Dynasty Warriors 3

Dynasty Warriors 3 (真・三國無双2, Shin Sangoku Musou 2) is the third title in the Dynasty Warriors series and the first to sell one million units. It is acclaimed by fans of the earlier titles to be one of the most difficult due to the enemies' AI.

The game's Chinese version is narrated by Liu Mingxun.

Gameplay

 * If they have a high ranked weapon, characters can now perform six hit combos. The four previous charge attack properties remain the same but add two more to the mix.
 * ,, , , undefined: Sends the opponent high into the air; continuing to press undefined triggers a synchronized follow up. This additional combo is called a Charge Drive.
 * ,, , , , undefined: Triggers a unique combo or a entirely different unique attack; some officers can extend it by tapping undefined.
 * Mounted attacks -as in, when the horse slays an enemy- can now affect the KO count for the player. Elephant mounts have also been added. Riding a specific steed, however, demands the player to be at certain level. For example, if the character is at a low level and tries to ride Red Hare, they'll likely be thrown off its back. To counter this setback, the player can level up their characters or equip saddles. Characters can now use Musou attacks while mounted.
 * When two players work together on a stage, they can perform an attack called a Double Musou. If they are close to one another and have their Musou gauges filled, they can press together to unleash a powerful assault, where they automatically perform their True Musou Attack with the lightning element.
 * Power Guards (press while blocking) replace the original counterattack system, where they push back the attacker upon their attack connecting, but it does not interrupt their attack string.
 * For the first time in the series, characters can collect and equip various items and weapons before each battle. Playable characters can equip four weapons; characters can only have one copy of each weapon. Fourth weapons and rarer items must be unlocked through special conditions on Hard or the new Very Hard difficulty level on specific stages.
 * Bodyguards can be brought into battle for the first time in the series.
 * Stat boosting remains similar to the previous title except Dynasty Warriors 3 offers different and/or higher stat boosts when the game is on harder difficulties.
 * Saving during battle can be done by choosing to quit from the pause menu. Only one game can be counted at one time and choosing to not continue it makes it invalid.
 * Enemy AI is much more aggressive and clearing crowds takes more effort. Even the most common soldier will actively run up to the player to attack.
 * Enemy and allied officers can replenish their health, and increase their attack and defense in a similar way as the player would charge their Musou. They will often do so when the player's character falls near them, regardless of somersault recovery (and it can be interrupted if they are hit on time). Enemy and allied officers always counter with their Musou if they get hit with a six-hit combo.

Musou Mode
Characters' modes are extended as they can participate in more battles than before. Many of their new scenarios involve the Southern Campaign to suppress the Nanman rebellion.

Free Mode
Similar as before, more stages and characters can be unlocked when the player completes Musou Mode. This is where the Other characters can be played.

Versus Mode
A mode that gives two players 90 minutes to compete with one another. They can chose to participate in the following challenges.
 * 3 vs 3 Elimination - set at Hu Lao Gate's front, players engaged in an allied 3 on 3 can duel with one another on horseback in a barricaded arena.
 * Struggle for the Imperial Seal - search for the Imperial Seal in the one of the Wu Territory bases and earn more warriors while engaging in a 5 on 5 with other allied generals. However, one can have said warriors betray one another if an opposing player also finds another Imperial Seal.
 * Skirmish at Chang Ban Bridge - pave a clear path through the wall of enemies on the bridge.
 * Battle at Sea - defeat all your opposition's 100 total soldiers on one of the ships at Chi Bi.
 * Team Battle - defeat the three officers atop Fan Castle's walls in a unique 4 on 4 as they enter into the fray one by one.
 * 4 vs 4 Elimination - be the first to climb Mt. Ding Jun's highest slope and meet the opposing commander at the top in an allied 4 on 4.
 * Valley of Stone Soldiers - a thick fog clouds the field and obstructs vision. Find any enemy officers and/or the opposing player inside Yi Ling's Stone Sentinel Maze under these conditions.
 * Duel - have a one-on-one battle within a barricaded spiked arena at Mt. Jie Ting's highest summit.

Challenge Mode
Within a 90 minute time limit, do one of the following.
 * Endurance - At Tong Gate's map, defeat as many officers as possible without being defeated.
 * Time Attack - Defeat all 100 enemies on the map as fast as you can. Takes place at the Raid on the Rogue Fortress.

Data Base
Includes an encyclopedia for various officers and showcases collected weapons and items.

Characters
Bolded characters are new in this title.

Expansions/Spin-Offs

 * Koei 2002 Spring Pack Shin Sangoku Musou 2/Shin Sangoku Musou - repackaged as a part of Koei's 2002 Spring Sale set. Received a 2002 clear file with purchase.
 * Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends
 * Mobile Shin Sangoku Musou
 * CR Shin Sangoku Musou - pachinko machine
 * Pachislot Shin Sangoku Musou - pachislot machine

Related Media
Kamaya released ten figurines of the cast.

Aside from the official guide books and character illustration book, Koei officially funded the following publications for this game:


 * Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 2 ~ Extra Stage Vol. 1 - collection of four panel parody comics created and illustrated by fans. ISBN: 4-87719-999-3
 * Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 2 ~ Extra Stage Vol. 2 - ISBN: 4-7758-0029-9
 * Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 2 ~ Extra Stage Vol. 3 - ISBN: 4-7758-0036-1

Image Song

 * Shenglu ~CIRCUIT~
 * Performed by Yō Hitoto

Allusions

 * Several tracks from this game later appear in Warriors Orochi 2 and 3. Some were also given a unique remix in Dynasty Warriors: Online.
 * Kiniro no Corda 2 includes a short loop of ENDLESS FIGHT in an event.

Trivia

 * The installment has a number of bug-based oddities, especially if the player uses a mod and/or cheat device to experience these themselves on an emulator:
 * Whenever an NPC model using the "warrior sword" moveset uses Huang Zhong's C5 attack followup/Charge Drive, they will not leave the ground properly and will land instantly during their rising period.
 * Other NPC model movesets however, will land down on the ground rather instantly whenever they finish their Charge Drive properly.
 * Specific enemy units with specific movesets when mounted, can only attack from one side via their final mounted normal string finisher. This oddly continunes in the next installment, and notable examples include most spear moveset users and halberd moveset users.
 * A similar situation happens with Liu Bei, as he is only able to have only a total of 4 inputs on his normal attack string while mounted (even with a third or final weapon equipped).
 * Some CPU versions of playable generals play different battle quotes whenever they use certain attacks (such as Lu Bu using his normal charge attack grunt instead of his unique one for his C1).
 * CPU enemies when hit with certain attacks, may also emit their K.O. scream even on a non-fatal attack.