


To thwart a warlord, you'll have to maintain your army's morale, know when to attack and retreat, and work in concert with allied commanders. But it's the behind-the-scenes strategy that puts the art in Samurai's otherwise mindlessly fun war. Each of the game's 15 or so playable fighters specializes in a specific pointy object and wades through rivals with a repertoire of pokes. On the surface, the series is simple: If it moves, stab it, and when it stops, find something else to skewer. Dynasty Warriors' cast of thousands may be got up in different garb, but the song remains the same in Samurai Warriors.

Sushi replaces dim sum, and Samurai, rather than Chinese swordsmen, spill blood by the gallon.
