Dynasty Warriors 7 Explained

Developer:Omega Force
Publisher:Tecmo Koei Games
Director:Atsushi Miyauchi
Producer:Akihiro Suzuki
Designer:Atsushi Ichiyanagi
Composer:Masayoshi Sasaki
Masako Otsuka
Haruki Yamada
Takashi Yoshida
Masato Koike
Series:Dynasty Warriors
Genre:Hack and slash, Action
Modes:Single-player, Multiplayer
Platforms:PlayStation 3
Xbox 360
Microsoft Windows
PlayStation Portable

is a hack and slash video game and the seventh official installment of the Dynasty Warriors series. It is developed by Omega Force and published by Tecmo Koei. The story is based on the 14th-century Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The game was unveiled at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show. On 26 October, it was revealed at the Koei Press Conference to have improved graphics and gameplay, with the support of stereoscopic 3D.[1] Tecmo Koei released it in North American on 29 March 2011, in Europe on 8 April 2011 and in Australia on 14 April 2011, after news that it has been delayed and was released on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[2] [3] Tecmo Koei Japan had released Dynasty Warriors 7 with Xtreme Legends, along with downloadable content up to October 2011 released on PlayStation 3 version, on Microsoft Windows.[4] It was later released worldwide in December 2018 via Steam as Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends Definitive Edition.

Gameplay

Dynasty Warriors 7 is the first game in the series to extend past the Battle of Wuzhang Plains. Consequently, the Jin Kingdom was added, bringing the total number of major factions to four.

Characters

Bold denotes default characters

Other
Bao SanniangCai WenjiDeng AiDiao Chan
Cao Cao Ding FengGuo HuaiDong Zhuo
Guan SuoSima ShiLu Bu
Sima Yi Meng Huo
Lian ShiSima ZhaoYuan Shao
Guo JiaWang YuanjiZhang Jiao
Liu Bei Jia XuXiahou BaZhu Rong
Liu ShanPang De Zhong Hui
Wang YiZhuge Dan
Ma DaiXiahou Dun Sun Jian
Sun Shang Xiang
Xu Shu

Note 1: This is Cai Wenji's first appearance in a European or North American Dynasty Warriors game. She is, however, a playable character in Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi Raid 2, currently only available in Japan.[6]

Note 2: Zuo Ci did not return due to a lack of story for him.

Note 3: Guo Jia, Pang De and Wang Yi were added in Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends.

Note 4: Xu Shu was added in Dynasty Warriors 7: Empires.

Story Mode

Shu

Stage The Name of Battle Year Events and Movies Ally
Commander
Enemy
Commander
Character
01Yellow Turban Rebellion - Part 1184 ADMaking a Stand
Flames of the Heavens
Pure of Heart
Liu BeiZhang JiaoLiu Bei
(debut)
Yellow Turban Rebellion - Part 2
02Elimination of Dong Zhuo - Part 1191 ADThe Unknown Hero
Blade of Righteousness
The Beast
Liu Bei
Yuan Shao
Dong ZhuoGuan Yu
(debut)
Elimination of Dong Zhuo - Part 2
03Battle of Xu Province194 ADThe WandererLiu Bei
Tao Qian
Cao CaoZhang Fei
(debut)
04Battle of Xiapi198 ADThe Spirit of a WarriorLiu Bei
Cao Cao
Lu BuGuan Yu
05Battle of Guandu200 ADEnter Zhao Yun
Guan Yu's Offering
Faith
The God of War Returns
Liu Bei
Yuan Shao1
Sun Quan
Cao Cao
Yuan Shao1
Zhao Yun
(debut)
06Battle of Xinye208 ADThe Crouching Dragon
The Power of Intelligence
The Three Visits
Benevolence
Liu Bei
Sun Quan
Cao HongZhang Fei
07Battle of Changban - Part 1Conflict at Changban
The Little One
The Fearsome Zhang Fei
Liu Bei
Zhang Fei2
Zhao Yun2
Cao CaoZhao Yun
Battle of Changban - Part 2Zhang Fei
08Battle of Chibi - Part 1Southeastern Winds
Fated Encounter
A Dangerous Path
New Allies
Liu Bei
Liu Qi3
Zhuge Liang3
Cao CaoZhao Yun
Battle of Chibi - Part 2Guan Yu
09Battle of Luo Castle215 ADThe Phoenix Takes Flight
The Death of Pang Tong
Liu Bei
Wei Yan
Pang Tong
Liu XunPang Tong
(debut)
10Battle of ChengduTo Chengdu
A Benevolent Ruler
Liu Bei
Ma Liang
Liu ZhangZhuge Liang
(debut)
11Battle of Mt. Dingjun218 ADThe Veteran's Duty
Decoy
Liu Bei
Zhuge Liang
Cao CaoHuang Zhong
(debut)
12Battle of Fan Castle - Part 1220 ADGuan Yu's Sons
Farewell
Blind Rage
Liu Shan4
Guan Yu4
Cao RenGuan Yu
Battle of Fan Castle - Part 2Guan Suo
(debut)
13Battle of Yiling - Part 1222ADTo Liu Bei
Calming the Storm
The Task Left Unfulfilled
Liu Bei
Ma Su5
Zhao Yun5
Lu XunZhao Yun
Battle of Yiling - Part 2Zhuge Liang
14Battle of Tianshui228 ADZhuge Liang's Vow
The Prodigy of Tianshui
Spirit of Benevolence
Liu Shan
Fei Yi
Jiang Wei
15Battle of Wuzhang Plains - Part 1234 ADThe Torch is Passed
Convictions
The Victor
Shooting Star
Liu Shan
Zhuge Liang
Sima YiJiang Wei
(debut)
Battle of Wuzhang Plains - Part 2

