Battling for the Empire (Dynasty Warriors 3 (PS2))

Member Name: kasgaroth

Product:	Dynasty Warriors 3 (PS2)
Date:	29/05/02 (908 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fun, addictive

Disadvantages: framerate probs, bit repetitive

Firstly I would just like to say hello to everyone again as this is my first op that I have written for a while. I got myself a new pc now so there should be no problems for me now (I hope).

Well this op is about Dynasty Warriors 3 on the PS2. The first thing that I want to mention is that this game is basically a much improved version of Dynasty Warriors 2. In saying that it is also a 3d hack and slash game but compared to it's prequel this looks lovely. The problem is that with those extra looks and combined with the fact that you could be battling over 50 opponents on screen at once causes a few problems. The framerate suffers slightly which slows the game down to a snails pace at times but fortunately this is generally few and far between. It is mainly for single player but it does have a split screen two player co-operative mode but this also has a snag as the screens top edge is missing so the image looks somewhat lacking and i often found myself dropping my head and trying to look up at the screen as if it was going to let me see what I needed to.

Firstly you start off with only about 9 characters - about 3 from each of the clans but you play the game in musou mode ( normal game mode ) and as you complete it with each character more are unlocked as well as new levels in single mode.
In total there are 40 different characters to unlock but so far I have only 32 after completing it about 70 times and there are around 20 different levels in all.

Another difference is that in this game you can find artifacts that help boost your lifeforce or mosou attacks for example (special attack) which you could well need for some levels so it is well worth hunting them out. Also you get to find various different and more powerfull weapons for your character. Also as you play the game you get a score ranking with each character so the more you play the more you earn. This helps as what these points give are literally for the amount of bodyg
uards you have to help you out of those sticky situations.

There are also a lot more of a variance in the troops that you fight like elephant cavalry and you can even take control of a unmanned elephant just like a horse which helps as with there size and strength they can just walk straight through some obstacles. The game also has a few extras like a encyclopedia of chinese warriors from their past and plenty of movie scenes. These also come in a lot in the games but personally I swith this function off as it makes the games a bit more playable as I prefer to get straight into the action.

Only thing is though that this game does get somewhat repetitive after completing it 50 times or so but this is one of the few games that has ever held my attention enough to warrant me playing it that many times. Normally after completing a game once I start to get bored with it so it must have something in it's favour. It is like taking part in a full blown battle with enemies and allies fighting all around with death at every turn. A true hack and slash game but there are many variances in the characters and their weapons just like in ancient battles. for example Dian Wei is a big brute of a man muscle bound and he uses axes to chop every one to bits but you have characters that use pole weapons, swords , twin swords etc and with each battle you can find weapons that help alter the characters attributes as well.

One thing is that this is definatley one of those games that you will love or hate but if you or your kids like 3d fighting games like DOA then this just takes things that one step further.

here is a bit more information on the characters and how to get them to give you a bit more insight into the game

SHU KINGDOM
Zhao Yun: Default character
Guan Yu: Default character
Zhang Fei: Default character
Ma Chao: 1 Shu character clear Musou Mode once or you have DW2 saved data
Huang Zhong: 2 Shu characters c
lear Musou Mode
Wei Yan: 1 Shu character clear Musou Mode once or you have DW2 saved data
Jiang Wei: Clear Musou Mode with Zhuge Liang
Pang Tong: In Musou Mode, clear The Assault on Cheng Du with Pang Tong alive or in Free Mode, clear The Assault on Cheng Du on Liu Bei side
Zhuge Liang: Clear The Battle at Wu Zhang Plains on Shu side defeating Shima Yi
Liu Bei: 2 Shu characters clear Musou Mode



WEI KINGDOM
Xiahou Dun: Default character
Dian Wei: Default character
Zhang He: Default character
Xu Zhu: 1 Wei character clear Musou Mode once or you have DW2 saved data
Xiahou Yuan: Clear The Battle of Mt. Ding Jun on Shu side defeating Xiahou Yuan
Zhang Liao: Clear The Battle at He Fei on Wu side defeating Zhang Liao
Xu Huang: 2 Wei characters clear Musou Mode
Zhen Ji: 1 Wei character clear Musou Mode once or you have DW2 saved data
Shima Yi: Clear the Battle at Wu Zhang Plains on Wei side defeating Zhuge Liang
Cao Cao: 2 Wei character clear Musou Mode



WU KINGDOM
Zhou Yu: Default character
Sun Shang Xiang: Default character
Huang Gai: Default character
Taishi Ci: In Musou Mode, clear The Assault on the Wu Territory on Sun Ce side triggering Taishi Ci event
Do the following to trigger the event:
1. You are not Taishi Ci
2. Taishi Ci, Yan Bai Hu and Wang Lang are still alive
3. Defeat Liu Yong
Gan Ning: Clear The Battle at He Fei on Wei side defeating Gan Ning
Lu Xun: 1 Wu character clear Musou Mode once or you have DW2 saved data
Lu Meng: Clear The Battle at Fan Castle on Wu side
Da Qiao: 1 Wu character clear Musou Mode once or you have DW2 saved data
Xiao Qiao: Zhou Yu or Da Qiao clear Musou Mode
Sun Jian: 2 Wu character clear Musou Mode
Sun Ce: 2 Wu characters clear Musou Mode
Sun Quan: In Musou Mode, clear The Battle at He Fei on Wu side triggering Sun Quan jump bridge ev
ent
Do the following to trigger the event:
1. Either Xu Sheng or Dong Xi is defeated
2. Sun Quan and you enter near the bridge



OTHER CHARACTERS
Zhang Jiao: Clear The Yellow Turban Rebellion on Imperial Forces side defeating Zhang Bao and Zhang Liao
Diao Chan: Clear The Battle at Hu Lao Gate on Allied Forces side defeating Diao Chan
Lu Bu: Clear The Battle at Hu Lao Gate on Allied Forces defeating 1000 enemies
Dong Zhou: Clear The Battle at Hu Lao Gate on Allied Forces side defeating Diao Chan and Lu Bu
Yuan Shao: Clear The Battle at Guan Du on Cao Cao side defeating Yan Liang and Wen Chou
Meng Huo: In Musou Mode, The Nanman Campaign, be on either Shu or Wu side and clear the stage defeating Meng Huo seven times
Zhu Rong: Clear The Nanman Campaign on either Shu or Wu side
Fu Xi: Clear Musou Mode with Liu Bei, Cao Cao and Sun Jian and Lu Bu is already unlocked
Nu Wa: Clear Musou Mode with Zhen Ji, Sun Shang Xiang, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao and Diao Chan is already unlocked

As for finding weapons and artifacts that is pretty simple, defeat all the enemy generals and smash every box you come across as they all hold those various items.

I bought this game before it was even released in the UK but I have seen it being sold for around £15.00 second hand.

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