Dynasty Warriors 7 (真・三國無双6, Shin Sangoku Musou 6) is the seventh main installment of the Dynasty Warriors series. It was initially confirmed as a PlayStation 3 exclusive during the series's ten-year anniversary. However, on October 30, 2010, it was announced that an Xbox 360 version would be released in Europe and North America. In response to questions for an Asian Xbox version, the producer stated there were no plans for it.
The game's story features a more dramatic narrative. The producer and director aimed to bring back fans for the series's tenth anniversary, incorporating content from previous Warriors titles. However, the game is not a complete abolishment of the series or a complete return to the fifth title. The final product is the result of multiple experiments and trials.
Yebis was used to render this title and is the first title from the company to use it. Kenji Tanigaki is the opening movie director.
The game features various downloadable content.
Gameplay[]
The game uses 3D visuals, allowing players to immerse themselves in the Three Kingdoms setting. The producer pushed for this feature since its development phase.
Battle System[]
- See also: Weapon Movesets, Weapons, DLC Weapon Movesets and DLC Weapons
- The game reverts to the older combat system with the Renbu system discarded.
- With the removal of the Renbu system, the chain counter reverts to the traditional combo counter from older titles.
- Characters equip two different weapons and can switch between them freely mid-battle, similar to Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce, which unleashes attacks on enemies.
- Lock-on mode from Strikeforce is removed.
- Musou attacks are now fixed animations. Characters are able to use two different attacks, and the Musou gauge features multiple stocks.
- Musou attacks can knockback allies, but will not damage them.
- Various features introduced in Dynasty Warriors 6, namely tomes and special skills, dodge-rolling, running charge attacks, grapples, and deadlock victory attacks are removed. Jump charge attacks are also removed.
- A dynamic pitch is used for character battle voice lines, including musou attacks and grunts when attacking or taking damage.
- Similar to the Dynasty Warriors Gundam titles, an arrow icon pointing towards enemy generals appears when the player engages them.
- Speed boots now affect mounts when collected.
- Infantry health bars when attacking are no longer added to the UI, instead restricted to officers.
- Quotes for defeating enemy officers no longer play after every single officer.
- The Beginner difficulty from previous Xtreme Legends titles in the series is available by default.
Character Growth[]
Similar to the combat, character growth is reverted to a similar format as older titles, with characters having health, attack, and defense stats. Players can collect items to boost these stats, like swords, shields, and dim sums.
Similar to the previous entry, however, players have skill trees and earn skill points when defeating officers. These points can be spent to extend the character's attack string, gain additional musou stocks, learn a second musou attack, and obtain other personal traits for the player's character.
Enemy generals can drop weapons and can be used by the player's character right after obtaining them. In Conquest Mode, these weapons have a chance of being the character's personal weapon of choice. Like all other weapons in the game, these can also be customized by the player in the middle of battle.
Two types of support animals can aid the player in battle in Conquest Mode: animals that follow the player and fight together, and animals that can be ridden. Animals include horses, pandas, bears, elephants, wolves, falcons, and tigers. Most of these mounts can be seen again in Dynasty Warriors Online. Returning rare horses include Red Hare, Hex Mark, and Shadow Runner. The ability to call horses to the player's side and jump while riding a mount remains from Dynasty Warriors 6, though the former is mapped to L2 and the latter to 
.
Battlefield[]
- Maps in the style of Dynasty Warriors 4 are used for stages, with some locations doubling as others during different periods, and various sections of a map may be sealed off and open up later. Several map layouts from Dynasty Warriors 6 and its Empires spinoff are reused.
- Cutscenes and events are seamless, and the transition strives to be as close to real-time as possible. It is possible to continue playing right after special scenes that were previously pre-rendered movies.
- Swimming and climbing ladders are retained from the previous entry, and battles may feature various devices that can be used, though bases no longer play a role and character duels are absent.
- During battle, the camera may zoom in on nearby points of interest.
- Nearby allies and enemies can utter uncaptioned one-liners relevant to the current situation.
- Morale plays a reduced role, with the army morale gauge removed from the UI, and morale no longer appearing in the officer menu. Players can still monitor their force's status by listening to fellow officers' reports.
- Stage timers and subgenerals are also removed.
- Saving mid-battle can be performed an infinite number of times.
- Victory animations at the end of battles are not featured, though the victory musical rift still appears in Conquest Mode.
Modes[]
Free Mode and Challenge Mode do not return in this title. Continuing with the base versions of the previous two titles, there is no Edit Mode.
Story Mode[]
The story mode in the game follows each of the Three Kingdoms, culminating with the Jin Dynasty to end the era. Some versions allow players to select Jin's story before completing the other scenarios. This faction includes generals with historical connections to Wei.
The kingdom-based manner of storytelling is similar to Dynasty Warriors 4, albeit with more historically-accurate characters present. Each stage has a certain character assigned to it that the player uses. Some battles are also divided into two halves, providing different character perspectives. Not all playable characters are usable in Story Mode.