1 Yuan Shao becomes enemy after Zhao Yun discovers Guan Yu.

2 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Zhang Fei, and in Part 2 is Zhao Yun.

3 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Liu Qi, and in Part 2 is Zhuge Liang.

4 Ally Commander in Part 1 is Liu Shan, and in Part 2 are Liu Shan and Guan Yu.

5 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Ma Su, and in Part 2 is Zhao Yun.

Wei

Stage The Name of Battle Year Events and Movies Ally
Commander
Enemy
Commander
Character
01Dong Zhuo's Trap189 ADThe Corruption of the Han
The Animal, Lu Bu
Escape
Cao CaoGuo SiCao Cao
(debut)
02Elimination of Dong Zhuo - Part 1191 ADThe God of WarLiu Bei
Yuan Shao
Dong ZhuoXiahou Yuan
(debut)
Elimination of Dong Zhuo - Part 2
03Battle of Yan Province194 ADEnter Dian Wei
The Gentle Giant
The Qingzhou Troops
Cao Cao
Cao Hong
Xu ZhuDian Wei
(debut)
04Battle of Xu Province - Part 1Elite Guards
A New land
Cao Cao
Cao Ang
Tao QianXu Zhu
(debut)
Battle of Xu Province - Part 2
05Battle of Wan Castle - Part 1197 ADJia Xu and Zhang Xiu
The Death of Dian Wei
The Meaning of Revenge
Cao Cao
Dian Wei1
Yue Jin1
Jia XuDian Wei
Battle of Wan Castle - Part 2Cao Cao
06Battle of Xiapi198 ADShattered Vision
The Spirit of a Warrior
The Value of the Emperor
Liu Bei
Cao Cao
Cao Hong
Lu BuXiahou Dun
(debut)
07Battle of Guandu - Part 1200 ADA Sharp Gaze
Wuchao in Flames
Looking into the Distance
Cao Cao
Cao Pi
Cao Hong2
Xiahou Dun2
Cao Zhang2
Xun Yu2
Yuan ShaoCao Pi
(debut)
Battle of Guandu - Part 2
08Battle of Changban208 ADThe Duty of a Warrior
Guardian of Changban
A United Front
Cao CaoLiu Bei3
Guan Yu3
Zhang Liao
(debut)
09Battle of Chibi - Part 1Bound by Honor
A Time for Rest
Cao Cao
Cao Zhang4
Liu Bei
Sun Quan4
Xu Zhu
Battle of Chibi - Part 2Cao Cao
10Battle of Tong Gate211 ADThe Strategist
Ma Chao's Leap
What Lies Ahead
Cao Cao
Xiahou Yuan
Ma ChaoJia Xu
(debut)
11Battle of Yangping Gate215 ADGrace on the BattlefieldCao Cao
Cao Xiu
Zhang LuXiahou Yuan
12Battle of Hefei - Part 1Swift as the Wind
Guardian of Hefei
Cao Cao
Li Dian5
Yue Jin
Xue Ti5
Sun Quan5
Taishi Ci5
Zhang Liao
Battle of Hefei - Part 2
13Battle of Mount Dingjun - Part 1218 ADVolley
The Death of Xiahou Yuan
One Life for Another
Cao Cao
Zhang He6
Cao Zhi6
Zhuge LiangXiahou Yuan
Battle of Mount Dingjun - Part 2Zhang He
(debut)
14Battle of Fan Castle - Part 1220 ADDecision
Final Confrontation
The End of the Chaos
Beyond Conquest
A New Vision
Cao Pi
Lu Chang7
Cao Ren7
Guan YuXiahou Dun
Battle of Fan Castle - Part 2

1 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Dian Wei, and in Part 2 is Yue Jin.

