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[[File:Dw-15thanniversary.jpg|right|thumb|Fifteenth anniversary visual]]
[[File:20th Anniversary Art (DW9).png|right|thumb|300px|Twentieth anniversary visual]]
'''Dynasty Warriors''' (三國無双, ''Sangoku Musou'', lit. Three Kingdoms Unmatched; or 真・三國無双, ''Shin Sangoku Musou'', lit. True Three Kingdoms Unmatched) is a series of Hack-n-slash action games started by [[Koei]] and created by [[Omega Force]]. It draws inspiration from the historical novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (novel)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'', which entails the epic struggle of power between [[Three Kingdoms|three kingdoms]] in ancient [[China]].
'''Dynasty Warriors''' (三國無双, ''Sangoku Musou'', lit. Three Kingdoms Unmatched; or 真・三國無双, ''Shin Sangoku Musou'', lit. True Three Kingdoms Unmatched) is a series of hack-n-slash action games started by [[Koei]] and developed by [[Omega Force]]. It draws inspiration from the historical novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (novel)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' which details the epic struggle of power between [[Three Kingdoms|three kingdoms]] in ancient [[China]].


Before the [[Dynasty Warriors|first game]] was conceived, Omega Force members were originally planning on making a brand new action game completely unrelated to history. However, since many of Koei's employees are fans of the Three Kingdoms era, the concept of a Three Kingdoms action game was unconsciously made by the team. There were talks over whether they should develop the game in-house or pitch to another developer, but Omega Force won out.
Before creating the first ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' game, the Omega Force team had plans to make a new action game that had nothing to do with history. However, because many of Koei's employees were fans of the Three Kingdoms era, the team ended up creating a Three Kingdoms action game without realizing it. They discussed whether to develop the game themselves or pitch it to another developer, but Omega Force ultimately decided to develop it in-house.


When the developers wanted to port the fighting game to the PlayStation 2, they had second thoughts due to the fighting game boom at the time. To make themselves stand out, they envisioned a battlefield scenario and focused on the prospect of the player working with a team to fight against several opponents at once. After they decided to incorporate more elements from the Three Kingdoms era, it eventually became the hack-and-slash hit that it's known for today.
The developers hesitated to bring the game to the PlayStation 2 because there were already many popular fighting titles at that time. To make their product unique, they came up with the idea of a battlefield setting where players could team up to fight multiple opponents. They also decided to include elements from the Three Kingdoms era. This decision turned the game into the successful hack-and-slash title that it is today.


To establish a distinct difference between the first game, the word "true" (真, ''shin'') was inserted for the [[Dynasty Warriors 2|second title]]. Hence, the Japanese title for ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3]]'' is actually ''Shin Sangoku Musou 2'' and so on. Omega Force considers the ''Shin'' titles as the true start of the brand. Any series anniversary that they celebrate will be based on <i>Dynasty Warriors 2</i>'s sales date.
To establish a distinct difference between the first game, the word "true" (真, ''shin'') was inserted for the [[Dynasty Warriors 2|second title]]. Hence, the Japanese title for ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3]]'' is actually ''Shin Sangoku Musou 2'' and so on. Omega Force considers the ''Shin'' titles as the true start of the brand. Any series anniversary that they celebrate will be based on <i>Dynasty Warriors 2</i>'s sales date.
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Though listed under the action game genre, creators strove to make the series a "fusion of real time strategy and action". Eventually, the series's appeal was allowing the player to be a "one man army" versus the thousands of enemies in ancient China. [[Kou Shibusawa]] states that it was his personal desire to capture the excitement and thrill felt by the events in the novel. The series started its own type of genre. In the east, games similar to it are referred to as the ''Musou'' franchise. The English equivalent for the same term is ''Warriors'' series. Keeping in touch with the core ideas of its fighting game counterpart, the ''Dynasty Warriors'' series is designed to always be inviting to beginners to either the series or the action genre. The new features that are added into the series strive to never be too complicated, hoping to add another entertaining aspect for every type of fan of the ''Warriors'' games.
Though listed under the action game genre, creators strove to make the series a "fusion of real time strategy and action". Eventually, the series's appeal was allowing the player to be a "one man army" versus the thousands of enemies in ancient China. [[Kou Shibusawa]] states that it was his personal desire to capture the excitement and thrill felt by the events in the novel. The series started its own type of genre. In the east, games similar to it are referred to as the ''Musou'' franchise. The English equivalent for the same term is ''Warriors'' series. Keeping in touch with the core ideas of its fighting game counterpart, the ''Dynasty Warriors'' series is designed to always be inviting to beginners to either the series or the action genre. The new features that are added into the series strive to never be too complicated, hoping to add another entertaining aspect for every type of fan of the ''Warriors'' games.


A recent Dengeki PlayStation interview reveals that the development team look at other Three Kingdoms period media frequently in between designing each entry. They also don't have a formal team of historical researchers like the ones seen in Koei's historical simulation titles. However, developers do rely on other novels, books and movies they have personally read or seen. A particular individual in the Omega Force team also knows the time era "like the back of their hand". Whenever they ask the person questions, he/she can correctly identify a particular place, person, or battle on the spot.
A recent Dengeki PlayStation interview reveals that the development team does look at other Three Kingdoms period media frequently in between designing each entry for inspiration. They also lack a formal team of historical researchers like the ones seen in Koei's historical simulation titles. However, developers do rely on other novels, books and movies they have personally read or viewed. A particular individual in the Omega Force team also knows the time era "like the back of their hand". Whenever they ask the person questions, he/she can correctly identify a particular place, person, or battle on the spot.


