• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Dynasty Warriors - Tell Me About It

K

Killkernal

Member
I'm fairly new to the PS2 scene so I've been checking out a few preview discs I got with a free OPM subscription. On one disc there is a non-playable demo of Dynasty Warriors 5 where the characters can be seen ripping through crowds of soldiers with great gusto. Needless to say, this looks like a hell of a lot of fun and I'd love to know how the game actually plays.

Granted, I'm absolutely in the dark regarding the games and have no idea which title to start with. It looks like there are quite a few sequels and I haven't read any reviews yet. I know some of you are DW experts and I'd love to hear your recommendations as an introduction to the series.
 
DW5 is good but I kinda like the characters/setting of Samurai Warriors better (DW takes place in China while SW takes place in Japan). Its made by the same company and it is very similar to DW. Both are good games. IMO, out of all the DW and SW games DW5 and SW are the two you should play. SW can be found for $20 now at some places. DW5 cost $50.
 
I have completed DW4 in co-op mode. (I am about to get DW5) DW4 Was repetetive, but fun. I've enjoyed fighting hundreds of enemies in every mission with a buddy. It had moments where it was absolutely hilarious, like, running around with no hp and 50+ guys chasing you:) I definetly recommend you trying this co-op, if you pick it up.
 
karlikk said:
I have completed DW4 in co-op mode. (I am about to get DW5) DW4 Was repetetive, but fun. I've enjoyed fighting hundreds of enemies in every mission with a buddy. It had moments where it was absolutely hilarious, like, running around with no hp and 50+ guys chasing you:) I definetly recommend you trying this co-op, if you pick it up.
Click to expand...

Hmm, co-op may not be an option in the immediate future. Will that make a difference in my enjoyment of the series as a whole? I got the impression that DW was a decent single-player game.
 
Killkernal said:
Hmm, co-op may not be an option in the immediate future. Will that make a difference in my enjoyment of the series as a whole? I got the impression that DW was a decent single-player game.
Click to expand...

It was more fun in co-op than in single player to me... It's like playing contra with 2 players, your buddy can help you and he can steal your food away. Both of you need to know how to play and work together if you want to complete it:)
 
I'm pretty much alone in thinking this here, but I wouldn't touch Samurai Warriors with a 20ft pole.

Anyway, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the DW series. Sometimes I find myself thinking 'why the hell am I still playing this piece of crap'. To look at it objectively it's individual elements aren't that great, the combat is limited and repetitive, the camera is crappy (and 5 games in they still haven't mapped camera panning to the right stick), and the game derives it's difficulty solely from cheaply overpowered bosses and making your allies and bodyguards as dumb as shit.

However much like GTA, while the individual parts aren't up to snuff, when taken as a whole the game somehow manages to overcome these shortcomings to be quite enjoyable.

Your mileage may vary, but with 48 characters, and lots of items and weapons to find, if you do really get into the game, there is a lot of replay value for you.
 
Could someone recommend a good one to start with besides DW5? It's not that I don't want to purchase the superior one, I'm just not ready to drop $50 on a game I'm not quite sure about. Is there any reason to purchase, say, 4 over 3? And what's with the 'Xtreme' stuff??
 
I didn't like 4 as much as 3, and from what I've seen most people agree. Really, I'd reccmomend picking up 3 for cheap, then pick up 5 later. I wish I'd never picked up 4 really.