2 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 are Cao Hong and Xiahou Dun, and in Part 2 are Cao Zhang and Xun Yu.

3 Must defeat Guan Yu even if Liu Bei has withdraws.

4 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Cao Zhang, and another Enemy Commander in Part 1 is Sun Quan.

5 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Li Dian, and in Part 2 is Xue Ti. Then must defeat Taishi Ci even if Sun Quan has withdraws.

6 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Zhang He, and in Part 2 is Cao Zhi.

7 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Lu Chang, and in Part 2 is Cao Ren.

Wu

Stage The Name of Battle Year Events and Movies Ally
Commander
Enemy
Commander
Character
01Conquest of Liang Province189 ADThe Meaning of War
Man and Beast as One
The Passion of Youth
Sun JianBian ZhangSun Jian
(debut)
02Ou Xing's RebellionWhere the Steely Gaze Roams
The Bonds of Family
Sun Jian
Sun Quan
Sun Kuang
Sun Ce
Ou XingSun Quan
(debut)
03Elimination of Dong Zhuo - Part 1191 ADThe Magnificent Warrior
A Worthy Fore
The Imperial Seal
Liu Bei
Yuan Shao
Dong ZhuoSun Jian
Elimination of Dong Zhuo - Part 2
04Battle of Jing ProvinceThe Tiger FallsSun JianLiu BiaoSun Ce
(debut)
05Battle of Wujun - Part 1199 ADNewfound Resolve
The Eyes of a Warrior
The Little Conqueror
Sun Quan
Sun Ce
Liu YaoZhou Yu
(debut)
Battle of Wujun - Part 2Sun Ce
06Defense of Xuan CastleBadges of HonorSun Quan
Jiang Qin
Pan LinZhou Tai
(debut)
07Assault on Xuchang - Part 1200 ADEchoes of the Past
Phantoms
Guardian Angel
The Little Conqueror Falls
Sun Quan
Sun Ce1
Sun Shangxiang1
Zhou Yu1
Xiahou DunSun Ce
Assault on Xuchang - Part 2Sun Quan
08Battle of Xiakou203 ADWise Counsel
Cooler Heads Prevall
A Decision of Consequence
Sun Quan
Cheng Pu
Huang Zu
09Battle of Chibi - Part 1208 ADCooking with Fire
An Unexpected Change of Plans
Liu Bei
Sun Quan
Song Qian2
Zhuge Liang2
Cao CaoZhou Yu
Battle of Chibi - Part 2Huang Gai
(debut)
10Battle of NanjunHidden Wounds
Union
True Strength
Liu Bei
Sun Quan
Zhou Yu
Cao RenGan Ning
(debut)
11Battle of Hefei - Part 1215 ADGan Ning of the Bells
Defender of Hefei
The Escape
Sun Quan
Sun Kuang
Ling Tong3
Gan Ning3
Cao Cao
Zhang Liao
Battle of Hefei - Part 2Ling Tong
(debut)
12Battle of Fan Castle - Part 1220 ADNothing to Lose
The Price of Victory
Sun Quan
Cao Ren
Lu Xun4
Guan YuLu Meng
(debut)
Battle of Fan Castle - Part 2
13Battle of Yiling - Part 1222 ADA New Star Rises
Trustworthy Allies
A Bittersweet Victory
Sun Quan
Sun Deng5
Song Qian5
Liu BeiLu Xun
(debut)
Battle of Yiling - Part 2
14Battle of Dongkou - Part 1223 ADTo Glory
A Ruler's Battle
Wu Victory
A Dream Fulfilled
Sun QuanCao PiSun Quan
Battle of Dongkou - Part 2

1 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Sun Ce, and in Part 2 are Sun Shangxiang and Zhou Yu.

2 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 are Song Qian and Zhuge Liang.

3 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Ling Tong, and in Part 2 is Gan Ning.

4 Another Ally Commander in Part 2 is Lu Xun.

5 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Sun Deng, and in Part 2 is Song Qian.

