Dynasty Warriors
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<!-- [[Image:Ss5logo.png|thumb|right|180px|The Logo of ''Shin Sangokumusou 5'' (''Dynasty Warriors 6'')]] -->
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{{Nihongo|'''''Dynasty Warriors'''''|真・三國無双|Shin Sangokumusō|lit. "True - Unrivaled Three Kingdoms"}} is a series of tactical [[Action game|action]]<ref name="EA">{{cite web| title= EA Signs North American Distribution Agreement with Koei Corporation for Upcoming Tactical Action Game Samurai Warriors | url=http://www.info.ea.com/news/pr/pr456.htm | publisher=Electronic Arts | date=2004-02-24 | accessdate=2007-12-02}}</ref> [[video game]]s created by [[Koei]]. The award-winning series<ref name="EA"/> is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' series, based loosely around the Chinese epic [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms|of the same name]]. The first game titled [[Dynasty Warriors (video game)|''Dynasty Warriors'']], ''Sangokumusō'' in Japan, is a fighting game and not a true part of the series. All English titles are a number ahead of their Japanese counterparts due to the English localization of naming ''[[Dynasty Warriors 2|Shin Sangokumusō]]'', a spin-off of the previously mentioned ''Sangokumusō'' game, as ''Dynasty Warriors 2''.
Since [[November 18]] [[1997]], the ''Dynasty Warriors'' series has sold more than 9 million units worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corporate Profile |url=http://www.koei.com/company/index.cfm |publisher=Koei |date=2006-11-18 | accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref>
==Games==
===Original game===
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors (video game)|Dynasty Warriors]]'' (''Sangokumusō'') ([[1997]]) - ''[[PlayStation]]''
===Series proper===
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 2]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō'') ([[2000]]) - ''[[PlayStation 2]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3]]''' (''Shin Sangokumusō 2'') ([[2001]]) - ''[[PlayStation 2]]''; ([[2002]]) - ''[[Xbox]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 2 Mōshōden'') (2002) - ''[[PlayStation 2]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 4]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 3'') ([[2003]]) - ''[[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 3 Mōshōden'') (2003) - ''[[PlayStation 2]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 3 Empires'') ([[2004]]) - [[Playstation 2]]
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors (PSP)|Dynasty Warriors PSP]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō'') (2004) - ''[[PlayStation Portable]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 5]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 4'') ([[2005]]) - ''[[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors Advance]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō Advance'') (2005) - ''[[Game Boy Advance]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 4 Hyper]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 3 Hyper'') (2005) - ''[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] [[Windows 2000|2000]]/[[Windows XP|XP]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 4 Moushouden'') (2005) - ''[[PlayStation 2]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 5 Special]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 4 Special'') (2005) - ''[[Xbox 360]], [[Windows XP]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 4 Empires'') ([[2006]]) - ''[[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox 360]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 2nd Evolution'') (2006) - ''[[PlayStation Portable]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors BB]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō BB'') (2006) - ''[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] [[Windows 2000|2000]]/[[Windows XP|XP]]'' (Online)
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō DS'') ([[2007]]) - ''[[Nintendo DS]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 6]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 5'') (2007) - ''[[PlayStation 3]]'', ''[[Xbox 360]]'', ''[[Windows XP]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 6 Special]]'' (''Shin Sangokumusō 5 Special'') (2008) - ''[[Playstation 2]]''
===Spin-offs===
* ''[[Mahjong video game|Dynasty Warriors Mahjong]]'' (''Jan Sangokumusō'') (2006) - ''[[PlayStation 2]], [[PlayStation Portable]], [[Nintendo DS]]''
* ''[[Warriors Orochi]]'' (''Musō Orochi'') (2007) - ''[[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox 360]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Playstation Portable]]''
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam]]'' (''Gundam Musō'') (2007) - ''[[PlayStation 3]]'', ''[[Xbox 360]]''
* ''[[Warriors Orochi 2]]'' (''Muso Orochi: Maou Sairin'') (2008) - ''[[Playstation 2]]''
==Game characteristics==
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Xiahoudunmusou.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Xiahou Dun uses his Real Musō no Ranbu in ''[[Dynasty Warriors 5|Shin Sangokumusō 4]]''.]] -->
The first Dynasty Warriors was a traditional one on one [[fighting game]], released in [[1997]] on the [[PlayStation]]. Its play style was reminiscent of [[Tekken]] with the addition of weapons and some more exotic moves.