Prior to each battle, players can roam an allied stronghold and chat with ally generals. Weapons can be purchased or sold using gold earned from previous victories. Story Mode takes at least four to five hours, with the entire game potentially taking twenty hours.
Two-player co-op is not available for Story Mode.
Conquest Mode[]
- See also Conquest Mode
Called Chronicle Mode in Japanese, it is a new mode to the series which lets players explore another side of the Three Kingdoms era. Compared to Story Mode's fixed settings, Conquest Mode encourages freedom for the player to do whatever they see fit. Within this mode, players can earn stronger weapons unlock various playable characters that do not appear in Story Mode. Specific stories and stages are exclusive to this mode. Similar to the Legend Mode of previous titles, these preset scenarios are separated into three categories:
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms themed events.
- "What-if?" stories.
- Side stories to showcase talents of individual characters.
The game features interactive sections that lead to episodes or endings, with characters sharing stats and strengths. Rewards from Conquest Mode can be used in Story Mode, and players can form friendly bonds with other characters.
Two players with an online connection can choose to play through this mode together. Normal co-op with two controllers is also available.
Gallery[]
Image, movie, motion, event, and voice gallery for the characters in the game. Includes hints for obtaining items and other treasures. The option to edit an original introduction movie is not featured.
Encyclopedia[]
Features timeline and biographies like in previous titles. Also includes a glossary of terms mentioned in the novel.
Options[]
Change settings for the game.
Tutorial[]
Explains gameplay mechanics and techniques. Both the director and producer explained this feature was made to celebrate the series' tenth anniversary with new fans of the series. Play as Guan Ping and learn the basic movements and controls of the game.
Characters[]
For the first time in the series, Jin is a main force. Bolded characters are new or returning to the series. Cai Wenji previously debuted in the Shin Sangoku Musou Multi Raid 2 spinoff, alongside returners Da Qiao and Jiang Wei. All three characters reuse their designs from the game.
Trophies/Achievements[]
| Icon | Name | Unlock Method | Type | Xbox Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
True Warrior of the 3 Kingdoms | Obtain all other trophies/achievements. | Platinum | 90 |
 |
Consensus Builder | Max out bonds with every character in Conquest Mode. | Gold | 60 |
 |
Meticulous Collector | Thoroughly complete every topic available for the Gallery. | Gold | 60 |
 |
Weapon Collector | Except for the downloadable ones, obtain every weapon in the game. | Gold | 60 |
 |
Grand Emperor | Clear all of the Story Modes. | Silver | 30 |
 |
Ultimate Conqueror | Complete every stage in Conquest Mode (except for downloadable missions). | Silver | 30 |
 |
Hero of the Ages | Raise fame to over 1 million in Conquest Mode. | Silver | 30 |
 |
Quizmaster | Answer all of the Scholar's questions correctly in Conquest Mode. | Silver | 30 |
 |
Movie Collector | Witness all the movies in the game. | Silver | 30 |
 |
Valor In The City | Unlock all of the capital cities in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 60 |
 |
Audio Collector | Obtain all of the voices' in the Gallery. | Bronze | 30 |
 |
Seal Collector | Obtain every seal in the game. | Bronze | 30 |
 |
Nobleman | Collect over 1 million gold in the game. | Bronze | 30 |
 |
God of War | Earn a total sum of 100,000 KOs. | Bronze | 30 |
 |
Unrivaled Warrior | Defeat 3,000 enemies in one battle. | Bronze | 30 |
 |
Perfect Battle | Complete a battle without taking damage | Bronze | 30 |
 |
Emperor of Wei | Clear Wei's Story Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Emperor of Wu | Clear Wu's Story Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Emperor of Shu | Clear Shu's Story Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Emperor of Jin | Clear Jin's Story Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
A New Challenger Appears | Clear Wei, Wu, and Shu's Story Modes to unlock Jin. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Conqueror of Chibi | Clear the Battle of Chibi in the Three Kingdoms' Story Modes. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Dong Zhuo's Worst Nightmare | Complete the Elimination of Dong Zhuo in the Three Kingdoms' Story Modes. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Yellow Turbans Eliminated | Complete the Yellow Turbans Rebellion in the Three Kingdoms' Story Modes. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Friend of Wei | Clear Wei's Alliance Battles in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Friend of Wu | Clear Wu's Alliance Battles in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Friend of Shu | Clear Shu's Alliance Battles in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Friend of Jin | Clear Jin's Alliance Battles in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Renowned Warrior | Raise fame to over 500,000 in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Wandering Fighter | Raise fame to over 100,000 in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
A Man's Warrior | Max out bonds with five or more male characters in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
A Hit with the Ladies | Max out bonds with five or more female characters in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
A Warrior of the People | Unlock every character in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Historian | Complete over 10 Legendary Battles in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Little Conqueror | Unlock seven capital cities in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
A Great Leap Forward | Unlock one capital city in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Eager Student | Correctly answer five of the Scholar's questions in consecutive order. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
A Step Toward Glory | Clear one stage in Conquest Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Wallpaper Collector | Obtain every wallpaper in the game. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Animal Collector | Obtain all animal guardians in the game. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Event Collector | Obtain all of the events in the game. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Good Listener | See all of the conversation events in Story Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Expert | Learn all skills with any officer. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Weapon Aficionado | Obtain all weapons of a single type excluding downloadable ones. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Army of One | Defeat 1,000 enemies in one battle. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Gourmand | Consume healing items at least 100 times throughout the game. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Boot Camp Graduate | Clear all the missions in the Tutorial Mode. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Combo Master | Make a combo over fifty hits. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
Speedy Warrior | Complete a battle within one minute. | Bronze | 10 |
 |
OK, You Can Pursue Lu Bu | Defeat Lu Bu for the first time. | Bronze | 10 |
Expansions/Spin-Offs[]
- 100man-nin no Shin Sangoku Musou - mobile social game using this game's graphics; available for Japanese networks on April 21, 2011
- Dynasty Warriors by GREE; tentative title
- Dynasty Warriors 7: Special
- Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends
- Dynasty Warriors 7 with Xtreme Legends
- Dynasty Warriors VS
- Shin Sangoku Musou SLASH by GREE
Related Media[]
Four members of the Yoshimoto Performance talent group collaborated with Koei to promote the Three Kingdoms game. The project, known as the Yoshimoto Musou Project, featured live gameplay demonstrations, skits, and commercials, with a parody of comedian Inomoto's skits.