Jin

Stage The Name of Battle Year Events and Movies Ally
Commander
Enemy
Commander
Character
01Gongsun Yuan's Rebellion238 ADA Mere Fool
A Miserable World
Sima YiGongsun YuanSima Yi
(debut)
02Conquest of Shu244 ADEnter Deng Ai
The Han Assassin
The Path of the Sima
Sima Zhao
Cao Shuang
Ma DaiSima Zhao
(debut)
03Coup d'état249 ADThe Fool's Messenger
Cao Shuang Returns
The Prince of Incompetence
Bertayal
Sima YiCao ShuangSima Yi
04Han Invasion
(3rd Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions)
StubbornnessSima Zhao
Wang Guan
Jiang WeiSima Shi
(debut)
05Wang Ling's Rebellion251 ADFather to SonSima Yi
Sima Zhao
Wang LingSima Yi
06Battle of Dongxing - Part 1252 ADGravity
Ding Feng Makes His Stand
Responsibility
Sima Zhao
Sima Wang
Zhuge Dan1
Zhuge KeZhuge Dan
(debut)
Battle of Dongxing - Part 2Wang Yuanji
(debut)
07Battle of New Hefei Castle253 ADPunishment for FailureSima Zhao
Yue Chen
Zhuge KeSima Shi
082nd Han Invasion - Part 1
(7th Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions - Part 1)
255 ADThe Loyal Servant of Wei
A Debt to be Repaid
The Death of Guo Huai
Sima Zhao
Sima Wang2
Wang Yuanji
Jiang WeiGuo Huai
(debut)
2nd Han Invasion - Part 2
(7th Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions - Part 2)
Deng Ai
(debut)
09Attack on Sima ShiA Leisurely Stroll
Near Miss
Sima Zhao
Sima Shi
Xiahou XuanSima Zhao
10Guanqiu Jian & Wen Qin's Rebellion - Part 1The Arrow of Fate
Things Beyond One's Control
History Repeats
Sima Zhao
Yue Chen
Zhuge Dan3
Guanqiu Jian
Wen Qin
Sima Shi
Guanqiu Jian & Wen Qin's Rebellion - Part 2
113rd Han Invasion
(9th Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions)
256 ADTaking the ReinsSima Zhao
Chen Tai
Jiang WeiSima Zhao
124th Han Invasion - Part 1
(10th Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions - Part 1)
257 ADStealing Glory
One Step Behind
Face to Face
Sima Zhao
Deng Ai4
Zhong Hui4
Jiang WeiZhong Hui
(debut)
4th Han Invasion - Part 2
(10th Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions - Part 2)
Deng Ai
13Zhuge Dan's Rebellion - Part 1258 ADUnbridled Anger
An Inconvenient Truth
Zhuge Dan's Crime
Sima Zhao
Wang Yuanji5
Wen Yang5
Wen Hu5
Zhuge DanSima Zhao
Zhuge Dan's Rebellion - Part 2
14Wei's Emperor's Last Stand260 ADThe Wei Emperor's Answer
The Pages of History
Sima ZhaoCao Mao
15Capture of Chengdu - Part 1263 ADCrossing the Mountains
The Han Emperor
A Peaceful End
Trapped by Dreams
The Three Kingdoms End
Sima Zhao
Sima Wang6
Jia Chong6
Liu Shan
Jiang Wei7
Zhong Hui
Capture of Chengdu - Part 2Deng Ai
Capture of Chengdu - Part 3Sima Zhao

1 Another Ally Commander in Part 2 is Zhuge Dan.

2 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 are Sima Wang and Wang Yuanji, and in Part 2 is Wang Yuanji.

3 Another Ally Commander in Part 2 is Zhuge Dan.

4 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Deng Ai, and in Part 2 is Zhong Hui.

5 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Wang Yuanji, and in Part 2 are Wen Yang and Wen Hu.

6 Another Ally Commander in Part 1 is Wen Hu, in Part 2 is Sima Wang, and in Part 3 is Jia Chong.

7 Must defeat Jiang Wei even if Liu Shan withdraws.

Reception

Dynasty Warriors 7 received "mixed or average" reviews upon release, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[7]

Colin Moriarty from IGN titled his review "Repetitive adventure is repetitive" and said Dynasty Warriors 7 is "simply too much of the same thing over and over again to have any sort of broad appeal". He scored the game 5/10.[8]

Famitsu magazine was quite less critical, and awarded the game a total of 36/40, composed of a 9/9/9/9 score and was considered a great improvement over previous titles. In the first week of its release it sold 253,900 copies.[9] [10]

Destructoid awarded the game 8/10 in a generally positive review, noting the only disappointments being the low variation in move sets, and the lack of Free Mode.[11] The Gamer's Hub rated the game 4/5, commending the improved graphics, the new conquest mode, and the better flowing story.[12]

