Press Start: Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires Review

In gaming and reviewing be like fire.

Developers: Omega Force

Publishers: Tecmo Koei

Genre: Hack and Slash, Strategy

Platforms: Playstation 3 (digital download), Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC

Back in December 2014, I put Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires on my Most Anticipated Games of 2015 list. Just recently, I downloaded a digital copy, and played enough of it to get a good idea of what the game is like. I figured since I put it on that list, it warranted a game review. This review will work much like my Gamer’s Frontier, with categories on concept, graphics, sound, and gameplay. Let’s get started!

Story and Concept

Your war room. Where you plot world domination.

The Dynasty Warriors franchise is loosely based on the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (which is loosely based on Chinese history). The games are retellings of the novels, which detail the Three Kingdoms period of China. The player takes control of one of many characters as you singlehandedly mow down entire armies alongside your comrades. DW8 Empires takes the characters of DW8 and replaces the usual story mode with Empire Mode, where the goal is world domination. Or rather, Chinese domination.

The character creation is amazing. I enjoyed creating my own army from scratch.

The absence of an overall story mode is actually a good thing, as it gives a whole lot more freedom to the player. You can play a normally benevolent character as a malicious jackass, or vice versa. You can be a tyrannical despot or a virtuous monarch. Its much like a create your own adventure game, where you can shape your own path alongside a cast of colorful characters. My only complaint is that the pre-set scenarios feel a bit restricted, but other than that, the concept is solid.

Graphics and Design

This scene doesn't look very good. Its awesome, but looks doesn't look good.

In an era with gorgeous games like The Order 1886, DW 8 Empires is pretty ugly by comparison. Its character models are fine, but its levels and backgrounds are very basic and unimpressive. This is understandable, as Musou games usually sacrifice graphical brilliance to maximize the number of troops on screen, and if having simple backgrounds is the price to pay, then I’m fine. However, one thing I can’t look past is how the frame rate drops consistently when the screen gets crowded. Its one thing to have a simple looking game, but its another when your console can’t run that simple looking game. I’ve only played the PS3 version, so I don’t know if its an issue across all platforms, but its still inexcusable regardless.

Sound and Music

A large part of the music of DW 8 Empires is lifted straight from Dynasty Warriors 8 and Dynasty Warriors 8 Xtreme Legends. As per usual for DW games, it consists of contemporary rock with the occasion Chinese instrument thrown in. Despite how anachronistic the soundtrack is, its still a stellar line-up of killer tracks. Each one is a great instrumental, and gets your blood pumping like nothing else. However, I have to mention that this game has no English voice acting, and that every word of dialogue is spoken in Japanese. While I was never a fan of DW’s dubs, having no English dub is a hindrance, especially when the print you read is so tiny.

Gameplay

Zhou Tai proving that numbers don't matter.

DW 8 Empires features the same combat system of DW 8. It involves the player using both normal and charge attacks to decimate enemy armies with a huge variety of weapons and special Musou Attacks. It also features the return of Rage Attacks, where all your combat parameters are boosted, and the rock-paper-system of weapon supremacy. Empires throws in two new gameplay features: stratagems, special powers that can things from healing allies to setting up turrets, and bases, special places on the map that can augment your forces in a variety of ways.

A sample strategy session. These can take up a most of the game, believe it or not.

A good deal of the game takes place outside of battle. Here, you can manage your own kingdom by constructing new buildings, cementing alliances, improving friendship among your ranks, and recruiting new officers to your cause. If you don’t want to play the ruler, you can still play as an officer under a ruler and work your way up or play as an independent officer and go on your own journey. Players can even arrange political marriages to keep the peace.

Riding horses, kicking ass, and taking names. Just another day in the Musou franchise.

Its just as fun to mow down armies in this game, especially with the officers you yourself created. However, there a number of issues. For one, the combat feels restricted from past titles, as its much harder to fill up your Rage and Musou gages, which is what made the combat in Dynasty Warriors 8 so fun. Another is that stratagems, outside the large scale ones, don’t seem to do much to effect the battle. I went entire battles without using a single stratagem and I still crush the opponent. While battles are still mindless fun, it seems rather stripped down from previous installments.

"Who says a woman has to be week?" indeed...

Surprisingly, my favorite part of the game was managing my kingdom. I actually had fun giving my subordinates orders about how they should their own territories and expanding my empire through conquest and alliances. However my biggest complaint about the management is that its pretty shallow. It only seems to scratch the surface of how strategic this game could be. I felt that the strategy could have been a whole lot deeper: like you could redistrict your kingdom or build multiple armies or develop your domestic economy. Honestly, the strategy sessions feel like a stripped down version of Nobunaga’s Ambition, a series I actually like.