The next game was released in Japan as 'Shin (True) Sangokumusou'. This game was released in other countries as ''Dynasty Warriors 2'', leading to the discrepancy in title numbers. From this game onward, the player chooses a [[playable character]] [[general]], and plays through a number of levels representing particular conflicts in the time of the [[three kingdoms]], eventually defeating both of the other [[kingdoms]] and becoming the ruler of a unified [[China]]. In this [[Game_mechanics#Game_modes|game mode]], known as Musou Mode, the generals are usually chosen from one of the three kingdoms ([[Kingdom of Wu|Wu]], [[Kingdom of Shu|Shu]] or [[Kingdom of Wei|Wei]]; however, from ''Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends'' onwards, independent generals were given full stories as well). ''Dynasty Warriors 3'' had two [[secret characters]], [[Nu Wa]] and [[Fu Hsi|Fu Xi]], that were not playable in Musou Mode.
Both ''Dynasty Warriors 3'' and ''Dynasty Warriors 5'' have individual Musou Modes for each character. ''Dynasty Warriors 4'' has a single, but much longer, Musou Mode for an entire [[monarchy|Kingdom]]. For example, all characters aligned with [[Eastern Wu|Wu]] play through [[Eastern Wu|Wu]]'s Musou Mode. This allows the player to switch characters with another general from the same kingdom as they play through the story if they wish.
The stages are presented in a [[Third-person shooter|third-person]] view, with the camera set behind the player as they engage the enemy forces. Each scenario can have different win/loss conditions, although the player's own death invariably leads to the game over screen. Less common loss [[scenarios]] usually involve the death of the player's superior officer, the loss of a critical ally or fortification, or the escape of an enemy leader. The generals in ''Dynasty Warriors'' have relatively [[superhuman]] abilities and can send enemy soldiers flying through the air with a blow, if not killing them instantly. Certain generals can fire [[magic (gaming)|magic]]al [[projectiles]] or pound the ground to create massive [[shockwaves]]. It is possible for a single general to kill hundreds or even thousands of enemy soldiers and defeat their commander without the aid of any [[Artificial Intelligence|AI]] controlled allies. In fact the game will declare the player as unrivaled (either through the character or the character's superior officer) at every 1000 kills.
The order of events in a full Musou game follows the general order set by the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story, with allowances made for non-canon results (e.g. the player's army winning a battle they historically lost).
# Put down the [[Yellow Turban Rebellion]].
# End [[Dong Zhuo]]'s reign of terror.
# Defeat various 'other' warlords of the time period (''i.e.'', not [[Shu Han|Shu]], [[Cao Wei|Wei]], or [[Eastern Wu|Wu]]; however, this varies depending on the Kingdom—may include [[Yuan Shao]], [[Gongsun Zan]], [[Liu Biao]], or others).
# Defeat one of the other two rival kingdoms.
# Defeat the last remaining rival kingdom.
Missions on smaller maps are interspersed between the major levels, and each of the main three kingdoms has additional levels that deal mainly with internal problems, or with small skirmish-like battles between kingdoms. Since [[Lü Bu]], [[Yuan Shao]], [[Dong Zhuo]], [[Meng Huo]], [[Zhang Jiao]] and [[Lady Zhurong|Zhu Rong]] are all defeated in [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]], [[Diao Chan]] leaves the arena of war and politics shortly after Dong Zhuo's downfall, and [[Zuo Ci]] never participated in battle, their Musou Modes are pure [[fiction]].