The mechanics set in this series help influence game play elements in Koei's other titles, some of which include the ''[[Samurai Warriors (series)|Samurai Warriors]]'' and ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam]]'' series, ''[[Kessen|Kessen III]]'', and ''[[Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War]]''. Both the ''Dynasty Warriors'' and ''Samurai Warriors'' series crossover in the ''[[Warriors Orochi (series)|Warriors Orochi]]'' series.
The mechanics set in this series help influence game play elements in Koei's other titles, some of which include the ''[[Samurai Warriors (series)|Samurai Warriors]]'' and ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam]]'' series, ''[[Kessen|Kessen III]]'', and ''[[Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War]]''. Both the ''Dynasty Warriors'' and ''Samurai Warriors'' series crossover in the ''[[Warriors Orochi (series)|Warriors Orochi]]'' series.


==Characters==
==Characters==
The three kingdoms struggling in each game are [[Wei]], [[Wu]], and [[Shu]] but the series also adds characters from miscellaneous, unaffiliated factions into the mix. These characters are labeled as "[[Other]]". Lastly, guest characters were added in the original ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'', and ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3]]''. ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce 2]]'' includes several characters who didn't exist during the Three Kingdoms period. ''[[Dynasty Warriors 7]]'' adds [[Jin Dynasty|Jin]] to the games.
The three kingdoms struggling in each game are [[Wei]], [[Wu]], and [[Shu]] but the series also adds characters from [[Other|miscellaneous, unaffiliated factions]] into the mix. These characters are labeled as "[[Other]]". Lastly, guest characters were added in the original ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'', and ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3]]''. ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce 2]]'' includes several characters who didn't exist during the Three Kingdoms period. ''[[Dynasty Warriors 7]]'' adds [[Jin Dynasty|Jin]] to the games.


Characters are color coded by default to match the particular faction they serve. When told by a fan that the idea should be abandoned and to be more liberal like ''Samurai Warriors'', the [[Akihiro Suzuki|series producer]] defended the color choices since they serve as an easy method for distinguishing characters and their alignments. He would rather these tints serve as a political symbol of sorts than a completely driven aesthetic choice.
Characters are color coded by default to match the particular faction they serve. When told by a fan that the idea should be abandoned and to be more liberal like ''Samurai Warriors'', the [[Akihiro Suzuki|series producer]] defended the color choices since they serve as an easy method for distinguishing characters and their alignments. He would rather these hues serve as a political symbol of sorts than a completely driven aesthetic choice.
===[[Shu]]===
 