Verdict

I’m honestly disappointed by this game. Yes, its fun to destroy entire armies with a simple combo, and yes, managing your kingdom is enjoyable, but the whole experience feels barebones. Its still enjoyable if you’re a Musou fan, but its not one of the better titles of the series.

6.5/10 - Decent

Press Start: Top Ten Anticipated Games in 2015

2015 is right around the corner, and while it will be a while before I start writing “2015” instead of “2014”, I am ready to accept the new year with open arms. 2015 will bring a lot to the table, especially in terms of gaming. Tons of big titles are already slated for 2015, and there a good number of them I’m looking forward to. These are the top ten titles that I’m looking forward to the most:

10. Super Robot Wars Z 3.2

The Super Robot Wars series involves giant robots from all sorts of anime coming together to do what they do best: blow stuff up. Oddly enough, the games are turn based strategy games, not a giant fighting game franchise. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The series is not only strategic fun but also filled with flashy attacks guaranteed to make your jaw drop. In fact, if the games don’t make your jaw drop, the game developers will personally give you your money back (to this day, they have not have to give any refunds).

The latest game in this long running series will be Dai-3-Ji Super Robot Taisen Z Tengoku Hen, or 3rd Super Robot Wars Z: Heavenly Prison Chapter. This game will feature robots from over 40 animes, as well as new attack animations for returning robots. The game will also be the debut of Diebuster, an anime I wanted to be featured in SRW ever since I discovered it. With such a cast and with such blood boiling animations, this game looks like one that will melt one’s brain (this may or may not be covered by your insurance, so check before you play).

The game will be released in Japan on April 2nd.

9. Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires

I am a huge Warriors fan. I love the concept of wiping out armies as a single general. It may not be the most intricate series, but it's mindless fun I’ll never get tired of. In 2014, we got Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, an expansion of Dynasty Warriors 8. 2015 will bring yet another expansion in the form of the oddly strategic Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires.

DW8E still features the “run into a horde of soldiers and kill them all with a single combo” gameplay that the series is known for, but will include several new editions to make the game (slightly) less mindless. Battles this time around can be won with stratagems, in-battle spells that can bolster your forces or cripple your opponent. Stratagems can stack up for extra effect or can be used to lessen the blow of opposing stratagems. The expansion also allows for empire management, allowing players to do things like arrange political marriages.

All in all, this sounds like a creative expansion of an action centric franchise and one I can’t wait to play. The game will be hitting North America on January 27th.

8. Dying Light

Zombies are everywhere nowadays. From TV shows to movies to video games, its hard to escape the zombie craze, which is fine, since I’m all about the undead menace. Zombie games may be a dime a dozen these days, but there’s still one that has me excited to crack some decomposing skulls: Dying Light.

Dying Light drops you in the middle of a quarantined Turkish city overrun with zombies. The game has you do the regular zombie survival routine- gather supplies, set up traps, rescue survivors. Alongside all that, however, comes a whole lot of interesting mechanics. Your primary mode for exploring the city? Parkour, of course! What do you fight the zombies with? With homemade weapons made of stuff lying around! The game even features changing weather and a day and night cycle, both of which affect the zombie’s AI.

Dying Light looks like a interesting and brutal twist on the typical zombie game. It will stagger into stores on January 27th.

7. Splatoon

When I say “Nintendo”, you don’t usually think of shooters. Nintendo really only has one franchise it can call a shooter (Metroid), and even that’s a stretch. However, Nintendo is planning to release a team based shooter of their own that’s very, well, Nintendo.

Splatoon is not like your typical shooter. At all. How so? Well for one thing, you use paint based weapons as opposed to assault rifles or rocket launchers. Your team’s goal is to cover as much of the stage as possible with your color as possible. Players can change from human to squid form and swim through the areas that your team painted over, allowing for quick travel across the battlefield (I’m not making any of this up).

Splatoon looks like Nintendo-style fun mixed with a crazy concept. A firm release date is not known, but it will be in stores by the second quarter of 2015.

6. Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker

Shin Megami Tensei is a long running RPG series which involves you taming demons and shaping a new world with your own actions. Devil Survivor, a spin off of the SMT franchise, involves you taming demons and shaping a new world with your own actions with strategy. Might not sound like much of a difference, but Devil Survivor’s strategic gameplay gives it its own identity over its parent franchise.