*waits for MAF and Drinky to come in*
 
DW5 is pure bliss, except for the lameness that is Xing Cai. They improved the bodyguards for this one (basically, instead of five or six "walking shields" you are given a henchman that will actually help you out in a fight, heal you, clear out enemy groups, etc. They're very useful) and the maps got a nice visual and structural boost so that they're not all big brown fields this time. The base system (where you can clear out and capture supply bases to heal or improve morale) is a nice addition too
 
Killkernal said:
Could someone recommend a good one to start with besides DW5? It's not that I don't want to purchase the superior one, I'm just not ready to drop $50 on a game I'm not quite sure about. Is there any reason to purchase, say, 4 over 3? And what's with the 'Xtreme' stuff??
Click to expand...
DW4 Empires is a good place to start, I think. It's not set up as a linear stage-by-stage, story-based thing like the mainline series; rather, it puts you on a map of China with one or two territories of your own, and your goal is conquest of the country. You choose a character to start with and can hire other characters to serve as generals or lieutenants for you. The game flows in turns, and each turn you can choose a neighboring territory to attack, or you can sit out the turn, or defend a territory of yours if it's being attacked. It's pretty easy to get into, as the 'strategy' is more like a board game than what you might find in a hardcore strategy title. Anyway, the game is pretty inexpensive these days, and it's a good way to try out a lot of the game's characters, to get familiar with them and the game's atmosphere, and decide if you like the mechanics. It also single-handedly dispels the usual complaint that the series' enemy troops are completely braindead and pointless to kill. ;)
 
I RECOMMEND!

Pick up 4 and 4 Empires, then pick up 5! THAT IS ALL!

Some people REALLY like 3 for some reason but meh. I liked the duels in crap in 4. Getting 4 and 5 rox cause in both you get ultra death goddess Yue Ying, and 4 and 5 are different enough to own together.

4 Empires is just a lot of fun on the side that is again, different.
 
Dynasty Warriors is an excellent single player game with tons of stuff to unlock and upgrade, so don't worry about that. I'd say that unless you can get DW3 for super ultra dirt cheap, DW4 would be a good starting point. Don't bother with the Xtreme Legends expansions until you've decided that you really like the series. If you do, then definitely check out DW4: Empires, since it's a good meld of the basic game with some Risk style strategy.

I just finished maxing everything in DW5 this weekend, and I do not get the Xing Cai hate. She's a god damn people eating monster. Aside from Zuo Ci, she's the most devastating of the new characters by far.
 
Thanks a ton for the information, guys. It looks like I'll aim to pick up Dynasty Warriors 4 first and see where it takes me from there.

Out of curiosity, about how many characters are there to choose from?
 
Get the GBA game it's pockets of hack on slash on the go. Skip the PSP one it is largely shit. Start with 5 and go from there. PS2 usually gets the Xpansion discs while xbox gets the regular games. Zhou Yun is cool. I think he ate his eye.
 
DW5 is pretty awesome, it can get repetitive but there's no substitute for the badassery you feel slaying 1000s of people mercilessly.

(Zhang He 4 prez)
 
Oh, one more thing. You MUST use GameFAQs. Dynasty Warriors gives you absolutely no hints, clues, instructions, or anything at all regarding the conditions for unlocking ANYTHING. If you're a die hard fan of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novels, you could possibly put together certain fourth weapon requirements with some good guesses and a little luck, but for the most part obtaining fourth weapons and special items requires a faq. Don't worry, a lot of them are challenging enough to obtain even when you know exactly what needs to be done. :P
 
Sea Manky said:
Oh, one more thing. You MUST use GameFAQs. Dynasty Warriors gives you absolutely no hints, clues, instructions, or anything at all regarding the conditions for unlocking ANYTHING. If you're a die hard fan of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novels, you could possibly put together certain fourth weapon requirements with some good guesses and a little luck, but for the most part obtaining fourth weapons and special items requires a faq. Don't worry, a lot of them are challenging enough to obtain even when you know exactly what needs to be done. :P
Click to expand...

Thanks for saving me many hours of frustration. I'll keep this in mind. :)
 
Sea Manky said:
Oh, one more thing. You MUST use GameFAQs. Dynasty Warriors gives you absolutely no hints, clues, instructions, or anything at all regarding the conditions for unlocking ANYTHING. If you're a die hard fan of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novels, you could possibly put together certain fourth weapon requirements with some good guesses and a little luck, but for the most part obtaining fourth weapons and special items requires a faq. Don't worry, a lot of them are challenging enough to obtain even when you know exactly what needs to be done. :P
Click to expand...