<gallery spacing="small" widths="155" bordersize="none" bordercolor="transparent" navigation="true">
<tabber>Wei=
Zhao Yun (DW9).png|'''[[Zhao Yun]]'''|link=Zhao Yun
<gallery mode=nolines>
Guan Yu (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Yu]]'''|link=Guan Yu
Xiahou Dun Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xiahou Dun]]'''|link=Xiahou Dun
Zhang Fei (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Fei]]'''|link=Zhang Fei
Dian Wei Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Dian Wei]]'''|link=Dian Wei
Zhuge Liang (DW9).png|'''[[Zhuge Liang]]'''|link=Zhuge Liang
Zhang Liao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Liao]]'''|link=Zhang Liao
Liu Bei (DW9).png|'''[[Liu Bei]]'''|link=Liu Bei
Cao Cao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Cao Cao]]'''|link=Cao Cao
Ma Chao (DW9).png|'''[[Ma Chao]]'''|link=Ma Chao
Xu Zhu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xu Zhu]]'''|link=Xu Zhu
Huang Zhong (DW9).png|'''[[Huang Zhong]]'''|link=Huang Zhong
Xiahou Yuan Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xiahou Yuan]]'''|link=Xiahou Yuan
Jiang Wei (DW9).png|'''[[Jiang Wei]]'''|link=Jiang Wei
Xu Huang Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xu Huang]]'''|link=Xu Huang
Wei Yan (DW9).png|'''[[Wei Yan]]'''|link=Wei Yan
Zhang He Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang He]]'''|link=Zhang He
Pang Tong (DW9).png|'''[[Pang Tong]]'''|link=Pang Tong
Cao Ren Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Cao Ren]]'''|link=Cao Ren
Yueying (DW9).png|'''[[Yueying]]'''|link=Yueying
Cao Pi Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Cao Pi]]'''|link=Cao Pi
Guan Ping (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Ping]]'''|link=Guan Ping
Zhenji Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhenji]]'''|link=Zhenji
Xingcai (DW9).png|'''[[Xingcai]]'''|link=Xingcai
Cai Wenji Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Cai Wenji]]'''|link=Cai Wenji
Liu Shan (DW9).png|'''[[Liu Shan]]'''|link=Liu Shan
Jia Xu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Jia Xu]]'''|link=Jia Xu
Ma Dai (DW9).png|'''[[Ma Dai]]'''|link=Ma Dai
Pang De Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Pang De]]'''|link=Pang De
Guan Suo (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Suo]]'''|link=Guan Suo
Wang Yi Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Wang Yi]]'''|link=Wang Yi
Bao Sanniang (DW9).png|'''[[Bao Sanniang]]'''|link=Bao Sanniang
Guo Jia Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Guo Jia]]'''|link=Guo Jia
Xu Shu (DW9).png|'''[[Xu Shu]]'''|link=Xu Shu
Yue Jin Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Yue Jin]]'''|link=Yue Jin
Zhang Bao (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Bao (Shu)|Zhang Bao]]'''|link=Zhang Bao (Shu)
Li Dian Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Li Dian]]'''|link=Li Dian
Guan Xing (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Xing]]'''|link=Guan Xing
Yu Jin Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Yu Jin]]'''|link=Yu Jin
Guan Yinping (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Yinping]]'''|link=Guan Yinping
Xun Yu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xun Yu]]'''|link=Xun Yu
Fa Zheng (DW9).png|'''[[Fa Zheng]]'''|link=Fa Zheng
Cao Xiu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Cao Xiu]]'''|link=Cao Xiu
Zhoucang-dw9.png|'''[[Zhou Cang]]'''|link=Zhou Cang
Man Chong Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Man Chong]]'''|link=Man Chong
Xun You Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xun You]]'''|link=Xun You
</gallery>
|-|Wu=
<gallery mode=nolines>
Zhou Yu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhou Yu]]'''|link=Zhou Yu
Lu Xun Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Xun]]'''|link=Lu Xun
Sun Shangxiang Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Sun Shangxiang]]'''|link=Sun Shangxiang
Gan Ning Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Gan Ning]]'''|link=Gan Ning
Sun Jian Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Sun Jian]]'''|link=Sun Jian
Taishi Ci Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Taishi Ci]]'''|link=Taishi Ci
Lu Meng Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Meng]]'''|link=Lu Meng
Huang Gai Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Huang Gai]]'''|link=Huang Gai
Zhou Tai Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhou Tai]]'''|link=Zhou Tai
Ling Tong Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Ling Tong]]'''|link=Ling Tong
Sun Ce Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Sun Ce]]'''|link=Sun Ce
Sun Quan Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Sun Quan]]'''|link=Sun Quan
Xiaoqiao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xiaoqiao]]'''|link=Xiaoqiao
Daqiao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Daqiao]]'''|link=Daqiao
Ding Feng Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Ding Feng]]'''|link=Ding Feng
Lianshi Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Lianshi]]'''|link=Lianshi
Lu Su Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Su]]'''|link=Lu Su
Han Dang Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Han Dang]]'''|link=Han Dang
Zhu Ran Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhu Ran]]'''|link=Zhu Ran
Cheng Pu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Cheng Pu]]'''|link=Cheng Pu
Xu Sheng Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xu Sheng]]'''|link=Xu Sheng
</gallery>
</gallery>
 
|-|Shu=
===[[Wei]]===
<gallery mode=nolines>
<gallery spacing="small" widths="155" bordersize="none" bordercolor="transparent" navigation="true">
Zhao Yun Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhao Yun]]'''|link=Zhao Yun
Xiahou Dun (DW9).png|'''[[Xiahou Dun]]'''|link=Xiahou Dun
Guan Yu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Yu]]'''|link=Guan Yu
Dian Wei (DW9).png|'''[[Dian Wei]]'''|link=Dian Wei
Zhang Fei Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Fei]]'''|link=Zhang Fei
Xu Zhu (DW9).png|'''[[Xu Zhu]]'''|link=Xu Zhu
Zhuge Liang Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhuge Liang]]'''|link=Zhuge Liang
Cao Cao (DW9).png|'''[[Cao Cao]]'''|link=Cao Cao
Liu Bei Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Liu Bei]]'''|link=Liu Bei
Xiahou Yuan (DW9).png|'''[[Xiahou Yuan]]'''|link=Xiahou Yuan
Ma Chao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Ma Chao]]'''|link=Ma Chao
Zhang Liao (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Liao]]'''|link=Zhang Liao
Huang Zhong Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Huang Zhong]]'''|link=Huang Zhong
Xu Huang (DW9).png|'''[[Xu Huang]]'''|link=Xu Huang
Wei Yan Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Wei Yan]]'''|link=Wei Yan
Zhang He (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang He]]'''|link=Zhang He
Guan Ping Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Ping]]'''|link=Guan Ping
Zhenji (DW9).png|'''[[Zhenji]]'''|link=Zhenji
Pang Tong Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Pang Tong]]'''|link=Pang Tong
Cao Ren (DW9).png|'''[[Cao Ren]]'''|link=Cao Ren
Yueying Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Yueying]]'''|link=Yueying
Cao Pi (DW9).png|'''[[Cao Pi]]'''|link=Cao Pi
Jiang Wei Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Jiang Wei]]'''|link=Jiang Wei
Pang De (DW9).png|'''[[Pang De]]'''|link=Pang De
Liu Shan Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Liu Shan]]'''|link=Liu Shan
Cai Wenji (DW9).png|'''[[Cai Wenji]]'''|link=Cai Wenji
Xingcai Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xingcai]]'''|link=Xingcai
Jia Xu (DW9).png|'''[[Jia Xu]]'''|link=Jia Xu
Ma Dai Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Ma Dai]]'''|link=Ma Dai
Wang Yi (DW9).png|'''[[Wang Yi]]'''|link=Wang Yi
Guan Suo Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Suo]]'''|link=Guan Suo
Guo Jia (DW9).png|'''[[Guo Jia]]'''|link=Guo Jia
Bao Sanniang Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Bao Sanniang]]'''|link=Bao Sanniang
Yue Jin (DW9).png|'''[[Yue Jin]]'''|link=Yue Jin
Xu Shu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xu Shu]]'''|link=Xu Shu
Li Dian (DW9).png|'''[[Li Dian]]'''|link=Li Dian
Zhang Bao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Bao (Shu)|Zhang Bao]]'''|link=Zhang Bao (Shu)
Yu Jin (DW9).png|'''[[Yu Jin]]'''|link=Yu Jin
Guan Xing Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Xing]]'''|link=Guan Xing
Xun Yu (DW9).png|'''[[Xun Yu]]'''|link=Xun Yu
Guan Yinping Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Guan Yinping]]'''|link=Guan Yinping
Cao Xiu (DW9).png|'''[[Cao Xiu]]'''|link=Cao Xiu
Fa Zheng Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Fa Zheng]]'''|link=Fa Zheng
Man Chong (DW9).png|'''[[Man Chong]]'''|link=Man Chong
Zhou Cang Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhou Cang]]'''|link=Zhou Cang
Xun You (DW9).png|'''[[Xun You]]'''|link=Xun You
Xiahou Ji Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xiahou Ji]]'''|link=Xiahouji
</gallery>
</gallery>
 
