Read my review to find out what I mean by "Mixed Reactions"
Gameplay - Well As I've said before DW5 is hack and slash all the way. The Three main Armies have each of thier own playable and unlockable Characters. Each Character vary in stats. Some are light and weak, but are fast and nimble, and vice versa. The Characters each have thier own pride and goal but mainly stick to what thier armies belief is. The Game has a combat combo system which you can pull off simply with the square button and triangle button. Each Character has thier own combo moves as well as musou move. A musou Move is a character special attack, under the life bar there is a musou bar which you have to fill by killing troops and taking damage.
Once it's filled your character will glow signaling that a musou attack is ready. Both the Life and Musou Bar increase by items you find in a pot or by defeating an enemy. The Troops come in the masses though it's just repeated models there are a ton at certain levels, though are mainly weak and easy to defeat. The Officers are tougher and harder but don't put up much of a challenge. If you defeat an officer they'll drop an item to boost your stats, mainly attack and defense. Commanders who are the leader on the battlefield are usually the toughest to beat and if they are defeated which only the player can do the battle is over. Unlocking Characters is fairly simple just play as a certian character and they'll unlock some the highest total is 48 playable characters so there are a lot to choose from.
Items are essential to the game as they'll boost your stats, you can get these items in crates which are usually next to another one, and the harder the level is the higher the level of the item. Weapons are earned by destroying crates which are usually right next to the crate that has the items. A new feature in this is that the weapon can be either heavy, meduim, or fast and is random. There are special items that can be unlocked when certian objectives have been meant, and each character has thier own special weapon which just like the item you have to unlock after meeting certain conditions.Items vary froma Saddle, to orb, to special items while the weapon depend's on what the character uses.
Difficulty - Well the game is very easy to experienced player, for novices they'll find the game fun and enjoying for awhile. There is Easy Mode, Normal Mode, Hard Mode, and Chaos Mode.
Easy Mode - In this mode the enemy is not a threat at all, they usually walk around the player facing him/her a couple of times and then attack. The Harder level's are not much different they just are a bit faster at attacking and do slightly more damage. Same with the officers
Normal Mode - Normal Mode is not that different better for those who have gotten used to the game and the controls, the enemy is slightly smarter and are slightly more agressive but nothing really new. Same with the officers.
Hard Mode - This mode the enemy is aggressive and do alot of damage, sometimes worth a good match, officers are smarter and more deadly now as they use combos of thier own same goes for the commander.
Chaos Mode - After Unlocking a certain character this is mode is by far the hardest one, the enemies are very aggressive and smart, officers can pack a real punch in your life bar, and many health items are taken away to add it all up.
Graphics - Grahpics are pretty nice especially the levels as they are highly detailed, most levels are huge and are queit a sight to view, Characters themselves seem nice and well detailed though in various scenes things such as hair or weapons go through the body and sometimes show at somewhere else and ruins it, but the FMV scenes are amazing. Snow, fire, and all those elements are present in this game and do a near perfect job though it really does lack a bit.
Sound - Well The Music is a mix of Chinese and Rock, the Electic Guitar is the most basic Instrument used in the game and there are over 48 in the ingame soundtrack, the character's voices are exaggerated to an extent some can find funny or just sound's weird, the Weapons, buildings falling down, etc... sound very well done and realistic and crowd roars can be heard so it add's some experience, overall the sound is a good aspect.
Value - Well for those who like Hack and Slash games then this game is for you, for those who don't rent it first and if you like it then have fun, the game lasts about 30 minutes of nothing but fun but after awhile or so you start to get bored doing the same thing over and over again. So this is the type of game that you can like or not.
Tilt - Well this game is mindlessly fun at times so it is enjoyable but as said above after awhile it get's boring, I'm a fan of the series though not a hardcore fan but this is game is fun every now and then.