Dynasty Warriors 8

Dynasty Warriors 8 feels, in several ways, like an answer to criticisms fans have had of the series all generation.

Koei have really nailed the Dynasty Warriors nail on the head with this game. Not only have they fine tuned the gaming mechanics but given the player a variety of interesting additions and gameplay modes to keep players busy for a considerable amount of time. Combat feels more fluid and the introduction of new abilities and weapons takes this franchise to a whole new gaming sphere.

Dynasty Warriors 8 is the most satisfying and complete Warriors game yet, dethroning the excellent Warriors Orochi 3. It’s at once familiar and fresh, instantly recognisable at its core yet subtly transformed by intelligent additions and a series of small but noticeable tweaks.

The gameplay in DW8 is really quite a step up from DW7.

The combat is refined and easy to get into, and the amount of things to do and stuff to unlock will keep players coming back.

Against all odds, KOEI has proven that even the smallest of adjustments are still enough to maintain interest in its hack and slash series. Hardcore fans and completionists will have an absolute field day with plenty of enjoyment to be had by non-regulars and newcomers alike.

Dynasty Warriors 8 is a shockingly great game that offers an incredible amount of value in bringing a dramatized piece of history to the masses in very creative ways.

A stunning amount of content and a plethora of improved mechanics ensure that Dynasty Warriors 8 takes its rightful place as the ruling lord of Koei's flagship series, despite suffering from some minor recurring issues and poor presentation in places. This is the definitive Dynasty Warriors title, even if it continues to roam the battlefield the only way that it knows how.

Dynasty Warriors 8 is more of the same, but better. Changes have been made that make fights more varied, like the affinity-system and rage-mode. There are many weapons to collect and officers to unlock, so there's enough to do. All storylines will keep you busy for more than twenty hours, and then there's the Ambition Mode. For fans of the series this is the best one in years. For critics it's the same dumb game. Typical Dynasty Warriors.

For fans of the series, you all pretty much know what you’re getting into with Dynasty Warriors 8. For newcomers looking for a fun time killing droves and droves of enemies, you have found your game.

Dynasty Warriors 8 extends the features that has always possessed the franchise, and offers one of the most fulfilling experiences of all the Dynasty Warriors. However, there are inherent limitations to the franchise and only is an ideal option for fans.

Dynasty Warriors 8 is a simple, solid title that does the Dynasty Warriors franchise proud. It’s not really reinventing the wheel, nor is it trying to cater to fans outside of its small demographic. It just wants to be the best button-mashy, Chinese-soldier murder simulator it can be, and in that, it succeeds. If you are a fan of the Dynasty Warriors franchise, definitely consider picking Dynasty Warriors 8 up.

Fans of the series will be pleasantly surprised. [Issue#234, p.78]

Quite easily one of the best Dynasty Warriors games for a long time. [Issue#138, p.112]

Tecmo-Koei pampers her fans with a solid chapter in the dynamics and content, which, however, will remain cryptic and completely inexplicable to those who just can not digest the Musou genre.

Dynasty Warriors 8 is hardly a revolution for the series but the overhauled combat, compulsive Ambition Mode and wealth of content will leave long-term fans happy.

Fans of the series will probably keep on appreciating the game as always, because nothing really new is waiting for them in this latest chapter of the Three Kingdoms. Let's hope something will change in the next-gen chapters of the series.

A capable and involving massacre-'em-up shaped from a rusting cookie cutter, but one begging for modernisation via an engine overhaul and some good ideas. [Sept 2013, p.90]

Dynasty Warriors 8 sticks to its guns. That means repetitive, but deep hack & slash gameplay. Fans will enjoy it, newcomers won't be that impressed.

Nothing has truly changed a great deal but new additions to combat gel well with the outrageous, barbaric choreography.

The biggest problem with the game, and the series as a whole, is that it loses its value as quickly as Koei publishes another sequel.

Dynasty Warriors 8 attempts to change the series’ long-standing formula with the addition of the Ambition mode and history-altering storylines. Combat is tedious, however, and it still defines the majority of the experience.

Only for diehard fans interested in the mildly enjoyable, but highly repetitive gameplay. [September 2013, p77]

Is it new? Not really. Does it run, look and control like a drunk forklift truck ? Yes. Will it make you question your sanity due to its repetitive nature? Undoubtedly. But is it fun? Yes.