|-|Jin=
===[[Wu]]===
<gallery mode=nolines>
<gallery spacing="small" widths="155" bordersize="none" bordercolor="transparent" navigation="true">
Sima Yi Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Sima Yi]]'''|link=Sima Yi
Zhou Yu (DW9).png|'''[[Zhou Yu]]'''|link=Zhou Yu
Sima Shi Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Sima Shi]]'''|link=Sima Shi
Lu Xun (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Xun]]'''|link=Lu Xun
Sima Zhao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Sima Zhao]]'''|link=Sima Zhao
Taishi Ci (DW9).png|'''[[Taishi Ci]]'''|link=Taishi Ci
Deng Ai Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Deng Ai]]'''|link=Deng Ai
Sun Shangxiang (DW9).png|'''[[Sun Shangxiang]]'''|link=Sun Shangxiang
Wang Yuanji Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Wang Yuanji]]'''|link=Wang Yuanji
Sun Jian (DW9).png|'''[[Sun Jian]]'''|link=Sun Jian
Zhong Hui Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhong Hui]]'''|link=Zhong Hui
Sun Quan (DW9).png|'''[[Sun Quan]]'''|link=Sun Quan
Zhuge Dan Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhuge Dan]]'''|link=Zhuge Dan
Lu Meng (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Meng]]'''|link=Lu Meng
Xiahou Ba Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xiahou Ba]]'''|link=Xiahou Ba
Gan Ning (DW9).png|'''[[Gan Ning]]'''|link=Gan Ning
Guo Huai Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Guo Huai‎‎]]'''|link=Guo Huai
Huang Gai (DW9).png|'''[[Huang Gai]]'''|link=Huang Gai
Jia Chong Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Jia Chong]]'''|link=Jia Chong
Sun Ce (DW9).png|'''[[Sun Ce]]'''|link=Sun Ce
Wen Yang Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Wen Yang]]'''|link=Wen Yang
Daqiao (DW9).png|'''[[Daqiao]]'''|link=Daqiao
Zhang Chunhua Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Chunhua‎‎]]'''|link=Zhang Chunhua‎‎
Xiaoqiao (DW9).png|'''[[Xiaoqiao]]'''|link=Xiaoqiao
Xin Xianying Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Xin Xianying]]'''|link=Xin Xianying
Zhou Tai (DW9).png|'''[[Zhou Tai]]'''|link=Zhou Tai
Ling Tong (DW9).png|'''[[Ling Tong]]'''|link=Ling Tong
Ding Feng (DW9).png|'''[[Ding Feng]]'''|link=Ding Feng
Lianshi (DW9).png|'''[[Lianshi]]'''|link=Lianshi
Lu Su (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Su]]'''|link=Lu Su
Han Dang (DW9).png|'''[[Han Dang]]'''|link=Han Dang
Zhu Ran (DW9).png|'''[[Zhu Ran]]'''|link=Zhu Ran
Cheng Pu (DW9).png|'''[[Cheng Pu]]'''|link=Cheng Pu
Xu Sheng (DW9).png|'''[[Xu Sheng]]'''|link=Xu Sheng
</gallery>
</gallery>
 
