Dynasty Warriors 3

Parents--and anyone else interested in a game that's a little more socially redeeming than some of the current fare--take note: Dynasty Warriors 3 is loosely based on remarkable Chinese legends. The violence is well-done and subtle, and playing this game could actually cause your kid to pick up a book (something other than a strategy guide).

Here's what's different:

• New characters--and more characters--all with unique personality traits.
• Great new cinematics (they're better visually, and provide a more compelling story line).
• RPG-style weapons management and "found items."
• Two-player games, including cooperative musou and free mode, and combative single games.
• Fewer life buns, which means players must be more judicious within big battles (and you can no longer think of officers as food sources).
• Important updates are now spoken aloud instead of flashing by as screen text.
• More balance in the powers given to each character.
• Characters have been recalibrated so that individuals other than the big bruisers--including women characters--have their own advantages. (Zhang He may even be the first gay character in one of these games, based on his killer figure-skating attack.)
• Archers are now even more of a threat, and are reasonably indestructible.
• For many maps, you now have to be a general before even thinking of climbing on a horse.
• One word: elephants

Here's what stayed the same (some of which probably should have changed):

• Sparse maps that cause you to retrace your steps frequently.
• The stupid Limp Bizkit-meets-Yes soundtrack.
• The controls, which is only nice for those of us who built up calluses on the last version.

Parents--and anyone else interested in a game that's a little more socially redeeming than some of the current fare--take note: Dynasty Warriors 3 is loosely based on remarkable Chinese legends. The violence is well-done and subtle, and playing this game could actually cause your kid to pick up a book (something other than a strategy guide).

Here's what's different:

• New characters--and more characters--all with unique personality traits.
• Great new cinematics (they're better visually, and provide a more compelling story line).
• RPG-style weapons management and "found items."
• Two-player games, including cooperative musou and free mode, and combative single games.
• Fewer life buns, which means players must be more judicious within big battles (and you can no longer think of officers as food sources).
• Important updates are now spoken aloud instead of flashing by as screen text.
• More balance in the powers given to each character.
• Characters have been recalibrated so that individuals other than the big bruisers--including women characters--have their own advantages. (Zhang He may even be the first gay character in one of these games, based on his killer figure-skating attack.)
• Archers are now even more of a threat, and are reasonably indestructible.
• For many maps, you now have to be a general before even thinking of climbing on a horse.
• One word: elephants

Here's what stayed the same (some of which probably should have changed):

• Sparse maps that cause you to retrace your steps frequently.
• The stupid Limp Bizkit-meets-Yes soundtrack.
• The controls, which is only nice for those of us who built up calluses on the last version.