Ain't that the truth. Keep in mind though, that you will still find a decent assortment of powerups, accessories, and whatnot ruthlessly slaying captains, crates, and barrels in the vicinity of your blade's reach. Only the most elite equipment is tucked so far hidden in the code to require a trip to gamefaqs.

I'd most certainly recommend attempting to unlock at least a couple epic weapons for your favorite characters though. The challenges help break up the monotony, and the rewards are swass. (Just remember quick-save is there for you)
 
Its probably the most underrated series ever. Its pretty much a beat em up of old but have it in a 3D environment, at least a thousand enemies, and takes place in Ancient China (or Japan for SW). Many people don't like it because its a "button masher" but I don't see why Koei needs to change the game for a few haters who want RPG storylines and cinematics for every step along the way.

Dynasty Warriors 2 - Avoid it. I see it for $4.99 all over the place.

Dynasty Warriors 3 - Its a much better game than the second but here its 2005 (it was a 2001-2002 release) and its aged poorly, compared with the sequels. Xtreme Legends is available too. I got my feet wet with this game with the Xbox version.

Dynasty Warriors 4 - Fuck the haters, I thought this game was much better than the third. Tougher than the third one too. XL is pretty much useless but Empires makes up for it. I'd get DW4 + Empires. Both can be had for cheap, since DW4 is a Greatest Hits if I'm not mistaken.

Samurai Warriors - Added some depth to the formula. I like this game quite a bit as the levels are more dark, the music is much better, and the characters I felt had more variety. XL has four new characters, which were all pretty solid.

Dynasty Warriors PSP - Its DW4 stripped down to the bare essentials: fighting. Still has a bunch of characters but only a few levels. The level setups are pretty different and could be improved upon in the future. Weakest one in the series? I haven't played the GBA version but this is tied with DW2 as the worst ones in the series.

Dynasty Warriors 5 - Haven't played. Waiting for the upgraded Xbox 360 port.
 
The Experiment said:
Its probably the most underrated series ever. Its pretty much a beat em up of old but have it in a 3D environment, at least a thousand enemies, and takes place in Ancient China (or Japan for SW). Many people don't like it because its a "button masher" but I don't see why Koei needs to change the game for a few haters who want RPG storylines and cinematics for every step along the way.
Click to expand...
YES. The DW series is the furthest evolution of the arcade beat-em-up up to this point (unless you count something like Spikeout, with stronger emphasis on command inputs, as being more advanced). It won't be recognized as such, though, because it's console-exclusive and uses console gameplay conventions and because it's in 3D. It makes beat 'em ups into something interesting to play for hours at a time. Haters and parrots be damned.
 
You guys are really making me want to pick up a DW game as soon as I get off work tonight. This sounds like exactly what I was looking for.
 
Get DW5. It's the best looking, has the best animation and draw distance, and has a unique 3-5 mission vignette for each character.

There is *nothing* in videogaming that gives me the same rush as ripping through the Battle of Hu Lao gate as that old one-eyed bastard Xiahou Dun, his six-foot tulwar kicking up dust and tossing lesser troops around like ragdolls. It ain't a deep game, but it's a totally absorbing and visceral one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered delayed indefinitely
2
45
Rentahamster replied
Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered Graphics Comparison
17
190
IAmRei replied
[Taipei Game Show 2026] Dynasty Warriors 3 Remastered Gameplay
0
116
Kacho replied
Dynasty Warriors Origins Nintendo Switch 2 vs PS5 Graphics Comparison
Analysis Trailer Platform  2 3 4
185
1K
Skifi28 replied
Dynasty Warriors 3: Compete Edition Remastered coming March 19th 2026.
8
320
adamsapple replied
Top Bottom