|-|Other=
===[[Jin Dynasty|Jin]]===
<gallery mode=nolines>
<gallery spacing="small" widths="155" bordersize="none" bordercolor="transparent" navigation="true">
Diaochan Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Diaochan]]'''|link=Diaochan
Sima Yi (DW9).png|'''[[Sima Yi]]'''|link=Sima Yi
Lu Bu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Bu]]'''|link=Lu Bu
Sima Shi (DW9).png|'''[[Sima Shi]]'''|link=Sima Shi
Dong Zhuo Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Dong Zhuo]]'''|link=Dong Zhuo
Sima Zhao (DW9).png|'''[[Sima Zhao]]'''|link=Sima Zhao
Yuan Shao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Yuan Shao]]'''|link=Yuan Shao
Deng Ai (DW9).png|'''[[Deng Ai]]'''|link=Deng Ai
Zhang Jiao Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Jiao]]'''|link=Zhang Jiao
Wang Yuanji (DW9).png|'''[[Wang Yuanji]]'''|link=Wang Yuanji
Meng Huo Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Meng Huo]]'''|link=Meng Huo
Zhong Hui (DW9).png|'''[[Zhong Hui]]'''|link=Zhong Hui
Zhurong Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zhurong]]'''|link=Zhurong
Zhuge Dan (DW9).png|'''[[Zhuge Dan]]'''|link=Zhuge Dan
Zuo Ci Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Zuo Ci]]'''|link=Zuo Ci
Xiahou Ba (DW9).png|'''[[Xiahou Ba]]'''|link=Xiahou Ba
Chen Gong Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Chen Gong]]'''|link=Chen Gong
Guo Huai (DW9).png|'''[[Guo Huai‎‎]]'''|link=Guo Huai
Lu Lingqi Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Lingqi]]'''|link=Lu Lingqi
Jia Chong (DW9).png|'''[[Jia Chong]]'''|link=Jia Chong
Dong Bai Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Dong Bai]]'''|link=Dong Bai
Wen Yang (DW9).png|'''[[Wen Yang]]'''|link=Wen Yang
Hua Xiong Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Hua Xiong]]'''|link=Hua Xiong
Zhang Chunhua (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Chunhua‎‎]]'''|link=Zhang Chunhua‎‎
Yuan Shu Artwork (DW9).png|'''[[Yuan Shu]]'''|link=Yuan Shu
Xin Xianying (DW9).png|'''[[Xin Xianying]]'''|link=Xin Xianying
</gallery>
</gallery>
 
|-|Other (Miscellaneous)=
===[[Other]]===
<gallery mode=nolines>
<gallery spacing="small" widths="155" bordersize="none" bordercolor="transparent" navigation="true">
Lei_Bin_15th_Anniversary_Artwork_(DWGSK).png|'''[[Lei Bin]]'''|link=Lei Bin
Diaochan (DW9).png|'''[[Diaochan]]'''|link=Diaochan
Lu Bu (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Bu]]'''|link=Lu Bu
Dong Zhuo (DW9).png|'''[[Dong Zhuo]]'''|link=Dong Zhuo
Yuan Shao (DW9).png|'''[[Yuan Shao]]'''|link=Yuan Shao
Zhang Jiao (DW9).png|'''[[Zhang Jiao]]'''|link=Zhang Jiao
Meng Huo (DW9).png|'''[[Meng Huo]]'''|link=Meng Huo
Zhurong (DW9).png|'''[[Zhurong]]'''|link=Zhurong
Zuo Ci (DW9).png|'''[[Zuo Ci]]'''|link=Zuo Ci
Chen Gong (DW9).png|'''[[Chen Gong]]'''|link=Chen Gong
Lu Lingqi (DW9).png|'''[[Lu Lingqi]]'''|link=Lu Lingqi
Lei Bin 15th Anniversary Artwork (DWEKD).jpg|'''[[Lei Bin]]'''|link=Lei Bin
052 Fu Xi.png|'''[[Fu Xi]]'''|link=Fu Xi
052 Fu Xi.png|'''[[Fu Xi]]'''|link=Fu Xi
053 Nu Wa.png|'''[[Nuwa]]'''|link=Nuwa
053 Nu Wa.png|'''[[Nuwa]]'''|link=Nuwa
050 Sun Wukong.png|'''[[Sun Wukong]]'''|link=Sun Wukong
051 Sanzang Fashi.png|'''[[Sanzang]]'''|link=Sanzang
051 Sanzang Fashi.png|'''[[Sanzang]]'''|link=Sanzang
050 Sun Wukong.png|'''[[Sun Wukong]]'''|link=Sun Wukong
046 Xiang Yu.png|'''[[Xiang Yu]]'''|link=Xiang Yu
046 Xiang Yu.png|'''[[Xiang Yu]]'''|link=Xiang Yu
047 Mu Wang.png|'''[[King Mu]]'''|link=King Mu
048 Yu Meiren.png|'''[[Beauty Yu]]'''|link=Beauty Yu
048 Yu Meiren.png|'''[[Beauty Yu]]'''|link=Beauty Yu
049 Xi Wang Mu.png|'''[[Xi Wangmu]]'''|link=Xi Wangmu
049 Xi Wang Mu.png|'''[[Xi Wangmu]]'''|link=Xi Wangmu
047 Mu Wang.png|'''[[King Mu]]'''|link=King Mu
</gallery>
</gallery>
</tabber>


