The player may choose any one of these storylines at the outset of the game. Each scenario features three characters between which the player can switch at any time, offering a chance to stack Musou attacks and allow other team members to recuperate. The trio may also be amended by any of the 70-plus characters unlocked along the way, which adds welcome variety to already completed missions.

Battles play out much like previous installments in the Warriors franchise, with waves of assaulting troops, powerful generals and guard battalions strewn throughout the playing field. It’s up to the player to wade his team through the slaughter, joining embattled armies, laying siege to castles and even clearing a path of salvation for civilian survivors. In most cases, the mission objective calls for the defeat of a high ranking enemy general, but other tasks such as aiding a potential ally or saving a hostage or two keeps things entertaining.

The droves of soldiers, archers and gunners comprise most of the work in Warriors Orochi, and will do anything to keep you from victory. Thankfully, battle yields a glut of upgradable weaponry which can be combined using the game’s weapon fusion system. Through the system, two or more weapons may be unified, offering upgrade slots which can increase attack power, extend range, absorb Musou or add magical flare such as fire damage. Swords, lances, hammers, staves — you name it, and it can be unified to exact massive destruction on the battlefield.

Featuring large scale combat, around 60 missions and a giant roster of characters spanning two game series, Warriors Orochi seems to be the definitive collection of what has become quite a dynasty itself. Still, I’m inclined to wonder if this is a case of quantity over quality. There’s an awful lot of content here, but is that an awful lot, or just a lot of awful? Let’s dig in, shall we?