Hey guys! Let's dive into the world of Dynasty Warriors 9, a game that tried to shake things up in the long-running franchise. While it had some cool ideas, it also faced its fair share of criticism. So, let's break down what made this game unique and why it's still a talking point among fans.

What is Dynasty Warriors 9?

Dynasty Warriors 9, released in 2018, marked a significant departure from the series' traditional formula. For those new to the franchise, Dynasty Warriors games are known for their over-the-top action, where you play as powerful warriors mowing down hordes of enemies in ancient China. Dynasty Warriors 9 attempted to bring this action to a vast, open-world environment, a first for the series. This change aimed to provide players with more freedom and a deeper connection to the game's historical setting, but it also introduced new challenges in terms of gameplay and performance.

The game is set during the final years of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Players can choose from a large roster of characters, each with their own unique weapons, abilities, and storylines. The open-world map includes famous landmarks and regions, such as the Great Wall, Luoyang, and Chengdu. The idea was to allow players to explore these locations and engage in battles and side quests at their own pace, creating a more immersive and dynamic experience. The introduction of an open world was a bold move, intended to breathe new life into the franchise, but it also came with its own set of problems. The vastness of the world sometimes felt empty, and the game's performance suffered on some platforms. Despite these issues, Dynasty Warriors 9 remains an interesting experiment in the series, showcasing a willingness to evolve and try new things. Whether it succeeded is a matter of debate, but its impact on the franchise is undeniable.

Open World and Exploration

So, the open world in Dynasty Warriors 9 was a pretty big deal. Instead of the traditional stage-based setup, you could roam freely across a map of ancient China. This meant you could ride your horse from one end of the country to the other, discovering new locations, completing side quests, and getting into all sorts of trouble. Sounds awesome, right? Well, it had its ups and downs.

On the one hand, the sense of scale was impressive. Riding through vast landscapes, stumbling upon historical landmarks, and feeling like you were actually part of this ancient world was a definite plus. The game tried to make the world feel alive with wildlife, resource gathering, and dynamic weather. Plus, you could use grappling hooks to scale walls and mountains, adding a bit of verticality to your adventures. However, the execution wasn't always perfect. The world, while large, often felt empty and lifeless. There wasn't always enough to do between major battles, and the side quests could be repetitive. The game also suffered from performance issues, with frame rates dropping in certain areas. Despite these drawbacks, the open world was a bold attempt to modernize the Dynasty Warriors formula, and it did offer a unique experience that set it apart from previous entries in the series. It's just a shame that it didn't quite live up to its full potential. For many players, the promise of a seamless, explorable world was a major draw, and while the game delivered on the scale, it sometimes fell short on the content and polish needed to make it truly engaging.

Combat System

Let's talk about the combat system in Dynasty Warriors 9. The game introduced a new State Combo System, which was designed to give players more control over their attacks. Instead of just mashing buttons, you could trigger different combos based on the enemy's state. For example, you could knock an enemy into the air and then follow up with an aerial combo, or you could stun them and unleash a powerful finishing move. The idea was to make the combat feel more strategic and less repetitive. However, opinions on this new system were mixed.

Some players appreciated the added depth and control, finding that it made the battles more engaging and rewarding. They enjoyed experimenting with different combos and finding the most effective ways to take down enemies. Others, however, felt that the system was overly complicated and didn't add much to the overall experience. They missed the simplicity of the older games, where you could just jump in and start slashing away without having to worry about enemy states and combo timings. One of the main criticisms was that the State Combo System didn't always feel intuitive. It could be difficult to predict what state an enemy was in, and the timing for triggering certain combos could be tricky. This led to situations where players would accidentally perform the wrong move or miss their opportunity to strike. Despite these criticisms, the combat in Dynasty Warriors 9 still had its moments. The Musou attacks were as flashy and satisfying as ever, and the sheer number of enemies you could take down at once was still impressive. The game also featured a variety of different weapons, each with its own unique moveset, allowing players to experiment and find their favorite style of play. Ultimately, whether you enjoyed the combat system in Dynasty Warriors 9 probably came down to your personal preferences. If you were looking for a more strategic and nuanced experience, you might have appreciated the changes. But if you preferred the simple, button-mashing action of the older games, you might have been disappointed.