''Dynasty Warriors 5'' introduced a relatively more realistic Musou mode. Instead of fighting in the entire set of their kingdom's events, the generals participate in [[battle]]s they would have been alive for. The generals therefore start out at different points in time, and some generals will never encounter one another. In between stages are dramatic scenes in which the general will discuss the battles and their feelings on what is happening. This gives the game more of a personal view as well as keeping the player up to date with what has happened in the story. ''Dynasty Warriors 5'' also deviates from the goal of unifying [[China]]. Not all characters are interested in conquest, and a general's Musou mode may end just after their kingdom is established instead of after the last rival kingdom is defeated. However, [[Cao Cao]], [[Liu Bei]] and [[Sun Jian]]'s Musou modes still vary from history. Although these characters die in history, story, and other generals' Musou modes, if you choose them as the playable character, the gameplay deviates from the original story and they continue to participate in events taking place after their deaths.
Due to the space restraints of the [[Game Boy Advance]] cartridge, ''Dynasty Warriors Advance'' only has 13 playable characters. The battle system has been reduced to basic moves and a power-up system added. The weapon system has also been overhauled with over 200 weapons. Each character can equip three different kinds of weapons adding for a unique experience. For instance, [[Zhen Ji]] can equip flutes, fans and swords while [[Sun Shang Xiang]] can equip a [[chakram]], claws and maces. The maps are a tactical type system with characters moving between spots on the map in a turn-based manner while fighting real time battles on a small battle field. The plot is essentially the same; however due to the limited number of maps and characters, several events have changed. For example, Sun Ce can show up at the battle of Yi Ling despite the fact he was dead before the battle was fought. [[Cao Cao]] is also present at the battle of Wu Zhang plains when should have been long dead. Those characters who are not playable in ''Dynasty Warriors Advance'' but are in other ''Dynasty Warriors'' games are present as generic generals with their respective profile image. However, there are some generals such as [[Sun Quan]], [[Yuan Shao]] and [[Dong Zhuo]] who have unique sprites leading some fans to believe that there are more than 13 playable characters. Koei has not confirmed this.
The ''Dynasty Warriors'' series is known for both portraying some of the characters with personalities that are far-fetched and eccentric, such as the flamboyant [[Zhang He]] and the bestial [[Wei Yan]], while portraying others with characteristics that are quite consistent with the novel, such as [[Cao Cao]] and [[Dong Zhuo]]. Some generals wield weapons that are rather [[Anachronism|anachronistic]], such as [[Ling Tong]]'s [[nunchaku]], [[Zhou Tai]]'s [[katana]], and [[Sun Ce]]'s [[tonfa]]s. Additionally, characters that were non-combatants in the stories or in history are included in the battles, as demonstrated by the inclusion of the female characters (in the original novel, [[Lady Zhurong]] was the only female who fought, using throwing knives). Finally, the issue of [[mysticism]] is touched upon with the characters [[Zhuge Liang]] (light beams), [[Sima Yi]] (light beams), [[Pang Tong]] (tornados), [[Cao Pi]] (ice orbs) and [[Zuo Ci]] (mystical paper talismans)and others who possess magical attacks.
==Characters==
{{main|List of Dynasty Warriors characters}}
There are, as of ''Dynasty Warriors 5'', a total of 48 playable characters in the ''Dynasty Warriors'' series. 4 characters found in earlier installments have since been removed. With the release of Dynasty Warriors 6{Shin Sangoku Musou 5} it's been found that 7 additional characters had been removed. Each character is armed with a weapon, which may be a conventional historical weapon, an exotic martial weapon, or a magical weapon enhancing their mystical powers and their stats.
===[[Shu Han|Shu]]===
[[Image:Liu Bei Art.jpg|right|200 px|thumb|[[Liu Bei]], first ruler of the Kingdom of Shu, and the eldest sworn brother of [[Guan Yu]] (right) and [[Zhang Fei (Three Kingdoms)|Zhang Fei]] (left). Died of illness shortly after the defeat in [[Battle of Yi Ling|Yi Ling]].]]
