If any of our readers have been a fan of the Dynasty Warriors franchise since the first time they sliced their way through hordes of enemies, then they should know that the next installment, Dynasty Warriors 9, will have much more to offer than that. The biggest addition to the game will be the open world in which players can explore and interact with when they aren’t fighting off an entire army by themselves. At least that’s what it felt like to me sometimes.
Having an open world in a game like Dynasty Warriors 9 is a real change of pace when taking into account how previous titles sucked players in. Players would be tasked with choosing a warrior, planning a strategy, and implementing those plans on the battlefield. Sometimes that was easier said than done because the enemies had their own objectives as well. But the gameplay was always fun and engaging, regardless of how repetitive it may have felt after a while. Now that there will be an open world in Dynasty Warriors 9, players will have the opportunity to tone down the slaughter and focus on other, more relaxing features.
The open world element of the game will have players roaming around the map in search of watchtowers, where, much like Shadow of War or Assassin’s Creed, information on the surrounding area of the map will be revealed if climbed. For example, if one wanted to see which side mission to do next, climbing watchtowers to reveal certain areas of the map would be their best bet in making this endeavor as quick as possible. Also, if on top of the watchtower, players will get a bird’s eye view of that area of the map. So important destinations–like mountain ranges and bodies of water–can be spotted, marked as a waypoint, and traveled to without having to roam around the map aimlessly. These areas provide players with materials essential for crafting weapons and other various items. Oh, and also, certain areas of the map can only be accessed depending on where players are in the story.
Players will have free reign to interact with much more in the open world than that, though. They can set box traps and stop at a nearby fishing hole; both aspects of the world that have the potential of providing players with valuable resources, coins, and other materials essential for upgrading weapons, leveling up their own personal horse, or helping finance their furnishings for their new home. Those exploring deeper into the wild terrain will be able to hunt animals, where points will be earned after each successful hunt. Players can then travel to the Dilettante to collect their reward, which ranges from circlets, gems, and bubis. Bonfires, where players can stop and rest to change the time or cook meals, are also spread out throughout the map.
There will be a lot to do other than slicing and dicing in Dynasty Warriors 9, and that could go both ways for players. Some like the option to partake in these less demanding activities, while others prefer the non-stop action. Either way, I think it’s safe to say that this latest installment of the franchise will have something for everyone. Let’s be honest though… no one actually plays a Dynasty Warriors game so that they can catch a few fish. For me, and many others out there like me, immersing myself in the realistic environments when fighting off an unrealistic amount of enemies without dying was just as relaxing as a Sunday drive. Dynasty Warriors 9 hits the shelves in the United States on February 13, 2018, for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The game is currently in development to be released on the Xbox One X as well.