This is the eighth Dynasty Warriors game on PS2, although you'd never know it because every outing is almost exactly the same as the one before it. This latest Xtreme Legends expansion pack introduces a couple of new modes and co-operative play but it's really the same old repetitive hack-'n-slash nonsense they've been churning out for years.

The main addition here is the in-depth Dynasty Mode that lets you create a warrior from scratch and join an army with the aim of moving through the ranks until you're commanding your own dynasty. Trouble is, starting out as a lowly grunt means you only have one - yes, one! - attack at your disposal. So for the six battles it takes to earn enough cash to buy new moves and upgrade your warrior, 'gameplay' extends to constantly hammering the Square button and occasionally running away from the enemy. It's tedious beyond belief and only obsessively committed gamers will make it past the final conflict.

With games like Spartan: Total Warrior doing the hack-'n-slash thing with variety and panache, Dynasty Warriors just seems like a stinking relic from an inglorious past. For Ming's sake, please don't buy this - it'll just encourage them to make some more.

Graphics 60%
Blocky characters, sparse environments.

Sound 60%
Decent voice acting and oriental muzak.

Gameplay 30%
Repeatedly hit Square. That's virtually it!

Lifespan 60%
Extra modes don't save it from the chop!

Overall 40%
Same old Dynasty Warriors. New modes can't disguise the almost criminal lack of progress in this hack-'n-slash relic.