*[[Liu Bei]] (劉備) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: Taijijian (King of Shu)
*[[Guan Yu]] (關羽) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: Guan Dao (Divine Dragon)
*[[Zhang Fei (Three Kingdoms)|Zhang Fei]] (張飛) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: Snake Spear (Venom)
*[[Zhuge Liang]] (諸葛亮) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: War Fan (Divine Feather)
*[[Zhao Yun]] (趙雲) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: [[Qiang (spear)|Qiang]] (Raging Dragon)
*[[Ma Chao]] (馬超) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: [[Spear|Mao]] (Last Stallion)
*[[Huang Zhong]] (黄忠) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: [[Dao (sword)|Dao]] (Venerable Master)
*[[Guan Ping]] (關平) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 5-6''
*:Weapon: [[Zhanmadao]] (Young Dragon)
*[[Wei Yan]] (魏延) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-6''
*:Weapon: Double Voulge (Meteor Strike)
*[[Jiang Wei]] (姜維) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-5''
*:Weapon: Trident (Prodigal)
*[[Pang Tong]] (龐統) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-6''
*:Weapon: Staff (Great Phoenix)
*[[Yue Ying]] (月英) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 4-6''
*:Weapon: Scythe (Nether Realm)
*[[Xing Cai]] (星彩) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 5''
*:Weapon: War Fork (Ambition)
===[[Kingdom of Wei|Wei]]===
<!--[[Image:Cao Cao Art.jpg|right|200 px|thumb|[[Cao Cao]], father of [[Cao Pi]], who became the strongest warlord after defeating [[Yuan Shao]] and established the basis for the Kingdom of Wei. Died of a neurological disease.]] -->
*[[Cao Cao]] (曹操) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: [[Broad Sword]] (King of Wei)
*[[Xiahou Dun]] (夏侯惇) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: [[Scimitar]] (Kirin Blaze)
*[[Zhang Liao]] (張遼) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: [[Guan Dao]] (Celestial Wyvern)
*[[Xiahou Yuan]] (夏侯淵) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: Battle Rod (Mystic Fang), Iron Rod (Ogre Rod)
*[[Dian Wei]] (典韋) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: Hand Axe (Bull Rampage)
*[[Cao Pi]] (曹丕) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 5-6''
*:Weapon: Dual Sword (Chaos)
*[[Sima Yi]] (司馬懿) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: Strategist Fan (Abyssal Feather)
*[[Xu Huang]] (徐晃) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-6''
*:Weapon: Poleaxe (Annihilator)
*[[Xu Zhu]] (許褚) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: Mace (Earth Shaker)
*[[Cao Ren]] (曹仁) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 4-6''
*:Weapon: Buckler Blade (Kai)
*[[Zhang He]] (張郃) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-6''
*:Weapon: [[Bagh nakh|Tiger Claws]] (Infernal Talon)
*[[Pang De]] (龐徳) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 5''
*:Weapon: Dual Halberds (Heavenly Halberd)
*[[Zhen Ji]] (甄姫) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-6''
*:Weapon: Flute (Twilight Flute)
===[[Kingdom of Wu|Wu]]===
[[Image:Sun Jian Art.jpg|right|200 px|thumb|[[Sun Jian]], father of [[Sun Ce]], [[Sun Quan]] and [[Sun Shang Xiang]], who established the basis for the Kingdom of Wu. Killed in an ambush by forces of [[Liu Biao]] during the Assault of Jing.]]
*[[Sun Jian]] (孫堅) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: Taijijian (King of Wu)
*[[Sun Ce]] (孫策) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-6''
*:Weapon: Dual [[Tonfa]] (Hierophant)
*[[Gan Ning]] (甘寧) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: [[Dao (sword)|Dao]] (Leviathan)
*[[Huang Gai]] (黃蓋) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-6''
*:Weapon: Iron Rod (Shade)
*[[Sun Quan]] (孫權) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: Taijijian (Legacy)
*[[Sun Shang Xiang]] (孫尚香) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: [[Wind and fire wheels]] (Astral Chakram) ''Note: Her weapons are mislabeled as [[Chakram]]''
*[[Zhou Tai]] (周泰) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 4-6''
*:Weapon: [[Tachi]] (Setsuna) ''Note: His weapon is mislabeled as [[Katana]]''
*[[Zhou Yu]] (周瑜) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: Sword (Scion Sword)
*[[Taishi Ci]] (太史慈) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: Dual Hard Whips (Demon Slayer)
*[[Lü Meng|Lu Meng]] (呂蒙) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: [[Dagger-axe|Ge]] (Mystic Hunter)
*[[Lu Xun (Three Kingdoms)|Lu Xun]] (陸遜) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: Dual Sabers (Raptor)
*[[Ling Tong]] (凌統) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 5-6''
*:Weapon: [[Nunchuku]] (Dragon Fury)
*[[Da Qiao]] (大喬) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-5''
*:Weapon: Folding Fan (Mortal Beauty)
*[[Xiao Qiao]] (小喬) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-6''
*:Weapon: Folding Fan (Fatal Grace)
===Others===
[[Image:Lu Bu Art.jpg|right|200 px|thumb|[[Lu Bu]], renowned as the mightiest warrior during the era of the Three Kingdoms. Defeated and executed by [[Cao Cao]] at [[Xia Pi]].]]
