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[dakkumauji]

Basic Info:

• Release Date: NA: March 25, 2014 / EU: April 05, 2014
• Platforms: Xtreme Legends: PS3 / Complete Edition: PS4/Vita
• Official Trailer

New Features:

• 5 New Playable Characters: Yu Jin, Zhu Ran, Fa Zheng, Chen Gong, Lu Lingqi
• Everyone gets one new EX Attack
• The return of the bodyguard system with the ability to have and direct three bodyguards
• New "Ultimate" Difficulty and 6 starred weapons
• Cross-Save and Cross-Play Feature between PS3, PS4 and PSV
• New Lu Bu focused Story Mode and additional "What-If" scenarios
• Free Mode now consists of additional challenges to meet for each stage
• Ambition Mode has been expanded to include a capture all of China feature with your bodyguards
• The return of Challenge Mode
• New Weapon Fusion System to make it more similar to Warrior Orochi 3's
• New PS4 features of sharing your best fights and having others give you bonuses while playing

FAQ:

• What's the difference between all the versions?
  

  

• How does all this importing data and cross-save feature work?
  The official website has a page answering all that.

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As with previous titles in the series, Dynasty Warriors 8 follows the stories of the kingdoms of Wei, Wu, Shu and Jin through the actions of historical military and political figures of the time as they fight to gain control over the Three Kingdoms of China. However, this sequel takes the much loved IP one step further, merging numerous replay elements like multi-endings and extra modes with synergies between action and game systems, making a game that people won't want to put down. Apart from the Story Mode, which comes with new episodes and characters and takes a deeper look at the drama that unfolds in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story, Dynasty Warriors 8 includes all new ‘What if?' scenarios. Breaking away from historical fact, this mode takes a look at what could have happened if famous characters had lived to fight another day. Stories branch out to different outcomes providing variety in the course and ending of the game, and giving the players the power to view an alternate version of history depending on their choices. Dynasty Warriors 8 also boasts a vast number of new and returning playable characters, as the highly anticipated officers Yue Jin and Li Dian from the Wei Kingdom, who make their first appearance in the series, alongside more than 70 playable characters that fight to prevail in the battlefield. Giving stronger emphasis in the stage of these epic battles and inspired by the landscape of ancient China to deliver a wide range of visual treats, Dynasty Warriors 8 will feature more than 40 completely new stages: verdant plains, desolate wastelands, sharp ravines, huge castles, and other breath-taking sites.

Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Platforms: PS3 (All regions) / PSN (All regions) / X360 (NA, EU, AU only)
Release Date:
JP: 02/28/2013
NA: 07/16/2013
EU: 07/19/2013
AU: 07/25/2013
MSRP: $59.99/ £39.99
Audio: Dual Audio (JPN voices on a free DLC)
Website: JP NA EU
Pre-Order Bonuses:
UK Only: GAME - A Random Phone Pouch
EU: Almost every other store: DW1 Outifts, Sun Shangxiang's ROTK12 outfit and Zhao Yun's ROTK12 outfit
NA: Gamestop - Sun Shangxiang's ROTK12 outfit, Zhao Yun's ROTK12 outfit, Guan Yu's DW1 outfit and Lu Xun's DW1 outfit

​

Story Mode

• Retains the Kingdom mode from DW7
• Reintroduces "Others" Kingdom mode
• More characters to choose per stage
• Hypothetical stages - allows you to alter events, save characters and go to different routes

Free Mode

• Returns from DW6, allowing you to use whatever character you want in whichever stage
• Reintroduces the ability to play as the opposing sides in stages

Ambition Mode

• Updated version of Legends mode from DW7XL
• Create your own tower, raise its status through battles, gain new weapons, characters and more!

Gameplay Additions

• New weapon affinity system. Every weapon has its own affinity and you'll be at an advantage or disadvantage depending on the enemy's weapon affinity.
  