Dynasty Warriors 7 also did a special collaboration campaign with the DVD release of the Three Kingdoms TV series (known as Sangokushi Three Kingdoms in Japan). Other titles included with the campaign were Dynasty Warriors Online and 100man-nin no Sangokushi. A promotional video for this game was included in the Japanese DVD releases for the drama. Entering a special code on the campaign page let players obtain a present.
When players purchased this title, they received a special serial code for 100man-nin no Shin Sangoku Musou. This exclusive code let players of the social game acquire the rare item, The Art of War authored by Sun Tzu. Playing through the mobile game could also unlock rare weapons for its next-gen counterpart. Android offered interactive character wallpapers and music from the game for their services. Consumers could alter their character's pose on the wallpaper and listen to their quotes.
A collaboration campaign with Lawson promoted downloadable content, featuring Wang Yuanji's original outfit and weapon. Geo also participated in the early purchasing craze, offering costumes and serial codes for Lu Bu's outfit from 'Dynasty Warriors'. Pre-ordering from Furu1online, Furu1online, and Wonder Goo stores allowed access to Diao Chan's and Taishi Ci's costumes.
Mini figurines of the cast were made by Cafe Reo. The same illustrator for the design of these figurines also took part in illustrating images within a similar style for thirteen microfiber towels. Bravia developed a special television setting for their models that was dedicated to the game's graphics. Kabaya offered illustrated cards dedicated to the characters appearing in this title.
A character image song and character message CD for this title, Shin Sangoku Musou 6 Ouha - Kyouka Ranbu, was announced and added to stores on May 25, 2011. It was releaed on the same day as the third Samurai Warriors character image song CD, Sengoku Musou 3 Z Ten - Gouka Ougi.
Following suite with the Samurai Warriors series, a Dynasty Warriors voice actor event took place in Tokyo on September 11, 2011. Like other stage events a drama sequence, live performances of character image songs, and a talk show event for the series were planned. It is the series' first live stage event of this genre, often created for the Neoromance franchises instead. The name of the event is Shin Sangoku Musou Seiyu-Ranbu Autumn 2011. A DVD recording of the event was available for purchase in Japan on December 21st.
Koei-Tecmo's Dynasty Warriors 7 sold 800,000 copies globally, breaking records. During Koei-Tecmo's 2012 fiscal press report, Kou Shibusawa commented that this game sold a total of 950,000 units. Gamecity hosted a survey for fans' favorite characters, with the top three receiving an original wallpaper and a customizable theme for PS3 or PSP. Voting ended on July 21.
The Treasure Box release included the usual book filled with character illustrations and developer commentary, a digital photo frame dedicated to the series' ten year anniversary, eight postcards, and one of four ball point pens. These pens were also handed out to attendees of the first live press event for the game. People who performed early orders for the Japanese release online also received a serial code to download Zhao Yun's Dynasty Warriors outfit for this game.
On April 1 in Japan, as an April Fools' Day joke, Koei's Twitter account stated they would be releasing DLC that gave the character Dian Wei a costume featuring him with hair.
Image Song[]
- Performed by KinKi Kids
*used for the game's credits and commercials.
Trivia[]
- The game makes a brief appearance in the 9th episode of Kōkō Nyūshi, a Japanese mystery drama.
- This was the first Dynasty Warriors to feature facial expressions.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Official North American site
- Official European site
- Official Japanese site
- Official Taiwanese site
- Official Japanese PlayStation site
- Official Twitter link, Twitter icons - secondary link updated with rendered wallpapers of characters posing with their weapons of choice
- Premiere Event footage on Official KoeiTecmo YouTube Channel
- Japanese wiki
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