does not matter, as all characters retain their initial statistics.

Versus Mode
Another new mode in Warriors Orochi 2 is the addition of 2 player versus mode. This offers four minigames that pit the players against each other in battle. It includes a total of three games. Tag Team and Elimination takes two players to fight against each other. It differs from the Survival Mode, as it includes two players. Tower's goal is to knock the opponent off of the tower, while being attacked by regular soldiers. Lastly, Steeple Chase, resembles some sort of arcade-style racing game, having participants ride to a finish line.. Items that give players an edge are scattered throughout a track. Players ride a horse, but cannot attack.

Gallery
In the Gallery mode in the selection menu, Wallpapers, Movies, Weapons and the Treasure Guide can be chosen and viewed. The Wallpaper includes concept art, CG renders and special movie images for a character. These Wallpapers can be used by pressing, and viewed by pressing. The various backgrounds can be unlocked by acquiring all abilities for a character, and maxing out proficiency. A feature called the Wallpaper Edit is unlocked by playing as all characters. Along with the Wallpaper, the Movies option allows players to watch the various cutscenes placed between battles in Story mode, that have been unlocked. There are twenty eight in all - Five from each story, the opening, three fillers, and ending. Also able to watch are game previews, which includes Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce and Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends. Weapons unlocked can be viewed for each character in the Weapons option, and the Treasure Guide shows where treasures can be unlocked, and the requirements for doing so.

Bugs and Glitches
Other than the horse charge glitch mentioned earlier in the article, here a few other glitches.


 * Orochi X Glitches
 * The first one is a minor bug and pretty harmless. Play as Orochi X and defeat Da Ji or Kiyomori. The dialogue will rollback to a previous clip rather than play the normal officer defeated line. This seems to happen at Shu's Koshi Castle, Wu's Itsukushima, Samurai's Chang Ban, and Wei's Komaki-Nagakute. There's also the small chance where his C3 will miss one person but completely annihilate two others, regardless of their health or defense. It seems that this bug is more prevalent on the Japanese PSP port than the Playstation 2 or other ports.


 * Petrified Nagamasa Bug
 * During the Battle of Kyushu dream stage, players can experience a rare chance of freezing and bugging when they perform a charge attack while they're standing close to the "petrified" Nagamasa. One of the ladies will have their body stuck halfway through the ground and may not attack, move, or switch. The only way to mend the problem is to soft reset. A variation of the same bug may have the ladies levitate a few feet off the ground with no means to get down.


 * Shingen Throwing Glitch
 * When Shingen performs his R1 counter, it's possible for him to accidentally throw his foe into the ground. This occurs when players try to perform his counter and a team assist at the same time. Unfortunately, since the enemy is stuck underneath the ground, it's impossible to damage them in anyway. There is a slight chance that the game might freeze when this occurs and any mid-stage saves will need to be erased.

PSP Port
Plays in a similar manner as the PSP port for the first title. Starting in February 26, 2009, the Strikeforce Fury forms for Zhao Yun, Sun Shan Xiang, and Xiahou Dun can also be used in the game. They become playable after their respective kingdoms' story modes have been completed. If the characters are in a team with these outfits, they will also perform a unique Triple Attack together.

The extra content introduced in Warriors Orochi Z and a voice option will be added to this port for North American, Chinese and European releases.

Image Song

 * Toxic
 * Performed by HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR
 * * used for commercials

Extrenal Links

 * Official European site
 * Official American site
 * Official Japanese site
 * Official Korean site
 * Official Taiwanese site