*[[Lu Bu]] (呂布) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: [[Ji (halberd)|Ji]] (Maelstrom)
*[[Yuan Shao]] (袁紹) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: Taijijian (Majesty)
*[[Dong Zhuo]] (董卓) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: Jagged edged Sword (Pandemonium)
*[[Diao Chan]] (貂蝉) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1-6''
*:Weapon: Dual [[Chúi]] (Muse)
*[[Zuo Ci]] (左慈) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 5''
*:Weapon: Card Deck (Trump Deck)
*[[Meng Huo]] (孟獲) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-5''
*:Weapon: Gauntlets (King of Nanman)
*[[Zhang Jiao]] (張角) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 2-6''
*:Weapon: Staff (Staff of Peace)
*[[Zhu Rong]] (祝融) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3-5''
*:Weapon: Boomerang (Fire Goddess)
*[[Toukichi]] ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 1''
*:Weapon: Sword
*[[Fu Xi]] (伏羲) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3''
*:Weapon: Referred to as a [[Longsword]], but is actually closer to a [[Zweihänder]] (Fengshen Sword)
*[[Nu Wa]] (女媧) ''Available in Dynasty Warriors 3''
*:Weapon: [[Rapier]] and [[Buckler]] (Fengshen Rapier)
==Stages==
Many of the stages are recreations of notable battles present historically or from the ''Romance of Three Kingdoms'' novel, while original creations became more common with the newer installments. Here is a list of stages from ''Dynasty Warriors 2'' to ''Dynasty Warriors 5'' that appear quite often throughout the series.
*[[The Yellow Turban Rebellion]] (184A.D.)
*[[Battle of Sishui Pass|Battle of Si Shui Gate]] (191)
*[[Battle of Hulao Pass|Battle of Hu Lao Gate]] (191)
*[[Battle of Wancheng|Battle of Wan Castle]] (197)
*[[Sun Ce's Conquest of Wu Territory|Battle of Wu Territory]] (197)
*[[Battle of Xiapi|Battle of Xia Pi]] (198)
*[[Battle of Guandu|Battle of Guan Du]] (200)
*[[Guan Yu#Crossing five passes and slaying six warriors|Guan Yu's Escape]] (200)
*[[Battle of Changban|Battle of Chang Ban]] (208)
*[[Battle of Red Cliffs|Battle of Chi Bi]] (208)
*[[Battle of Tong Pass|Battle of Tong Gate]] (211)
*[[Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province|Battle of Cheng Du]] (214)
*[[Battle of Hefei|Battle of He Fei]] (215)
*[[Battle of Mount Dingjun|Battle of Mt. Ding Jun]] (219)
*[[Battle of Fancheng|Battle of Fan Castle]] (219)
*[[Battle of Xiaoting|Battle of Yi Ling]] (222)
*[[Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign|Conquest of Nan Zhong]] (225)
*[[Battle of Jieting|Battle of Jie Ting]] (228)
*[[Battle of Shiting|Battle of Shi Ting]] (228)
*[[Battle of Hefei#Third and fourth battles|Battle of He Fei Castle]] (234)
*[[Battle of Wuzhang Plains|Battle of Wu Zhang Plains]] (234)
==Soundtrack==
The Dynasty Warriors series uses traditional Chinese instrumentals with hard rock. Most stages have specific music tracks played exclusively, and the music changes depending on the situation of the battle.
Starting from Dynasty Warriors 3, Lu Bu is given his own theme song, and has been in every subsequent game since.
