DYNASTY WARRIORS 8 Empires Review Summary

Fun Musou combat and extensive customization are undermined by poor graphics, shallow repetitive gameplay, and unplayable controls.

Game is fun and enjoyable: Players consistently describe the game as fun, entertaining, and addictive, with many noting it remains enjoyable over years of play. The positive reception spans multiple clusters, indicating strong overall satisfaction with the core experience.

Extensive customization options: The game offers outstanding customization, including creating officers, soldiers, banners, horses, and scenarios. This high level of customization is a standout feature that many players praise.

Satisfying Musou combat: The Musou action, with large crowds and typical hack-and-slash gameplay, is described as satisfying and cathartic. The combat remains enjoyable despite some repetition, offering a solid core loop.

High replayability and variety: The game offers high replayability due to scenarios that play out differently, multiple playthroughs for titles and cutscenes, and a variety of scenarios. This keeps the experience fresh and encourages repeated engagement.

Loved by Dynasty Warriors fans: Reviewers who are fans of the Dynasty Warriors series express strong affection for this title, considering it among their favorites. This indicates it successfully delivers the expected franchise experience.

Poor graphics quality: Many reviews state that the graphics are worse than previous games, with PS3-era textures and blurry visuals. The port appears to use lower-quality assets, disappointing players expecting modern standards.

Shallow and repetitive gameplay: The game is criticized for being shallow as a strategy game, with Empires mechanics feeling superficial and generic. Gameplay is also described as repetitive and easy, lacking depth and novelty.

Unplayable controls and inputs: Controls are described as unresponsive, weird, and clunky, with the game ignoring inputs, making it borderline unplayable. This is a major issue affecting the core gameplay experience.

Bad PC port quality: The PC port is widely criticized as poor, lackluster, and compromised, with issues like PS3 textures and missing features. Players feel the port was not done properly, leading to a subpar experience.

Lack of English voiceovers: Players complain that the game only offers Japanese voice acting with no English or Chinese options, making it sound odd for English users. This is a significant localization issue affecting immersion.

Character creation is core: Players consistently highlight the character creation system as a major feature, allowing them to create custom characters and play as them in various scenarios. This is a central aspect of the game's appeal.

Strategic empire management: The game includes a strategic layer where players conquer territories, manage kingdoms, and build empires. This turn-based empire building is a key part of the experience.

Dynasty Warriors franchise entry: The game is part of the Dynasty Warriors series, specifically the Empires sub-series, and retains the franchise's signature hack-and-slash combat. This connection is important to fans.

Marriage and family system: Players can marry, have children, and even have their offspring join battles. This family mechanic adds a personal and strategic layer to the gameplay.

Hack and slash combat: The game features third-person hack-and-slash action typical of the Musou genre, with large-scale battles. This combat style is a defining characteristic.

Frequent crashes and instability: Multiple clusters report the game crashing on launch, during battles, when alt-tabbing, and even when pressing buttons. These crashes often result in lost progress and forced exits, making the game unreliable.

Controller support issues: Many players report that controllers are not recognized, require Big Picture mode, or have quirky default configurations. Some controllers, like PS4, do not work even after settings adjustments, and inputs are often ignored.

Graphics are dated: The graphics are described as PS3-era, with low-quality textures, glitches, and shadow bugs. They do not match promotional videos, and the game is limited to 1080p resolution.

Freezing and freezes: The game freezes randomly, in free mode, during battles, and when tabbing in and out. These freezes can occur in specific modes like conquest, and sometimes require disabling Windows services to avoid.

Mixed performance reports: Some players report no issues, with stable performance and smooth 60 FPS, while others experience frequent crashes and freezes. This suggests performance varies greatly depending on hardware and settings.

Not worth full price: Many reviewers advise against purchasing the game at full price, suggesting it is overpriced for its content. They recommend waiting for a sale or discount before buying.

Recommended for franchise fans: The game is generally recommended for fans of the Dynasty Warriors series and musou games. It offers the expected hack-and-slash gameplay and character customization that fans enjoy.

Recommended for series newcomers: The game is often recommended for players new to the Dynasty Warriors franchise, as it serves as a good entry point. Some suggest starting with Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends instead for a better experience.

Prefer other Dynasty Warriors titles: Several reviewers recommend other games in the series over this one, such as Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends or Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires. They consider these titles superior in gameplay and value.

Avoid or pirate: A few reviewers strongly advise against buying the game, suggesting pirating it instead. They cite issues like poor quality, high price, or lack of value.

Community fair range: $20.00 - $30.00.

The game hooks players right away with dynamic combat and deep customization/roleplay, but the repetitive conquest loop causes enjoyment to fade after repeated playthroughs.

Friction: Lack of controller support and button prompts; Strategy system takes time to learn; Menu softlocks when tabbing out; No English voiceovers.

Unlock drivers: Getting past controller support; Learning the strategy system.

Creative Roleplayer: Spends time in the edit mode crafting characters and scenarios, then plays through them with a focus on narrative and personal investment. Motivation: Creative expression and storytelling through character and scenario creation. Stance: buy.

Loyal Series Veteran: Plays through all content, using familiar tactics and strategies, often on higher difficulties, and appreciates the series' signature combat. Motivation: Nostalgia and completion of the Dynasty Warriors series experience. Stance: buy.

Port Quality Critic: Attempts to play but is hindered by crashes, control issues, and missing features; may use workarounds like remapping or using a controller. Motivation: Seeking a polished and functional port of the game they enjoy. Stance: no buy.

Steam Deck: The game suffers from major controller support deficiencies and frequent crashes, making it a frustrating experience on Steam Deck. While some users find it playable, the overall feedback indicates significant technical barriers.

Monetization: The game is a one-time purchase with a large amount of DLC, which many users find overpriced and excessive. However, there is no evidence of in-game microtransactions, pay-to-win, or gacha mechanics. The core game offers good customization and easier weapon unlocking via in-game points. Overall, the monetization is standard DLC-based, not predatory.

External guides: The user feedback primarily revolves around a critical bug where alt-tabbing causes the game to crash or display graphical glitches, with some workarounds mentioned. No complaints relate to farming, inventory, quests, or navigation, so the issue is purely technical.

Comparison to other Dynasty Warriors: Reviewers often compare this game to other titles in the series, such as Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires and 9 Empires. Many find this game superior to some sequels but inferior to older entries.

DLC pricing is excessive: Many reviewers criticize the high cost of DLC, calling it overpriced and not worth the money. Some note that DLC costs many times its actual value, and that gameplay-relevant content is sold separately.

PC port based on PS3: The PC version appears to be a port of the PS3 version rather than the PS4 version, leading to lower-quality graphics and textures. This is a common complaint among players.

Japanese voice acting only: The game features Japanese voice acting with English subtitles, but lacks English or Chinese dubs. Some players find this limiting, though others appreciate the original voices.

Extensive DLC offerings: The game has numerous DLCs, many of which are cosmetic, such as costumes and creation options. Some DLC adds story content, but the sheer amount can be overwhelming.