  
• Storm Rush: When at advantage, delpete the blue bar above the enemy and you'll be able to rush in and perform a multi-hit attack.
• Switch Counter: When at a disadvantage, press the switch attack when the enemy is using a charged attack and you'll be able to evade, counter, switch your weapon and gain a temporary power up.
• Rage Awakening: Fill up the Awakening Gague and you can go into Rage mode, where your stats will raise and you can use the Awakening Musou which is similar to the old style of Musous pre-DW7.
• Every character now has three musou attacks, two ground and one air.
• Leveling returns to this game. Gain new moves and stats from defeating enemies, picking up exp scrolls or buying levels.
• The introduction of the skills system from the Warriors Orochi games. Do certain things during battle to learn new and level up new skills.
• The introduction of weapon skills and the weapon crafting system from the Warriors Orochi games.
• The delconement of every character. Everyone has their own EX weapons now, many of them having returning weapons from old games while others have new weapons. Existing weapons from DW7 also got changed.

Yue Jin: A quick and strong leader with unrivaled strength. He is a general that serves under Cao Cao and a former court official. He has been a veteran of Cao Cao's army since the early days and has fought in many battles.He has a slight complex due to his short height, but he makes up for it with his superior ability in battle. Wields the dual hookblades in battle.
Li Dian: Witty and known for his quirkiness. He is a hardened veteran of Cao Cao's army. However, sometimes he can be too easygoing which leads to confusion. He is talented in predicting the locations of enemy ambushes and traps. Wields the wheeled halberd in battle.

Han Dang: A military strategist that has served the Sun family for three generations in the shadows.Originally a footman from Liaoxi Province, he was discovered by Sun Jian. He has then, served for many years as a naval leader for Wu. Wields the short pike in battle.
Lu Su: A regal and likable man who has a vision for a new China.He is the second Chief Commander of Wu. Successor to Zhou Yu and mentor of Lu Meng. In a time when the restoration of the Han Dynasty was sought after more than any other solution, he had a plan to divide China into two territories. Wields the rake in battle.

Guan Xing: The successor to a great war hero who soars high above all who try to compare. The son of Guan Yu, who has been praised highly from a young age. He keeps to himself but is highly capable at anything he tries. While young, he is highly experienced in battle. Wields the wingblades in battle.
Zhang Bao: A young man who shines as bright as the sun and who holds great courage and bravely within. The son of Zhang Fei, he is just as skilled as his father in battle. He is very responsible and enjoy taking care of others. Wields the flail sword in battle.
Guan Yinping: A beautiful women whose seemingly delicate frame hides enormous strength. The daughter of Guan Yu, who is very talented in battle. She mainly uses the skills she initially as self-defense during battle. She possesses great strength, that she doesn't realize. Wields the dual-headed mace in battle.

Jia Chong: His cruel daggers glimmers in the shadows of conspiracy. A notable officer and a powerful politician who was discovered by Sima Yi and fights alongside Sima Shi and Sima Zhao. Wields the throwing axes in battle.
Wen Yang: A man of the new generation who is shaken by destiny. His unprecedented courage and valor in battle and accomplishments on the battlefield are reminiscent of the great hero Zhao Yun. Wields the javelin in battle.
Zhang Chunhua: The embodiment of the love of a loving wife and a caring mother. Wife to Sima Yi and mother to Sima Shi and Sima Zhao. Well known for her intelligent and is often praised as a loving wife and a caring mother. Her face is never without a smile, but she is feared by her family. Wields the wired gloves in battle.

Jim Sterling's Video Review
Destructoid's Review: 9/10
IGN's review: 8.7/10
SlasherJPC - Dynasty Warriors 8 Review

Story Mode Guide (courtesy of Koei Wiki)
Partial 5th Weapon Guide (courtesy of Koei Warriors)
Another 5th Weapon Guide (courtesy of Koei Wiki)
Youtube channel that has all the 5th Weapon Unlocking Videos
Hypothetical Mission Guide (courtesy of Koei Warriors)
Basic Weapon Tempering Guide
Koei NA's DW8 Survey (fill it out)!
Koei's EU DW8 Survey (fill it out)!
NA DLC Listing

 

[Kokonoe]

I await the music.

 

[Ultimadrago]

Wu represent.

 

[FrostuTheNinja]

Wen Yang looks cool. Great OT dakkumauji!

 

[QisTopTier]

Will buy for more Xing Cai

 

[Noi]

yesssss. I'm out of the country right now so I can't play it at launch, but I'm highly looking forward to picking it up when I get back.

I need an updated version of the Yuanji PS3 theme, Tecmo!

Will buy for more Xing Cai

I knew I liked you for a reason, Q.