An update of Devil Survivor 2, Record Breaker, is coming out for the 3DS. The game features the same solid gameplay of the original, with tons of new content. The game will include 3D cutscenes, new characters, new difficulty levels, new story scenarios, and a full English dub. All are perfect additions to an already exceptional game, I can’t wait to save the world yet again with the help of my demon buddies.

Record Breaker will crash into stores on April 7th.

5. Mighty Number 9

Capcom may have cancelled all things Megaman related, but he isn't quite dead. He has appeared as a playable character in the new Smash Bros game, and his fan community is still alive and well. As a fan of Megaman myself, I was elated when Keiji Inafune, the man behind the Blue Bomber, announced he was developing a spiritual successor to the legendary franchise.

Mighty Number 9 is practically a Megaman game, right down to the very concept. You play as a mechanized hero on a quest to pacify eight evil robots, all the while collecting new weapons and powerups. The gameplay looks frantic and action packed, something the Megaman franchise is known for. While essentially Megaman, Inafune's new brainchild is exactly what we Megaman fans need.

Mighty Number 9 will be released worldwide in April.

4. Ratchet and Clank

I have been a Ratchet and Clank fan for many years. In fact, its one of my favorite franchises, and quite possibly my favorite video game series. The zany weapons, the intense action, the great humor, the memorable characters- its a tremendous piece of art. So imagine my excitement when Insomniac announced that a new Ratchet adventure was coming to the PS4- a reboot of the first game to go alongside the movie.

Not much is known about the game. What has been revealed is that both the gameplay and visuals will be overhauled and the story would be reimagined. The lack of information doesn't bother me; I’m just happy that my favorite galactic duo is coming to a next gen console. I personally can’t wait to blow me up some Blargs.

The game is slated for a first quarter or second quarter release.

3. Xenoblade Chronicles X

Monolith Soft’s Xenoblade Chronicles is regarded as one of the best RPGs last gen had to offer. With a huge world to explore and a creative story to experience, the game found many fans in the west. It did so well that a sequel is in the works, which I personally can’t wait to get my hands on.

Xenoblade Chronicles X tells the story of a group of human refugees as they try to carve out an existence on a hostile alien world. The world itself looks gorgeous, and the worlds look like a treat to explore. However, the biggest draw for me is the fact that you can pilot a giant robot into battle. That alone makes me giddy with excitement. A huge open world RPG with mecha is like my dream game (well, one of them at least).

The game will touch down sometime in 2015.

2. Battleborn

Borderlands has already established itself as one of my favorite shooters. With a great sense of humor, excellent gunplay, tons of loot to collect, and frantic co-op action, it is a true gem among the FPS genre. Gearbox’s new project is a MOBA-like, team based shooter that looks as every bit as stylistic and action packed as the Borderlands series.

Battleborn features multiple heavily armed factions fighting over the last habitable solar system in the universe. Each faction sports a number of colorful and creative characters, all with their own personalities and play styles. As each player tears up the battlefield with their character, they level up and gain perks, offering longer life spans and more destructive power. The level of customization, alongside intense firefights and team based battling, makes Battleborn one of the best looking games coming in 2015.

Battleborn will be released sometime in 2015.

1. Code Name STEAM

Intelligent Systems has earned my respect as a developer. With franchises like Paper Mario, Fire Emblem, and Advance Wars under their belt, it's hard for me to dislike them. Their newest project, Code Name STEAM, is my most anticipated game of 2015, not only because of its creator, but also for the potential is has.

Code Name STEAM looks like a cheesy B-movie, and I love it. With a comic book art style and featuring characters like Tom Sawyer, Tiger Lily, Henry Fleming, and the Cowardly Lion, this game looks ridiculous in the most glorious way possible.

Code Name STEAM looks like it has the gameplay to back its concept and presentation. The gameplay mixes real time strategy, third person shooter, and turn based combat elements into one awesome looking battle system. Each character has their own set of weapons and abilities, making for satisfying and strategic battles against an alien force. With special loadout options and reactionary tactics, STEAM looks like the must have strategy game of 2015.

Code Name STEAM looks like it has every element of a great game in its hand. It will fly into stores March 13th.

Honorable Mentions

Star Fox- a reboot of a franchise that I hold dear. It would have made the list had I known more about it.

Evolve- a great concept that looks fun, but couldn't make the cut due to being multiplayer only.

Tales of Zestiria- a great looking RPG that would have made the cut if I was a bigger Tales fan.

Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition/DmC Definite Edition- remasters that I’m looking forward to, but not enough to be consider more anticipated than games like Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires.

Mortal Kombat X- a exceptional looking fighting game that would have easily made it if I was into fighting games more.