TL;DR
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires drops you into the role of a general in ancient China, blending strategy and epic, over-the-top combat. You'll manage resources, build your forces, and fight to conquer territories, but be warned – your actions have consequences that can ripple through your empire. While the game boasts strategic depth and replayability, the controls, possibly ported from PC, can feel a bit clunky, and the combat loop might get repetitive for newcomers. It's a solid entry for musou fans, but might not be for everyone. Want to know if it's worth your time? Dive into the full review to find out!
The initial title in the Japanese game series Dynasty Warriors debuted in 1997. Now, 25 years later, we see the release of the ninth installment: Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires. As a newcomer to the musou genre, I will be reviewing this title from a fresh perspective, rather than as a continuation of the established series.
Players assume the role of a General, tasked with building their forces, managing resources, and engaging in battles to either conquer or defend territories. Maintaining equilibrium is crucial; excessively oppressive actions can lead to negative repercussions and unforeseen consequences.
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires presents a wealth of strategic depth, with numerous systems to learn and master, offering substantial replayability. The game features a diverse roster of characters and territories to defend, each presenting unique challenges. Success hinges on effectively managing various parameters within each region. Careful consideration is required when making decisions, as missteps can lead to unintended negative outcomes. An accidental button press resulted in the unintended plundering of local farmers, significantly impacting my “meanness meter.” Governing effectively directly influences your area’s prosperity and the availability of resources and soldiers.
Combat involves commanding your army while directly controlling your chosen General. Battles are portrayed in an over-the-top, epic style, with enemy soldiers being sent flying upon attack. However, maintaining situational awareness during these large-scale conflicts can be challenging. Given that Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires was initially released for PC in 2018, the control scheme appears optimized for mouse and keyboard. This can lead to awkward control situations and difficulties in accessing certain functions, hindering the player’s overall battlefield awareness.
In conclusion, while Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires offers a considerable amount of content, the core gameplay loop can become somewhat repetitive. While the game is still enjoyable and receives a favorable score, a wholehearted recommendation is difficult to give to all players. Fans of the musou genre and the Dynasty Warriors series, however, will likely find this installment satisfying.
KOEI TECMO provided a review code for this analysis. The provision of review materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted independently and with the consumer’s best interests in mind.
