The best DW game to date.
Story Mode has been updated to include the Jin Kingdom, founded by the Sima clan and prominent during the end of the Three Kingdoms period. Unlike previous games, the player is not allowed to choose which officer he or she will play as in each kingdom. Instead, each kingdom has a fixed story with predetermined officers and generals. This has helped to make the overall game more story-driven, focusing on the exploits of each kingdom and how its various talents helped to shape their futures instead of simple combat.
Speaking of combat, the system itself has vastly improved from previous titles. The Renbu system has been replaced with a Charge oriented system, allowing the player to combine normal slashing attacks with powerful moves to create unique combos. Each officer is also equipped with an EX attack - which unleashes extra damage with the correct weapon and attack combo - and two Musou attacks that are unique to each one of them.
The weapon system has also received an upgrade. Most of the officers have their old weapons back (Zhen Ji's flute, Ling Tong's nunchaku, etc.) and those that share weapon types still have unique versions of them. In addition, each officer can now wield two different weapons that can be switched effortlessly. An experience system has also been implemented to determine which weapons can be handled well by certain officers. This means that Sun Shang Xiang will do well with her wheels, but good luck getting her to lift Huang Gai's club!
Free Mode has been replaced with Conquest/Chronicle Mode. This map of China boasts missions ranging from base defense to ally rescuing to all-out battles. Each officer has they own set of stages, called Legendary Stages, that focus on their own exploits. These can be origin battles to what-if scenarios to arena challenges. Each mission also nets different rewards like unique weapons, statue increases, and animals. Several cities are also located on this map that, once unlocked, offer the player a variety of tools and upgrades. The tea house allows the player to choose allies and companion animals; the scholar rewards correct answers about the RoTK universe with money; the blacksmith levels up weapons to obtain seals (attachable weapon upgrades); the dealer sells weapons to the player; and the merchant sells weapons, animals and sends ally aid requests for a flat rate.
Visually, this game is the most stunning of the series. It looks like it belongs with other next-gen games. The environments have been remastered, more terrain variations have been added, and details like shadows and reflections give the game a nice layer of polish. The officers themselves look less like fashion models and more like the warriors they are (in most cases; Zhang He is still as flamboyant as ever). The music is also on par with that of other titles. I promise that you will have that theme song in your head for the rest of the day once you hear it, and that's not a bad thing.
Koei has promised (and provided) a significant amount of DLC as well to keep the game fresh and exciting. Content includes a Japanese voice option, new costumes and costumes from previous titles, weapons from previous games and new stages.
Of course, every game comes with a few flaws. The voice acting, while better than most Warriors games, is still a bit off and some of the new voices are just plain grating. Co-op play is near impossible to find and can be even harder to connect to (a hint: it's in the pause menu of Chronicle Mode). Players who have complained about cloned movesets will still find them with officers who share weapon types. There are also a few blaringly obvious glitches that have weapons gliding through characters and walls, hair still moving after the character has stopped running, capes literally blowing through their wearers' legs and so on. The hardcore fans will also be able to spot areas where items were simply recycled from previous games.
Oh, and Pang De is still missing. Koei has confirmed that this was a storyline issue, but the pain of his MIA status is still felt by many players.
Still, the achievements in story and play are not overshadowed by a few problems. Dynasty Warriors 7 has proven that even among bigger titles, its captivating story and intriguing game play continue to draw in curious gamers who want to try something a little different. If you are a fan of the series, you will be impressed with 7's updates and changes. If you are new to the series, this is the best game to acquaint yourself with in the DW universe. If you are still unsure, at least try a rental. With addicting gameplay, engaging stories and a unique cast of characters, there's something for everyone in Dynasty Warriors 7.