Related games

In late May 2011, Tecmo Koei announced that the game would be ported to the PlayStation Portable under the name Shin Sangokumusou 6 Special. It was released on August 25, 2012. During E3, Koei announced that the game will not be sold overseas, but that a new Dynasty Warriors game called Dynasty Warriors Next was in development for PS Vita and will be sold overseas instead.[13]

On the 29th of June, Famitsu Magazine released information about the new Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends. The game features 3 new characters, only for Wei: Guo Jia (who won a poll conducted by Famitsu), Wang Yi, and Pang De (who returns to the flagship title for the first time since Dynasty Warriors 5). The game features the ability to port saved data from Dynasty Warriors 7, and the MIX-JOY system allows new modes and weapons from Xtreme Legends to be combined with those from Dynasty Warriors 7. Free Mode returns, along with a co-op Story Mode, both of which were absent in Dynasty Warriors 7. Two more modes, Challenge Mode and Legend Mode, are added. It was released on September 29, 2011 in Japan, November 15, 2011 in United States, and November 18, 2011 in Europe as a PlayStation 3 exclusive title. Thus far, there have been no plans to release the game on other platforms.[14] [15] However, since the announcement of Dynasty Warriors 7 with Xtreme Legends on Microsoft Windows platform, Xtreme Legends may no longer be considered a PlayStation 3 exclusive title.

The Dynasty Warriors characters who appear in the crossover game Warriors Orochi 3 use the character models from this game. However, their dual-weapon ability is removed and characters are fixed to wield certain weapon types.

In May 2012, the Empires expansion for the game was announced to be released on PlayStation 3 on November 8, 2012 in Japan. As with other Empires expansion, the game is more focused on political and tactical battle system. It includes a new character named Xu Shu.[16] The game was also released in North America and Europe on February 26 and 22, 2013 respectively, though the game only translates the texts while still using the original Japanese dubs. Like Warriors Orochi 3, the game will only be available through digital download in North America, while other regions will have it as retail.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dynasty Warriors 7 to Support Stereoscopic 3D; Designed Specifically for PlayStation 3. 2010-10-26. 2010-12-26. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101206084457/http://www.electronictheatre.co.uk/index.php/industry-news/6273-dynasty-warriors-7-to-support-stereoscopic-3d-a-playstation-move-designed-specifically-for-playstation-3. 2010-12-06.
  2. Web site: Dynasty Warriors 7 Platforms. 2010-11-16. 2010-11-16. KoeiWarriors. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101129155606/http://koeiwarriors.co.uk/dw7-gameinfo.php. 2010-11-29.
  3. Web site: Dynasty Warriors 7 released for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. https://web.archive.org/web/20031216032514/http://www.koei.co.uk/. dead. 2003-12-16. 2010-11-16. 2010-11-16. Koei.
  4. Web site: News Release . 2012-01-16 . 2012-01-05 . Tecmo Koei . Japanese: 2012年01月05日 『真・三國無双6 with 猛将伝』 (Win版) 3月9日発売!.
  5. http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp191/koeiwarriors/BlackKite/dw7xl-2.jpg
  6. Web site: A site for KOEI Information. A community for every Warrior . KOEI Warriors . 2011-12-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111212212251/http://koeiwarriors.co.uk/dwsf2-cgartworks.php . 2011-12-12 . dead .
  7. Web site: Dynasty Warriors 7. Metacritic. 2018-03-20.
  8. Web site: Colin Moriarty . Dynasty Warriors 7 Review - PlayStation 3 Review at IGN . 31 March 2011 . Ps3.ign.com . 2011-12-15.
  9. Web site: Orland. Kyle. Dynasty Warriors 7 Premieres Atop Japanese Sales Charts. Gamasutra.
  10. Web site: Famitsu Score 9/9/9/9 . GameSpot.com . 2011-03-29 . 2011-12-15.
  11. Web site: Destructoid Review. 28 March 2011.
  12. Web site: The Gamer's Hub Review. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110402234224/http://thegamershub.net/2011/03/dynasty-warriors-7-review/. 2011-04-02.
  13. Web site: PlayStation Vita Video Game, E3 2011: Games Montage (Stream) | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos . GameTrailers.com . 2011-06-06 . 2011-12-15.
  14. Web site: A site for KOEI Information. A community for every Warrior . KOEI Warriors . 2011-09-21 . 2011-12-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111206214024/http://koeiwarriors.co.uk/dw7-xtremelegends.php . 2011-12-06 . dead .
  15. Web site: 真・三國無双6 猛将伝 . Gamecity.ne.jp . 2011-12-15.
  16. Web site: Shin Sangoku Musou 6 Empires [Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires] ]. The Magic Box . 2012-05-29 . 2012-06-02.