===Original Characters===
===Original Characters===
Line 143: Line 148:
*Sima Ken ''(Dynasty Warriors Online)''
*Sima Ken ''(Dynasty Warriors Online)''
*Simaji ''(Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z)''
*Simaji ''(Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z)''
*[[Lixia]] ''([[Shin Sangoku Musou Eiketsuden|Eiketsuden]])''
*[[Lixia]] ''([[Shin Sangoku Musou Eiketsuden|Godseekers]])''
*Dong Fang (''Dynasty Warriors: Blazing Battles'')


===Guest Characters===
===Guest Characters===
Line 150: Line 156:
*''[[Samurai Warriors]]'' cast ''(Dynasty Warriors PSP)''
*''[[Samurai Warriors]]'' cast ''(Dynasty Warriors PSP)''
*''[[Samurai Warriors 2]]'' cast ''(Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2)''
*''[[Samurai Warriors 2]]'' cast ''(Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2)''
*[[Orochi]] ''(Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce)''
*[[Orochi]] ''(Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce, Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed)''
*[[Da Ji]] ''(Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce)''
*[[Da Ji]] ''(Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce, Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed)''
*[[Kiyomori Taira]] ''(Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce)''
*[[Kiyomori Taira]] ''(Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce)''
*[[Taigong Wang]] ''(Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce)''
*[[Taigong Wang]] ''(Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce)''
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*[[Huche'er]] ''(Dynasty Warriors 7)''
*[[Huche'er]] ''(Dynasty Warriors 7)''
*[[King Wutugu]] ''(Dynasty Warriors 8)''
*[[King Wutugu]] ''(Dynasty Warriors 8)''
*[[Xiahou Ji]] ''(Dynasty Warriors 9;later added as a DLC Playable Character)''
*[[Dong Bai]] ''(Dynasty Warriors 9;later added as a DLC Playable Character)''
*[[Hua Xiong]] ''(Dynasty Warriors 9;later added as a DLC Playable Character)''
*[[Yuan Shu]] ''(Dynasty Warriors 9;later added as a DLC Playable Character)''


==Games==
==Games==
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*''[[Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires]]''
*''[[Dynasty Warriors 8: Empires]]''
*''[[Dynasty Warriors 9]]''
*''[[Dynasty Warriors 9]]''
*''[[Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires]]''
*''100man-nin no Shin Sangoku Musou'' by [http://www.gree.co.jp/news/press/2011/0131.html GREE]
*''100man-nin no Shin Sangoku Musou'' by [http://www.gree.co.jp/news/press/2011/0131.html GREE]
*''[[Shin Sangoku Musou SLASH]]'' by [http://pf.gree.jp/57503 GREE]
*''[[Shin Sangoku Musou SLASH]]'' by [http://pf.gree.jp/57503 GREE]
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*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Blazing Battles]]'' by [http://zs.laohu.com/ Perfect World]
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Blazing Battles]]'' by [http://zs.laohu.com/ Perfect World]
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed]]'' by [[wikipedia:Nexon|Nexon]]
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed]]'' by [[wikipedia:Nexon|Nexon]]
*''[[Shin Sangoku Musou Apuri]]''
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Overlords]]'' by SuperNova Game
*''[[Dynasty Warriors M]]'' by Nexon
*''Pachislot Shin Sangoku Musou'' by [http://www.fields.biz/catalog/s_sangoku/ Fields]
*''Pachislot Shin Sangoku Musou'' by [http://www.fields.biz/catalog/s_sangoku/ Fields]
*''Shin Sangoku Musou'' by [http://www.heiwanet.co.jp/latest/s_sangoku_tenji/ Heiwa]
*''Shin Sangoku Musou'' by [http://www.heiwanet.co.jp/latest/s_sangoku_tenji/ Heiwa]
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A ''Dynasty Warriors'' themed PSP [http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/shop/psp/accessory/ protective pouch] was also created by Koei in 2006.
A ''Dynasty Warriors'' themed PSP [http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/shop/psp/accessory/ protective pouch] was also created by Koei in 2006.
Cygame's ''[http://sangokushi-puzzle.jp Sangokushi Puzzle Taisen]'' is hosting a [http://sangokushi-puzzle.jp/post-9198/ ''Dynasty Warriors'' collaboration] December 2~16, 2014. Registered players can earn/purchase ''Dynasty Warriors'' characters in a series of events for the campaign.


==See Also==
==See Also==
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==External Links==
==External Links==
*[http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/smusou/#home Official series portal], [https://twitter.com/s_sangokumusou Official Twitter]
*[http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/smusou/#home Official Series Portal (Japanese)]
*[http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/smusou10th/ Koei-Tecmo's series 10th Anniversary site]
*[https://www.gamecity.ne.jp/media/book/book_2j.htm Official Publication Listing (Japanese)]
*[http://psvita.jp.playstation.com/blog/_vol1_2951.html Japanese Playstation interview with an Omega Force founder and developer Kenichi Ogasawara]
*[https://twitter.com/s_sangokumusou Official X Profile (Japanese)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100920083245/http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/smusou10th/ Koei Tecmo's Series 10th Anniversary Website (Japanese)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111022235313/http://psvita.jp.playstation.com/blog/_vol1_2951.html Japanese PlayStation Interview with Omega Force Founder and Developer Kenichi Ogasawara (Japanese)]