==Popularity==
Due to the enormous popularity of ''Dynasty Warriors'', Koei released numerous additional games to the series.
===Spinoffs===
Following the success of Dynasty Warriors, Koei released [[Dynasty Tactics]] in [[2002]] and its sequel in the following year, focusing on strategy and tactics in the same Three Kingdoms setting.
Probably the second most recognized franchise of Koei, the [[Samurai Warriors]] (Sengoku Musou in Japan) series, was introduced in 2004, instead using Japan's [[Sengoku Period]] while still retaining similar gameplay like its predecessor.
2006 saw the release of [[Mahjong video game|Dynasty Warriors Mahjong]] (Jan Sangoku Musou in Japan), which is completely different from the rest of the series, as it has the same characters play the game Mahjong, rather than having the gameplay of the original games.
In 2007, Koei released their first game for the new generation consoles Xbox 360 and Playstation 3; [[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam]] (Gundam Musou in Japan), combining the popular Gundam series with their gameplay, and earlier that same year, [[Warriors Orochi]] (Musou Orochi in Japan) was released, combining the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series into a fictional crossover. A sequel to that game, [[Warriors Orochi 2]], was released in Japan April 2008 and will be released in North America in September 2008.
[[Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War]] was also released in 2007, using gameplay similar to Koei's earlier [[Kessen]] series.
===Xtreme Legends and Empires===
In 2002, an "Xtreme Legends" (Moushouden in Japan) was released as a supplement to Dynasty Warriors 3, featuring story modes for the characters in the ''Other'' category. Since then, Xtreme Legends expansions have been released for every main Dynasty Warriors title for the Playstation 2 to date, adding new gameplay modes and more powerful weapons. It is currently unknown if an Xtreme Legends will be released for Dynasty Warriors 6.
In 2004, another expansion was released beginning with Dynasty Warriors 4. The "Empires" supplement uses the action gameplay of the regular series while combining strategical and tactical elements from Koei's earlier series [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (game)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''. Dynasty Warriors 5 also received an Empires expansion in 2006.
The Samurai Warriors series follows its predecessor by having Xtreme Legends and Empires expansions too, with the first Xtreme Legends for the first Samurai Warirors released in 2004 and the first Empires expansion released for Samurai Warriors 2 in 2007.
===Ports on other systems===
Dynasty Warriors 3 was ported to the Xbox system in 2002, and since then subsequent titles have been released for the same system, sans the Xtreme Legends and Empires expansions.
In 2004, Koei created the first Dynasty Warriors title for portable game handhelds, Dynasty Warriors, on the Playstation Portable, and the following year, Dynasty Warriors Advance for the Game Boy Advance.
Dynasty Warriors 4 Hyper in 2005 is marked as the first game for personal computers. In 2006, Dynasty Warriors BB (Renamed Dynasty Warriors Online in 2007) was released. It is unique as it is an online game, with players around the world interacting with each other.
==Criticism of English voice-work==
{{Totally-disputed|date=July 2008}}
The English voice-overs of Dynasty Warriors series wrongfully uses straightforward English pronunciations for the romanized pinyin names of characters and locations. The results are rather humorous to Chinese speakers and misleading to its Western audience. Some unfortunate examples are the mispronunciations of Cao Cao (pronounced cow cow instead of tsao tsao, if using Wade-Giles) and Cao Pi (pronounced cow pee instead of tsao pee). However, the recent Warriors Orochi and latest Dynasty warrior has started to change the pronouncing of the names to fix this.
==See also==
* [[List of Dynasty Warriors characters]]
* ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''
* ''[[Samurai Warriors]]''
* [[List of characters from Samurai Warriors]]
* ''[[Warriors Orochi]]''
* ''[[Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War]]''
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{wikiquote|Dynasty Warriors}}
*[http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=Dynasty+Warriors ''Dynasty Warriors''] at [[GameFAQs]]
===Japanese===
*[http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/smusou5/ The Official Site of ''Shin Sangoku Musou 5'' (''Dynasty Warriors 6'')]
===English===
*[http://www.dynastywarriors6.co.uk The Official Site of Dynasty Warriors 6]
*[http://koei.com The Official Site of Koei]
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