PlayStation 2

Dynasty Warriors 3

If videogames are ultimately doomed to be subjective and void of objective thinking, perhaps the much industry applauded and heralded advocate of videogames, Dr. Henry Jenkins of M.I.T., is correct in saying that the attraction behind videogames is that it allows us to explore our darker impulses without consequence. Perhaps its inescapable that videogames can only be about escapist violent fantasies. This would inevitably explain the great success that Grand Theft Auto 3 has achieved, and I could sleep better at night knowing that Im not a hypocrite for slaying 600 virtual soldiers and loving every second of it.

If you’re in need of a hack n slash game that has deep replay value, good difficulty and 2 player action, I really dont think there is a better alternative than Dynasty Warriors 3, atleast on the Playstation 2.

Dynasty Warriors 3 is a great update to the previous title. Plenty more options, battlefields, characters make this game a winner, even for those that own Dynasty Warriors 2. Perhaps the best inclusion is the 2-player game which is terrific fun, especially when on opposing teams. If you like old school beat 'em ups, or were sitting on the fence with the previous game, then I would recommend you pick up this title.

Die Stärken des Vorgängers wurden ansprechend ausgebaut, die Schwächen leider nicht entsprechend ausgemerzt: Die Grafik wurde in allen Belangen massiv verbessert und kann die auftauchenden Schwächen wie Nebelbildung durch die schiere Anzahl an Gegnern und die grandiosen Spezialeffekte vergessen machen. Und trotz -oder gerade wegen- des simplen Spielprinzips kann man Dynasty Warriors 3 jedem Prügelspielfan ans Herz legen. Vor allem, wenn man die herkömmlichen Kämpfe Eins-gegen-Eins satt hat. Da sich die Steuerung als genau so einfach wie effektiv gestaltet, findet man sofort einen Einstieg. Und die fordernden Missionen sorgen ebenso wie die zahlreichen freizuspielenden Waffen, Gegenstände und Charaktere für die nötige Langzeitmotivation - auch wenn der Spielablauf nach einigen Stunden keine wesentlichen Änderungen mehr erfährt. Koei zeigt, dass man auch mit dem Fokus auf Einfachheit ein faszinierendes Spiel auf die Beine stellen kann.

Despite its flaws, Dynasty Warriors 3 is simply a fun game to play. Seeing your kill count reach astronomical heights, playing with a friend or just watching your character increase in power does wonders for the gaming heart. By adding more depth and a much needed multiplayer mode, Koei has improved the series. So if you're a fan of beat 'em up action on a massive level, this is definitely the game for you.

Dynasty Warriors 3 has added more depth to the gameplay and the multi-player option leaves no one the sidelines. Pick up a copy of DW3 and if your parents ask, tell them you are doing some history homework.

Un beat'em up sympathique même si l'on aurait aimé plus d'évolution par rapport au précédent, notamment au niveau de la réalisation. Les ingrédients sont les mêmes, le principe également, ceux qui ont accroché avec le 2 devraient aimer celui-ci à moins de trouver que seul les décors ont changé...

Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Lu Bu, and all the rest are compelling characters in the novel, and Koei has been providing both strategy- and action-oriented versions of their tale for many years. Prospective buyers should note that Dynasty Warriors 3 is not a particularly remarkable progression from what was accomplished in last year's game, and the graphics look sloppy and dated in some cases.

Koei’s battle cry remains constant. In fact, if the Dynasty Warriors 3 logo didn’t flash across the screen, I’d swear I was playing the previous installment all over again. At the very least, I expected to see drastic enhancements made to the engine. With the implementation of dynamic effects and larger character models, this should have been a given. Oddly, Koei didn’t even make an effort. Massive amounts of background fogging continue to cloud every inch of the battlefield. When a dozen soldiers swarm around your location, you won’t be able to see five feet in front of you. Next generation gaming? Hardly.

It could take weeks to unlock all the game?s hidden characters and levels, making Dynasty Warriors 3 quite a bargain for your gaming dollar. Unfortunately, there?s very little aside from aesthetics and mild changes in story to distinguish the characters from each other, giving you little reward for the effort. A deeper RPG-like approach to character development would really go a long way to elevate Dynasty Warriors from a niche franchise to a true classic. As it is, Dynasty Warriors 3 is strictly for gamers who like their mindless action mixed with Chinese historical events.

I can definitely say that it does add to the lifespan of DW3, and that it is definitely worth a rental if you have the original and enjoyed playing it, maybe even worth buying if you can find it for under $20, like I did. Aside from that, I'd have to say that if you're new to the saga, or just looking for the most value, you should probably rent this and wait for Dynasty Warriors 4 (which is shipping in Japan next month, and will be probably be Stateside not too much after that). The new modes, movies, and weapons are nice...but they aren't nice enough to justify $30 in addition to whatever you paid for DW3.

Koei's China syndrome is wearing thin. The fun of facing off against hordes of enemies has lost its luster, despite some additions.