 

[bigkrev]

Great OT Dakku. This will probably be my first DW since DW3 on PS2- i've had the itch recently to play some of this, and figure waiting for the newest one can't be a bad thing.

 

[hitmon]

Is there co-op or create a warrior?

 

[Kincaido]

Will buy for more Xing Cai

You are good people. I've always liked you.

 

[Samurai_Heart]

Subscribed will read when I'm more awake =P

 

[Yawnier]

I await the music.

The soundtrack for this game is decent (there are quite a few remixes of the older popular DW tracks like Arena), from what I listened to it,

Also, nice OT.

 

[Evilisk]

Great OT Dakku. This will probably be my first DW since DW3 on PS2- i've had the itch recently to play some of this, and figure waiting for the newest one can't be a bad thing.

This is probably the same-ish for me except I played a bit of 4 and 5 and Empires (though never owned the full game).

Nice to see Han Dang is playable now, I remember that guy being in almost all of the Wu battles lol (also OP, you mispelled Han Dang as Dong).

 

[Yawnier]

Great OT Dakku. This will probably be my first DW since DW3 on PS2- i've had the itch recently to play some of this, and figure waiting for the newest one can't be a bad thing.

When all is said and done, this is probably the best full package Musou game of the entire generation considering it's modes, features and additions, well except for Warriors Orochi 3 maybe.

So, I would say this is a good game to jump into the DW series with again.

 

[Noi]

...Did we really need Zhao Yun as the lead in yet another cover though?

 

[Kincaido]

7XL was refreshing with dat

Spoiler

censored

Wang Yi cover <3

 

[robotzombie]

this is gonna be one tough week wait...

 

[Seraphis Cain]

Eagerly awaiting the "lol DW sucks" crowd.

Hype, though it'll be a couple months before I get this. Dragon's Crown and Miku are taking precedence for the moment

 

[Yawnier]

...Did we really need Zhao Yun as the lead in yet another cover though?

Cmon Koei, try putting likable and charismatic Sima Zhao on the cover for once. Literally anybody but Zhao Yun for once.

 

[Shadow780]

...Did we really need Zhao Yun as the lead in yet another cover though?

Fan girls will revolt.

 

[Wolves Evolve]

Dear Koei,

Sha Moke needs to be a character.

Wake the fuck up.

Thanks,

-Wolves Evolve

His face was spotted with red as if splashed with blood that is split from the mouth, and his eyes were blue and big. He rushed among Gan Ning's troops, mighty and fierce, wielding two spiked iron maces with long poles, with two bows slung at his belt.

Red face! Two iron maces on long poles! Bow attacks!

 

[BlackIronCount]

Audio: Dual Audio (JPN voices on a free DLC)

I tough it would be on disc.
why can't they just include it on disc for the PS3? is this because of "both version must be the same"

 

[Noi]

Cmon Koei, try putting likable and charismatic Sima Zhao on the cover for once. Literally anybody but Zhao Yun for once.

Don't forget 5 (his mug is front and center, it totally counts) and NEXT.

Fan girls will revolt.

But there's plenty of other beef to go around! 'least he could do is share the load.

 

[dakkumauji]

Wu represent.

Best kingdom.

Is there co-op or create a warrior?

Yes, there's co-op in story and free mode. Local and online. No create a warrior, that's been forever tossed into the Empire spinoffs.

This is probably the same-ish for me except I played a bit of 4 and 5 and Empires (though never owned the full game).

Nice to see Han Dang is playable now, I remember that guy being in almost all of the Wu battles lol (also OP, you mispelled Han Dang as Dong).

You saw nothing.

Cmon Koei, try putting likable and charismatic Sima Zhao on the cover for once. Literally anybody but Zhao Yun for once.

You forgot this one:

It's too bad NA didn't get DW7E on retail, otherwise we could have gotten Xu Shu to grace the cover.

 

[Yawnier]

Dear Koei,

Sha Moke needs to be a character.

Wake the fuck up.

Thanks,

-Wolves Evolve

Dude didn't do anything historically though. In the novel, he is a random barbarian king who kills Gan Ning at Yiling/Xiaoting by shooting an arrow at his head, and then he consequently is killed by Zhou Tai.

But that's it for his career pretty much, Shu doesn't have that many good potential adds left anyways though, so there is that.

