• Publisher: Koei
  • Release Date: Mar 28, 2006
Metascore
62 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 23
  2. Negative: 4 out of 23
  1. Empires makes the series bigger and better than ever with new scenarios, large scale battles, new policies and plenty of strategy to keep your mind fully engaged.
  2. This is the game I have been expecting to find in the previous titles, one that lets me make the battlefield and kingdom decisions rather than being pulled along by the story.
  3. In the fusion of strategy and action, the game proves itself worthy of continuing the Dynasty. [May 2006, p.53]
  4. If you haven't played DW before, or if you're a fan but you've found it overwhelming, this is the sweet spot. There is no better time to get involved with this interesting – if over-exposed – series than right now.
  5. Empires provides equal portions of action and strategy, and dishes out an adventure that will gleefully eat up huge chunks of players' time.
  6. Once again, the Empires expansion of Koei's long-running hack-and-slash action series turns out to be the bright spot amid the doldrums of endless button-mashing, thanks to some legitimately interesting strategy.
  7. This is still the best Dynasty Warriors out there, and still well worth playing, but there's just not much reason to buy it if you have even a single eariler entry in the series.
  8. 70
    Empires is an enjoyable game, but we'd like to see it become part of the main game, rather than continue to be a standalone add-on pack.
  9. But not even building an empire can keep Dynasty Warriors 5 from feeling archaic and shallow. We've been doing this same thing for something like ten games in a row now.
  10. 70
    While a fairly competent game, it just doesn't manage to add enough new content to make it worth a serious look.
  11. I like it, but I don't love it, and a part of me is really getting tired of it. The series needs to do something else – something new – if it wants to flourish.
  12. It's a return to the glorious Three Kingdom era again, and the second try at the Empire spin-off. The gameplay remains intact, but the strategy and modes also remain paper-thin.
  13. We're tired of the senseless bloodshed, so the core action drags - the tactical elements are definitely improving though. [July 2006, p.89]
  14. If you like this franchise's simple brand of mind-numbing hack 'n slash action, then Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires will deliver exactly what you want: more of the same. [May 2006, p.98]
  15. The same old Dynasty Warriors, but with a competent-yet-underwhelming strategy game stapled onto it. Yet more of the same old thing unfortunately. [July 2006, p.98]
  16. Feels archaic, despite the additions. Best wait for Koei's PS3 output. [July 2006, p.84]
  17. 53
    Dynasty Warriors has long outstayed its welcome, and even with Empires' semi-cool strategic elements, the game won't please anyone except the die-hard fans that, for whatever reason, just keep coming back for more.
  18. Dynasty Warriors obsessives can be sure they're getting something as comfortingly familiar as the delicate aroma of their own dribble-infused pillow.
  19. Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires isn't terrible, it's just totally uninspiring.
  20. And despite how nifty the enhanced Empire mode may sound, the emphasis on the same old gameplay renders it a bonus for those that have enjoyed past titles and a non-factor for everyone else.
  21. The only thing that has changed is a slight improvement in looks. Please Koei, stop. We give in. Chinese water torture has nothing on this.
  22. But an obtuse and under-documented strategic layer with a bad interface can only get you so far when it comes to recycling the same Dynasty Warrior game yet again. [July 2006, p.93]
  23. 35
    Shun this bloody awful game. [Issue 141, p.90]
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. FueV.
    8
    We as koei fan, in future game of dynasty, we like to see the graphic like dynasty warrior 3, instand of 4 and 5. because the 3 graphic is much better and it's more realytic. however, we like to see each troop represent each number. not just 20 troops represent 20,000 troops. for example if u have 5,000 troops can koei make 5,000 soldiers instand of 20 soldiers. or reduce the maximane troop to 2,000 instand of 20,000 in DW5-E and make 2,000 soldiers. Full Review »
  2. AdamM.
    9
    its a great game everything is ace stratagey and controling your officers in battle is ace. but for experianced dynasty warriors players its quite easy and vetran players can finish it quite fast. Full Review »
  3. CareyA.
    9
    This is an excellent strategy game. I love strategy games, but dynasty warriors 5 empire is the first strategy game that I get excited about. Sure it has some flaws, and they can be aggravating, but overall it Full Review »