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery spacing="small" widths="155" bordersize="none" bordercolor="transparent">
<tabber>Game Covers=
<gallery mode=nolines>
Dynasty Warriors Case.jpg|Dynasty Warriors
Dynasty Warriors Case.jpg|Dynasty Warriors
Dynasty Warriors 2 Case.jpg|Dynasty Warriors 2
Dynasty Warriors 2 Case.jpg|Dynasty Warriors 2
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Dw9-uscover.jpg|Dynasty Warriors 9
Dw9-uscover.jpg|Dynasty Warriors 9
</gallery>
</gallery>
 
|-|Advertisements=
{{info}}
<gallery mode=nolines>
Magazine Ad (DW).png|Dynasty Warriors ad flyer
Magazine Ad 2 (DW).png|Dynasty Warriors ad flyer 2
Magazine Ad 3 (DW).png|Dynasty Warriors ad flyer 3
Magazine Ad (DW2).png|Dynasty Warriors 2 ad flyer
Magazine Ad 2 (DW2).png|Dynasty Warriors 2 ad flyer 2
Magazine Ad 3 (DW2).png|Dynasty Warriors 2 ad flyer 3
Magazine Ad (DW3).png|Dynasty Warriors 3 ad flyer
Magazine Ad 2 (DW3).png|Dynasty Warriors 3 ad flyer 2
Magazine Ad 3 (DW3).png|Dynasty Warriors 3 ad flyer 3
Magazine Ad (DW3XL).png|Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends ad flyer
Magazine Ad (DW4).png|Dynasty Warriors 4 ad flyer
Magazine Ad 2 (DW4).png|Dynasty Warriors 4 ad flyer 2
Magazine Ad 3 (DW4).png|Dynasty Warriors 4 ad flyer 3
Magazine Ad 4 (DW4).png|Dynasty Warriors 4 ad flyer 4
Magazine Ad 5 (DW4).png|Dynasty Warriors 4 ad flyer 5
Magazine Ad (DW4H).png|Dynasty Warriors 4: Hyper ad flyer
Magazine Ad (DW4XL).png|Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends ad flyer
Magazine Ad (DWPSP).png|Dynasty Warriors PSP ad flyer
Magazine Ad 2 (DWPSP).png|Dynasty Warriors PSP ad flyer 2
Magazine Ad (DWFB).png|Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle ad flyer
Magazine Ad (DW6).png|Dynasty Warriors 6 ad flyer
Magazine Ad (DW6E).png|Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires ad flyer
Magazine Ad (DWSF).png|Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce ad flyer
</gallery>
</tabber>
{{Info}}
[[Category:Game Series]]
[[Category:Game Series]]

Latest revision as of 06:05, 31 March 2024

Twentieth anniversary visual

Dynasty Warriors (三國無双, Sangoku Musou, lit. Three Kingdoms Unmatched; or 真・三國無双, Shin Sangoku Musou, lit. True Three Kingdoms Unmatched) is a series of hack-n-slash action games started by Koei and developed by Omega Force. It draws inspiration from the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms which details the epic struggle of power between three kingdoms in ancient China.

Before creating the first Dynasty Warriors game, the Omega Force team had plans to make a new action game that had nothing to do with history. However, because many of Koei's employees were fans of the Three Kingdoms era, the team ended up creating a Three Kingdoms action game without realizing it. They discussed whether to develop the game themselves or pitch it to another developer, but Omega Force ultimately decided to develop it in-house.

The developers hesitated to bring the game to the PlayStation 2 because there were already many popular fighting titles at that time. To make their product unique, they came up with the idea of a battlefield setting where players could team up to fight multiple opponents. They also decided to include elements from the Three Kingdoms era. This decision turned the game into the successful hack-and-slash title that it is today.

To establish a distinct difference between the first game, the word "true" (真, shin) was inserted for the second title. Hence, the Japanese title for Dynasty Warriors 3 is actually Shin Sangoku Musou 2 and so on. Omega Force considers the Shin titles as the true start of the brand. Any series anniversary that they celebrate will be based on Dynasty Warriors 2's sales date.

Though listed under the action game genre, creators strove to make the series a "fusion of real time strategy and action". Eventually, the series's appeal was allowing the player to be a "one man army" versus the thousands of enemies in ancient China. Kou Shibusawa states that it was his personal desire to capture the excitement and thrill felt by the events in the novel. The series started its own type of genre. In the east, games similar to it are referred to as the Musou franchise. The English equivalent for the same term is Warriors series. Keeping in touch with the core ideas of its fighting game counterpart, the Dynasty Warriors series is designed to always be inviting to beginners to either the series or the action genre. The new features that are added into the series strive to never be too complicated, hoping to add another entertaining aspect for every type of fan of the Warriors games.

A recent Dengeki PlayStation interview reveals that the development team does look at other Three Kingdoms period media frequently in between designing each entry for inspiration. They also lack a formal team of historical researchers like the ones seen in Koei's historical simulation titles. However, developers do rely on other novels, books and movies they have personally read or viewed. A particular individual in the Omega Force team also knows the time era "like the back of their hand". Whenever they ask the person questions, he/she can correctly identify a particular place, person, or battle on the spot.

The mechanics set in this series help influence game play elements in Koei's other titles, some of which include the Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors: Gundam series, Kessen III, and Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War. Both the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series crossover in the Warriors Orochi series.