 

[dakkumauji]

I tough it would be on disc.
why can't they just include it on disc for the PS3? is this because of "both version must be the same"

From what I hear, it could be because Koei decided to change all the cutscenes and the lip movements to match the English voices. Or something, dunno, they did the same thing for DW7, yet not DW7XL.

 

[Kincaido]

So everything is gonna look fucked up with JP audio?

 

[BadAss2961]

Nice OT.

Since when did DW hop aboard the store exclusive pre-order bonus bandwagon? Is nothing sacred?

 

[ohlawd]

Don't think I'll get this game in any time soon but damn, really wanted my Wang Yuanji and Xingcai fix.
Sima Yi's waifu and Guan Yu's daughter looks really good.

 

[Yawnier]

You forgot this one:

Yeah, this only illustrates even more the point of how much of a poster boy that Zhao Yun has become for the franchise now.

 

[dakkumauji]

So everything is gonna look fucked up with JP audio?

Maybe. Maybe changing the audio will actually fix it, lol.

Nice OT.

Since when did DW hop aboard the store exclusive pre-order bonus bandwagon? Is nothing sacred?

They been doing it in the EU for some time. It's nothing special since they usually do end up selling the costumes as DLC later on maybe.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

I think I might jump in on this as my first DW game. I'm in the mood for some Musou action. The Japanese release was received favorably, I believe?

 

[dragonflys545]

Amazing OT. I can't wait to pick this game up

 

[Sylent01]

Hmm.. just wore out Empires, do I need to double-dip?

 

[dakkumauji]

I think I might jump in on this as my first DW game. I'm in the mood for some Musou action. The Japanese release was received favorably, I believe?

Reasonably well. The main complaints was a bunch of bugs that was patched since the months that it's been out.

The western release will at least already be prepatched up to version 1.03 I believe.

 

[Red Blaster]

does this mostly run at 60 fps

 

[Shadow780]

Is the JP audio DLC day one download?

 

[hitmon]

Yes, there's co-op in story and free mode. Local and online. No create a warrior, that's been forever tossed into the Empire spinoffs.

I think the Vita version had create a warrior. Anyways, thanks for confirming co-op! Look forward to the release.

 

[Kaizer]

Hype for this, haven't had my fill of musou action in quite a while. Can't wait to spend endless hours playing this for the rest of the year.

 

[Data West]

#teamdynastywarriors
eat it smt 4

 

[FYC]

Wow, nice OT. Honestly had no idea this was coming, haven't played a musou since DW3. Might jump back in for this.

 

[Aytrial]

I might wait this one out to see if we get a Vita port similar to Next. Really enjoyed having DW on a handheld.

 

[jooey]

I might wait this one out to see if we get a Vita port similar to Next. Really enjoyed having DW on a handheld.

I'd just bite now. Next isn't technically 7, plus look how long it took for them to finally port Orochi 3.

 

[Goldrush]

Lu Su finally made it in. Considering how often he appears in the novel and how he's pretty much DW goto generic general for Wu, I can't believe it took this long.

 

[Reknoc]

I might wait this one out to see if we get a Vita port similar to Next. Really enjoyed having DW on a handheld.

I'm not sure I'd want anything similar to Next. Would be nice if it got a Vita release, but for now I'm sure Warriors Orochi 3 will do.

 

[Gxgear]

Going back into the fray after a 10-year hiatus!

 

[razgriz417]

Had this preordered for months, cant wait

 

[Ryuukan]

Considering WO3 is getting a vita port, I think I might wait a bit and see if this gets one too. DW Next was great.

 

[Jimnymebob]

I'm honestly tempted to get this, and the only one I've played before was 5XL.
All I really remember other than Lu Bu and Cao Cao was this this big guy with a beard who had these bear claw type things as weapons and was really awesome.

 

[Usobuko]

The last DW games I'd played is 4 from PS2 era. Can I ask if 8 is the best possible entry for this series yet and what are the chances of re-released ( Xtreme, Empire etc )? I might give it a shot just to see what it is like again.

 

[Emperor Bohe]

The last DW games I'd played is 4 from PS2 era. Can I ask if 8 is the best possible entry for this series yet and what are the chances of re-released ( Xtreme, Empire etc )? I might give it a shot just to see what it is like again.

I'm in the same boat, but I think I'll grab this one.