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Global Special Ed. | |
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Global Standard | €35.39 |
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Global Standard | €61.46 |
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Global Standard | €69.99 |
In Dynasty Warriors 9, players will explore China as it existed when feudal warlords vied for dominance over the land -- the waning days of the Han dynasty and emergence of the Three Kingdoms era. Setting out to complete various objectives, players will utilise an unprecedented world map to navigate and traverse a variety of different landscapes ranging from vast plains to snow-covered peaks presented with dynamic day/night and weather cycles. Exploring these impressive environments is made more engaging through the ability to adapt to surroundings to gain an upper hand in battle, with players able to use equipment to circumvent obstacles or blend in to avoid conflict.
This is a defining moment in the series' history, and I really hope they don't decide to drop this entire idea altogether. Instead, if Omega Force polishes the game even further, this niche series may finally open itself to the mainstream market.
Dynasty Warriors offers a plethora of playable characters, large-scale battles, and a feeling of godhood as you smash through scores of enemies with a single thing. What more could you ask for from a Warriors game?
Although Dynasty Warriors 9's hack-and-slash fighting is fun for a while, and it contains a deep roster of characters, a sprawling story and an even larger landmass to explore, it's hard not to conclude that the franchise is in need of a more radical re-imagining than this installment provides. While there is challenge to be had in the boss fights and the carnage of the large-scale battles, Dynasty Warriors 9 feels awfully familiar.
Featuring reworked combat and open-world story mechanics, Dynasty Warriors 9 is a definite step in the right direction. But even without the technical issues around its framerate, Dynasty Warriors 9 feels like a fundamentally compromised game that lacks depth.
Unfortunately, the changes in Dynasty Warriors 9 are a bit too superficial and kept too much of what made the series suffer in previous titles. The controls and animations need tightening, and the storytelling needs to evolve to a point where it's more coherent. If you're a fan of the Musou franchise, there's a lot of new stuff to experience and enjoy here. Dynasty Warriors 9 isn't likely to attract a ton of new fans, but it sets the groundwork for the future of the series, and we'll likely see the real fruits of this new direction in the next few entries in the franchise.
Dynasty Warriors 9 is a significant departure from past titles, but a poorly implemented open world leaves much to be desired.
Everything about this game seems completely rushed. To jump onto the open world bandwagon three or four years too late and still deliver such a pile of garbage isn’t just embarrassing, it’s insulting.
January 31, 2018
Dynasty Warriors 9 unveils its opening. Watch video
December 15, 2017
Koei Tecmo publishes Dynasty Warriors 9 gameplay. Watch video
August 4, 2017
Koei Tecmo confirms the release of Dynasty Warriors 9 in Europe. Watch video