Characters and Story

Characters and story are crucial in any Dynasty Warriors game, and Dynasty Warriors 9 is no exception. With a vast roster of characters drawn from the Three Kingdoms period, players have plenty of options to choose from. Each character has their own unique storyline, which unfolds as you progress through the game. This allows you to experience the events of the era from different perspectives, adding depth and variety to the overall narrative.

However, the way the story is presented in Dynasty Warriors 9 is a bit different from previous entries in the series. The open-world structure means that you're not always following a linear path. Instead, you can choose which battles to participate in and which side quests to undertake. This can lead to a more disjointed narrative, as you might jump between different events and storylines. Some players found this freedom to be refreshing, while others felt that it detracted from the overall coherence of the story. One of the strengths of the Dynasty Warriors series is its ability to bring historical figures to life. Dynasty Warriors 9 continues this tradition, with each character having their own distinct personality, motivations, and relationships. Whether you're playing as the heroic Liu Bei, the cunning Cao Cao, or the fierce Lu Bu, you'll get a sense of their role in the events of the Three Kingdoms period. The game also introduces new characters, such as Cheng Pu, a loyal retainer of the Wu kingdom. While these new additions are welcome, some fans felt that they weren't as well-developed as the returning characters. Overall, the characters and story in Dynasty Warriors 9 are a mixed bag. The vast roster and diverse storylines offer plenty of content, but the open-world structure can sometimes make the narrative feel disjointed. Whether you enjoy the story probably depends on your tolerance for non-linear storytelling and your interest in the characters of the Three Kingdoms period.

Reception and Criticism

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how Dynasty Warriors 9 was received. To put it simply, it was a mixed bag. While some fans appreciated the attempt to shake up the formula with an open world and new combat mechanics, many others were disappointed by the execution. The game was praised for its ambition and the sheer scale of its open world, but it was also heavily criticized for its performance issues, repetitive gameplay, and lack of polish. One of the biggest criticisms was the game's performance on consoles. Frame rates were often unstable, especially in busy areas, which could make the action feel sluggish and unresponsive. This was a major issue for many players, as it detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game. Another common complaint was that the open world felt empty and lifeless. While the map was large, there wasn't always much to do between major battles. Side quests were often repetitive and uninspired, and the world lacked the kind of detail and interactivity that would make it feel truly alive.

The combat system also drew criticism. While the State Combo System was intended to add depth and strategy to the battles, many players found it to be clunky and unintuitive. The timing for triggering certain combos could be difficult, and the system didn't always feel responsive. On the positive side, some players did appreciate the attempt to modernize the Dynasty Warriors formula. They enjoyed the freedom of the open world and the added depth of the combat system. However, even these players often acknowledged that the game had significant flaws that needed to be addressed. In the end, Dynasty Warriors 9 is a game that divided fans. Some saw it as a bold step forward for the series, while others viewed it as a misstep. Regardless of your opinion, it's clear that the game had a significant impact on the franchise, and it will be interesting to see how future Dynasty Warriors games build upon its ideas.

Final Thoughts

So, where does that leave us with Dynasty Warriors 9? It's a game with big ideas and a bold vision, but it's also one that falls short in several key areas. The open world, while ambitious, often feels empty and lifeless. The combat system, while intended to add depth, can be clunky and unintuitive. And the game's performance issues are a major drawback. However, it's not all bad. Dynasty Warriors 9 still offers the over-the-top action that the series is known for, and the sheer scale of the battles can be impressive. The vast roster of characters and the diverse storylines provide plenty of content, and the game's historical setting is as engaging as ever.

Ultimately, whether you enjoy Dynasty Warriors 9 probably depends on your expectations and your tolerance for its flaws. If you're looking for a polished and refined open-world experience, you might be disappointed. But if you're willing to overlook its shortcomings and appreciate its ambition, you might find something to enjoy. For fans of the Dynasty Warriors series, Dynasty Warriors 9 is a game that's worth checking out, if only to see how the franchise has evolved. Just be prepared for a bumpy ride.