Characters

The three kingdoms struggling in each game are Wei, Wu, and Shu but the series also adds characters from miscellaneous, unaffiliated factions into the mix. These characters are labeled as "Other". Lastly, guest characters were added in the original Dynasty Warriors, and Dynasty Warriors 3. Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce 2 includes several characters who didn't exist during the Three Kingdoms period. Dynasty Warriors 7 adds Jin to the games.

Characters are color coded by default to match the particular faction they serve. When told by a fan that the idea should be abandoned and to be more liberal like Samurai Warriors, the series producer defended the color choices since they serve as an easy method for distinguishing characters and their alignments. He would rather these hues serve as a political symbol of sorts than a completely driven aesthetic choice.

Original Characters

  • Phoenix, Dragon, and Chimera (Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle)
  • Cao Wenming (Dynasty Warriors Online)
  • Xiahou Bang (Dynasty Warriors Online)
  • Sima Ken (Dynasty Warriors Online)
  • Simaji (Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z)
  • Lixia (Godseekers)
  • Dong Fang (Dynasty Warriors: Blazing Battles)

Guest Characters

Unique Non-Playable Characters

Uniquely designed non-playable characters only.

Games

Related Media

Koei published a twelve volume fanbook series titled Dynasty Warriors Communication (真・三國無双通信, Shin Sangoku Musou Tsushin). It contained information about the developers, gag comics, official illustrations, and fun tidbits for fans. When Samurai Warriors came out, the two franchises shared a similar publication titled Musou Fan Field (無双FanField). A miniature novel series for the Romance of the Three Kingdoms was also included. Two drama CDs based on Dynasty Warriors 4 were made surrounding the battles at Chi Bi and He Fei.

Gamecity also published a light novel dramatizing the CD's events. A free sample of the light novel can be read in Japanese here.

To celebrate their series's tenth anniversary, a cohesive character illustration book was released to include all characters and their iterations within this series. It states to include up until the sixth title, but the Strikeforce characters are also included in the book. Kabaya published trading cards with character illustrations found throughout the series.

A Dynasty Warriors themed PSP protective pouch was also created by Koei in 2006.

See Also

Downloadable content for these games can be found in the DLC category.

External Links

Gallery

Dynasty Warriors
Main Titles Dynasty WarriorsDynasty Warriors 2Dynasty Warriors 3Dynasty Warriors 4Dynasty Warriors 5Dynasty Warriors 6Dynasty Warriors 7Dynasty Warriors 8Dynasty Warriors 9
Expansions Empires (4)Empires (5)Empires (6)Empires (7)Empires (8)Empires (9)Special (6)Special (7)Xtreme Legends (3)Xtreme Legends (4)Xtreme Legends (5)Xtreme Legends (7)Xtreme Legends (8)
Spin-Offs 100man-ninAdvanceApuriBlastBlazing BattlesDS: Fighter's BattleGodseekersMahjongNextOnlineOverlordsPSP PortPSP Port Vol. 2SLASHStrikeforceStrikeforce 2UnleashedVersus
Wei Characters
Cai WenjiCao CaoCao PiCao RenCao XiuDian WeiGuo JiaJia XuLi DianMan ChongPang DeWang YiXiahou DunXiahou YuanXu HuangXu ZhuXun YouXun YuYu JinYue JinZhang HeZhang LiaoZhenji
Wu Characters
Cheng PuDaqiaoDing FengGan NingHan DangHuang GaiLianshiLing TongLu MengLu SuLu XunSun CeSun JianSun QuanSun ShangxiangTaishi CiXiaoqiaoXu ShengZhou TaiZhou YuZhu Ran
Shu Characters
Bao SanniangFa ZhengGuan PingGuan SuoGuan XingGuan YinpingGuan YuHuang ZhongJiang WeiLiu BeiLiu ShanMa ChaoMa DaiPang TongWei YanXiahoujiXingcaiXu ShuYueyingZhang BaoZhang FeiZhao YunZhou CangZhuge Liang
Jin Characters
Deng AiGuo HuaiJia ChongSima ShiSima YiSima ZhaoWang YuanjiWen YangXiahou BaXin XianyingZhang ChunhuaZhong HuiZhuge Dan
Other Characters
Chen GongDiaochanDong BaiDong ZhuoHua XiongLu BuLu LingqiMeng HuoYuan ShaoYuan ShuZhang JiaoZhurongZuo Ci
Miscellaneous Characters
NPC Shu NPCsWei NPCsWu NPCsJin NPCsOther NPCsBodyguardsUnit TypesLixia
Playable Edit CharactersPhoenix, Dragon, ChimeraShin Sangoku Musou Blast OfficersBeauty YuFu XiKing MuLei BinNuwaSanzangSun WukongXi WangmuXiang Yu
Various Factions
Allied ForcesDong Zhuo's ForcesFive Bushel SectForces in XiliangGongsun Zan's ForcesHan DynastyHeishan BanditsLiu Biao's ForcesLiu Yao's ForcesLiu Zhang's ForcesLu Bu's ForcesNanmanTen EunuchsWuwanYellow TurbansYuan Shao's ForcesYuan Shu's Forces