Dynasty Warriors 5 (PlayStation 2, 2005)

While you might hear people complain about the number of Dynasty Warriors games, there's a reason the series gets sequels and spinoffs so often: it's really good.

Based on the Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dynasty Warriors 5 strips the epic of its nuance and complexities- and I mean that in the best way- and puts you on the battlefield with a weapon in your hand. You choose one of 50-some characters and fight through their respective historic battles in Musou Mode, or use anyone, anywhere, on any side of the conflict in Free Mode.

Graphics are solid but won't wow the technically-minded player- a necessity of displaying dozens of enemy soldiers at once, I figure. However, the cinematics are colorful and dramatic, easily the equal of a high-end Squaresoft game. The controls are easy and fluid, and the difference in weapons, speed, and technique between characters lends variety to the game- the commands are all the same, but the results vary dramatically.

RPG elements complete the addiction factor. As your character fights his or her way through China, they gain in experience, making them more resilient, and items and weapons which enhance their skills or add new ones. An Ice Orb will allow you to freeze your opponents in place, while the Saddles put you on a variety of horses (or an Elephant!) at the start of the stage. As you defeat enemy generals you also gain boosts to your four main stats: Attack, Defense, Life, and "Musou"- the gauge that fuels your super attacks and determines how long they last. Repeated play of a single character will net you an unstoppable General who can wade through hundreds or even thousands of enemy troops in a single stage.

The downsides to the game are relatively few- in the highest level of difficulty known as Chaos Mode, even minor soldiers (of which there are dozens at a time, as I said) can be difficult for even the strongest fighter with the best gear. Also, if you don't enjoy the basic concept behind the game- a 3D brawler in the vein of such classics as Streets of Rage and Double Dragon- you'll find it getting repetitive quickly. But really, I find it no more repetitive than your average First-Person Shooter.

I really love the Dynasty Warriors games. They're quick and easy to play but offer depth and challenge to those who look for it, and they offer the stress-relief of being the meanest thing in China without being needlessly gory. Try wading through a pile of soldiers after a hard day at work, and you'll be hooked!