101 in 1001 - Finish 5 video games: Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends

Dynasty Warriors : Xtreme Legends 

Let me start this post by giving an obligatory apology for any ridiculous babbling that might occur here. However, despite the subject - Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends [Japan: 真・三國無双7 猛将伝 / Shin Sangoku Musou 7 Moushouden] (and the related games/ game franchises) - being a hack 'n' slash, highly dramatic & (at times) ridiculous "trash" game, I absolutely love it, so I'm not really sorry! Also, it's going to be my thoughts about the game, rather than a proper review, just so you know what to expect.

Sima Yi: Describing both this post and my gameplay style

This expansion for Dynasty Warriors 8 [Japan: 真・三國無双7 /Shin Sangoku Musou 7] - I've finished both, and DW: Empires, but I'll just include Xtreme Legends - is the first game I'm counting towards my 101 in 1001 goal of:

• 046. Finish 5 video games

The game is available on PS3, PS4, PS Vita and Windows platforms, with the first three being cross-platform save/co-op compatible. I have this title on the PS4, but I've also played games in the related franchises on the PS4 and PS2 as well.

The Wei faction's leader, Cao Cao

Dynasty Warriors is set in the Three Kingdoms era of China - beginning with the end of the Han Dynasty and ending at the start of the Jin Dynasty - and features characters who are loosely based on real historical figures.

Zhang Liao (Wei / Lu Bu), Lu Bu, and Chen Gong (new character and one I really like)

The concept of the main story mode is fairly straightforward: you play through various scenarios as characters from each faction and try to unite the land. However, all the factions have different approaches to unification/ruling the land in general and this inevitably leads to conflict.

Zhuge Liang (Shu), Liu Bei (Shu), Zhao Yun (Shu), and Sun Sun Shangxiang (Wu/Shu)

Every story is from the perspective of the side you're playing as, rather than a one-dimensional view. This is interesting, as it allows you to see the reasons behind what's happened and doesn't paint anyone as a completely evil character, despite their actions.

Sima Zhao, Sima Shi and Jia Chong (Jin). Jia Chong: cold in the most Utilitarian and practical of ways

I prefer the Wei faction (and the later Jin faction that emerges out of it, which is my favourite) and don't really like playing as Shu, but every side has interesting characters and plots. Shu is an important part of the overall story, and Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong and Wei Yan are some of the officers I enjoy being, so it's still fun.

(Clockwise) Wei Yan, Liu Bei, Pang Tong, Huang Zhong and an enemy commander. Hooray for Liu Bei, I guess?

In addition to Story Mode, there are also three other modes: Free Mode, Ambition Mode, and Challenge Mode. In Free Mode you can replay some stages from Story Mode and play additional unlocked stages as some of the characters, other than those who were originally available. 

Chen Gong and Diao Chan, from Lu Bu's narrative

Ambition Mode gives you the option to play as any character you want in a storyline in which your character must strive to unite Han China. 

Jia Chong (Jin) with Wang Yi (Wei) in the background

In addition to fighting battles, you also have to construct a town with various facilities, create bonds with the other officers, and forge new, improved weapons. To improve weapons, you can combine them with other weapons or upgrade them with gems you find on the battlefield.

Zhou Tai (Wu) and Zhang He (Jin) creating weapons

You're able to switch characters as often as you like in this mode, but I opted to play the first part of it as Zhang He and the second as Jia Chong. After the first half of the story, you will have to choose which officer to play as again. If you select another officer, you may not be able to select the initial character again, as most of your officers leave at this point.

Wei officer, shameless narcissist, and my long-time favourite character, Zhang He

 Of course, I thought it would be a good time to switch to Jia Chong for one battle, but then couldn't continue as Zhang He, as he never returned. Jia Chong was new in DW8 as a playable character and has become one of the characters I like the most as well, but I just prefer finishing the whole thing with same person. My wisdom is truly boundless!

Gan Ning and Ling Tong of Wu (from Story Mode); another accurate description of my gameplay choices

Lastly, in Challenge Mode you have to go through a number of challenges - Rampage, Bridge Melee, Speed Run, Arena, & Inferno - trying to beat the pre-set scores as you go. There's absolutely no story in this mode, it's just fighting enemies and trying to do better than the last time/get higher in the rankings. That may sound boring, but it's actually very entertaining.

Wang Yi (Wei): vengeance might not be hers, but at least she got the record!

Most of the battles in  the game are playable in co-op, either online or local, though there are some in Free Mode and Ambition Mode that have to be completed solo. I played the majority of DW8:XL with a friend in local co-op, which is split screen for the battles and operated by the main controller during other parts of the game.

Gan Ning and his jingling bells: making noise, and Ling Tong angry

My friend has also played the other related titles and so we had a lot of fun and were very silly about some of it, because it's just better that way! Most of our amusement was due to some of the silly/overly dramatic dialogues and because of two of the voice actors in it who have played other characters in something else (I won't mention which characters they are, but one of them is a favourite of mine in this game, and the other...isn't. haha).

Pang Tong (Shu) and Xu Shu (Shu/Wei), being sad and naïve...again

Overall, I liked DW8:XL just as much as, if not more than, the previous DW titles and still don't care that it's seen as a "trash" game by many people. It's not trash, it's melodramatically fantastic. :P If you enjoy hack 'n' slash combat combined with historical dramas, featuring some unusual characters, set in China, then play it for yourself and see! If you prefer things set in Japan, then you could play Samurai Warriors / Sengoku Musou [戦国無双] instead, as it's just as fun.

Sima Shi, because I like his half-mask & gloves and he's also a great character
(This sums up the feeling I'll have once I publish this post, too)