Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition

1. SidTheSloth322

   May 28, 2014

   10

   This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Firstly, I'd like to begin by saying that I am a huge fan of this game series and so this may be a little too kind on the game but for me it thoroughly deserves a 10.
   
   For me one of the most gripping things about the game is the characters. Each character has a completely different persona and despite there being 82 characters now, there is still a stage which involves every character to allow their personality come through.
   
   I have played all of the main Dynasty Warriors games but this was my first extreme legends game and I have to say, I certainly won't be my last. It's just Fantastic! I believe that there are 40 new stages plus a complete story mode for Lu Bu with both a historical and hypothetical ending. I won't give much away based on the story but it's basically amazing! Throughout Lu Bu's story, you can play as 5 characters; Lu Bu, Diao Chan, Zhang Liao, his strategist and new character Chen Gong and his daughter who is also a new character Lu Lingqi. The story is a great way of getting a better understanding of Lu Bu and why he is so dangerous and it also allows you to get to know the new characters.
   
   For me Chen Gong is now my favourite character! (But I still love Jia Chong)!
   
   The other three characters are good as well. For Shu, Fa Zheng is now a playable character. He describes himself as a deviant trickster and he isn't afraid of putting Liu Bei in harms way to succeed with his strategies. His weapon is a flying carpet so just think of Aladin. Wu now has Zhu Ran as a playable character. He is a young general who is driven by the idea of being able to set a fire. His weapon is a bow and it is quite hard to control at first but when you get the hang of it, it becomes quite effective. Wei now has Yu Jin as a playable character. He is a hardcore warrior who punishes all who disobey the law. His weapon is similar to the javelin but it has a three element rule which allows you to increase the power of his weapon.
   
   It offers an extended ambition mode that I haven't started yet and Challenge Mode in addition to the story mode and free mode. The challenge mode has 5 challenges, from arena duels to staying on high platforms. All of which are enjoyable and if you top the pre-set chart for each challenge you get a trophy per challenge.
   
   The graphics are good on the characters and the things in the centre of the screen however long distance sight can appear blurry. That is my only criticism of the game though.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
2. baxterdaking

   Aug 1, 2014

   10

   Fantastic game. The graphics are immense for a Dynasty Warriors game. Gameplay is surprisingly refreshing and fun to play at all times. GreatFantastic game. The graphics are immense for a Dynasty Warriors game. Gameplay is surprisingly refreshing and fun to play at all times. Great entry in the series that shows just how good Dynasty Warriors games are.… Expand

   • 3 of 5 users found this helpful
4. Associated

   Mar 25, 2014

   10

   It's Dynasty Warriors. I love the series, but if you hate the dynasty warriors formula, you will not like this game. It really is just asIt's Dynasty Warriors. I love the series, but if you hate the dynasty warriors formula, you will not like this game. It really is just as simple as that.… Expand

   • 11 of 16 users found this helpful
5. Lion7

   May 7, 2015

   8

   I've been playing Dynasty Warriors since the beginning. It's the same formula; if you didn't like the game in past iterations, you won't now.I've been playing Dynasty Warriors since the beginning. It's the same formula; if you didn't like the game in past iterations, you won't now. However, if you liked the Musou genre and enjoy ancient Chinese history, this is one of the best games of the series and my favorite installment to date.
   
   STORY: Gone are the days were you could play as characters for decades after their death. Stories follow the empire you're playing as, and give you a selection of a few characters for each map. Cutscenes continue to improve (You won't "Feel the power of my magic!" anymore) but can be a bit cheesy.
   
   The best inclusion, I have to say, is Alternate History/Hypothetical Routes. Throughout the game, you can change history by saving certain generals and preventing devastating events, to unlock a "Best Case Scenario" for your empire. Wei decimating Shu/Wu at the Battle of Chi Bi? Guan Yu winning and surviving the Battle of Fan Castle? It's there, and leads to a relatively plausible and happy ending for your favorite empire.
   
   You get your typical Shu, Wu, and Wei stories, in addition to the more recent (and historically accurate) Jin story. New to this edition of the game is the ability to play as Lu Bu's empire. While his story ends as sad and pathetic as it did historically, the new addition of Hypothetical Routes allows you to correct his bull-headedness, and let's just say the Hypothetical ending was very satisfying for being complete fiction.
   
   VOICES: I have to point this out, because it was a peeve of mine in past games. Koei finally has their English VAs pronouncing things more correctly than ever before. "Tsao Tsao" instead of "Cow Cow" (Cao Cao), "Liew" instead of "Lou" (Liu), "Soon" instead of "Sun" (Sun)
   
   GAMEPLAY: It's Musou. There is this mechanic of Rock-Paper-Scissors with elements on weapons when facing officers, as well as allowing characters to use any weapon they acquire with varying proficiencies. It helps to break up the monotony of murdering mindless masses. As far as the weapons go, the "loot" system is alright, occasionally awarding you with a unique version of a basic weapon, but once you unlock your Ultimate Weapon (and with XLCE, your Ultimate Ultimate Weapon) you'll never go back to them again. Finally, there are a few weapons with completely broken movesets; I found myself able to breeze through tough difficulties by making use of them. Don't do that if you want the game to have some challenge.… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
6. KinjoTakemura

   Mar 27, 2014

   7

   Another Dynasty Warrior game? They could have at least made it in a higher resolution. If I didn't like the Romance Of Three Kingdoms seriesAnother Dynasty Warrior game? They could have at least made it in a higher resolution. If I didn't like the Romance Of Three Kingdoms series and the games based on that story I would have given this game a 5 and go on a rant about how unimaginative and lazy game developers are! If you're new to Dynasty Warriors here's the basic rundown of the game: You have 3 kingdoms to choose from, lots of characters with different fighting styles, you hack and slash your way through hundreds of enemies until you control all three kingdoms. I know what to expect from these games, but you may not. If you're new to the Dynasty Warriors series, my advice is to rent it first if you're able to.… Expand

   • 0 of 7 users found this helpful
7. Fudgeberry

   Feb 12, 2018

   5

   The gameplay is little more than a refined Dynasty Warriors 7. The gameplay improvements are ultimately negligible beyond the addition ofThe gameplay is little more than a refined Dynasty Warriors 7. The gameplay improvements are ultimately negligible beyond the addition of less than a handful of new movesets. Some of these movesets are unbearable and terrible too, such as Zhuge Dan's baton or Zhang Bao's weapon.
   Stages ultimately drag on for far too long, often making you run back and forth across the map.
   The Ambition Mode is a sluggish series of five stages that you have to grind for hours on end. The second stage of this mode is a ill conceived attempt at adding a layer of strategy, but ultimately pigeonholes you into playing each map the exact same as to minimize how many times you'll be forced to replay a stage.
   The presentation of a story is at best bland, at worst tripe. The hypotheticals are uninspired and unrewarding.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. JackKasket

   Sep 27, 2015

   1

   Same old doodah with no improvements from the very first game.
   
   I guess I'm one of those people who hate this game series, as none of theSame old doodah with no improvements from the very first game.
   
   I guess I'm one of those people who hate this game series, as none of the previous instalments have struck a chord either. It's just frustratingly boring.
   
   If you care about ancient Chinese history... Well... Buy a history book, because you'll get the details much faster that way. Also, you won't break your thumb pressing the square button approximately 2.6 million times to beat this game.
   
   What a waste of time.… Expand

   • 2 of 6 users found this helpful

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