Dynasty Warriors: Online (真・三國無双 Online) is a massively multiplayer online installment in the Dynasty Warriors series. The game was out for the public on November 2007 and it's currently only available in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. The game was released in Japan for the PS3 on February 18, 2010. Aeria Games began its closed beta for the North American version October 14, 2010 and made it available later the same year in November. Services for the North American version ended on January 10, 2014. The Japanese version is expected to shut down on February 24, 2022.
Online plays like its earlier predecessor, Dynasty Warriors BB, an online game that was discontinued on November 1, 2006. The main difference between the two is that Online requires slightly less demanding hardware specs than BB. Both games feature a quasi-RPG element in which the player can run around the world and chat with various characters. The graphics and battle mechanics for the game use Dynasty Warriors 5 as its base while the transition to Online Z updates the visuals to match those from Dynasty Warriors 7 and 8.
Kazuhiro Fujishige is the producer and Kenji Tanigaki is the opening movie director.
Gameplay
Players are allowed to create one character per account. Characters can be customized by their name, sex, figure, face type, hair type, voice, and standard colors. There are four different body types, eight different faces, ten hairstyles, seven voices for the men, and nine voices for the ladies. Colors can be chosen by a color picker. Once a character is created, they can choose which faction they wish to serve in the Dynasty Warriors universe. They may switch allegiance after their registration.
Each player is given a tutorial to complete from a general from the kingdom they wish to serve, which determines the age and intimacy level with their commander. Tweaking these stats will affect cutscenes and their familiarity with other officers. If they're seen favorably, they maybe addressed by name.
Levels are not set. Stats can be adjusted by the weapon and equipment that the character has equipped. Equipment is mainly the clothing that the character wears, which alters stats such as speed, power, and defense. Instead of levels players are given ranks that are gained by acquiring honor. Certain battle bonuses are unlocked with higher ranks such as the ability to equip better weapons and gear. With rank players can gain a cape which give a bonus depending on the area.
Most weapons in the game mimic the actions for the series' characters while adding minor changes or alterations. For example, equipping a giant pole axe will make the character fight like Xu Huang and a short sword will mimic Sun Quan's moveset. Original weapons for the online game are also included through certain updates. Alternately, players can chat with other players through text and animated emoticons or participate in Player vs Player (PvP) events.
Bodyguards, humans or animals such as a tiger or wolf can follow the player in battle. Bodyguards can gain levels and abilities and animals have a chance to gain a natural element each time they level. Players can use their flasks to upgrade a bodyguard to increase defense. Each bodyguard can have a maximum of two abilities. A fully upgraded bodyguard with abilities during a fully charged Musou can increase nearby ally stats and debuff enemies depending on their equipped skills.
Players can choose to participate in a story scenario with their army. Each scenario features several mini-battles that the player can either watch on a map or personally take part in. Based on the character's rank, at the end of a scenario they may be shown in a cutscene with their chosen general, often having that general displaying some affection or respect for the character for their own reason. Currently, the known story scenarios are as follows:
- Japanese Version
- Anti-Dong Zhuo Union (November 1, 2006 ~ November 25, 2007)
- Surrounding Lu Bu (November 28, 2007 ~ July 13, 2008)
- Battle of Guandu (July 15, 2008 ~ March 15, 2009)
- Battle of Chi Bi ~ Shisho Ranbu (March 17, 2009 ~November 2009)
- Unrest in Jing (November 2009 ~ November 2010)
- Diao Chan's Plot ~ Souten Ranbu (November 2010 ~ July 2011)
- Battle of Tong Gate (July 2011 ~ March 2012)
- Ryujin Ranbu (March 15, 2012 ~ July 17, 2013)
- Rise of the Sima Family (July 18, 2013 ~ March 20, 2014)
- Battle of Mt. Ding Jun (March 20, 2014 ~ July 17, 2014)
- Battle of Jing Province (July 17, 2014)
- English Version
- Unrest in Jing (Start of Beta ~ March 2011)
- Diao Chan's Plot ~ Heavenly Strike (March 2011 ~ November 2011)
- Battle of Tong Gate ~ Heavenly Strike (November 2011 ~ August 2012)
- Battle of Yi Ling ~ Dragon Strike (August 2012 ~ June 2012)
- Rise of the Little Conqueror ~ Dragon Strike (June 2012 ~ January 10, 2014)
Trophies
| Icon | Name | Unlock Method | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
True Musou | Obtained all trophies. | Platinum |
 |
Chaos Conquered | Defeated more than 2,500 enemies in campaign or arena battles. | Gold |
 |
Ace of the Arena | Win more than 500 arena battles. | Gold |
 |
Commander of Campaigns | Win more than 200 campaign battles. | Gold |
 |
Talented Official | Raise all five domestic skills to Level 50. | Gold |
 |
Transmutation Alchemist | Raise item mixing skill to Level 30. | Gold |
 |
Veteran's Medal | Attain the rank of 4th Elite General or higher. | Gold |
 |
Skilled in Weapon Craftsmanship | Craft more than 250 weapons. | Silver |
 |
Skilled in Cloth Craftsmanship | Craft more than 250 clothes. | Silver |
 |
Skilled in Item Craftsmanship | Craft more than 250 items. | Silver |
 |
Horse Trader | All eight lieutenants in command reach Level 40. | Silver |
 |
Champion of Campaigns | Win more than 100 campaign battles. | Silver |
 |
Campaign Winning Streak | Win 5 campaign battles in a row. | Silver |
 |
Martial Arts Victor | Win more than 50 mock battles. | Silver |
 |
Defeater of Many | Defeated more than 1,500 enemies in campaign or arena battles. | Silver |
 |
Worker | Raise all five domestic skills to Level 10. | Silver |
 |
Multi-Talented | Win more than 150 campaign and arena battles. | Silver |
 |
Weapon Mastery | Use a single weapon in 200 battles. | Silver |
 |
General's Mark | Attain the rank of Support General or higher. | Silver |
 |
Lieutenant Employer | Employ a lieutenant for the first time. | Bronze |
 |
Fallen Bases | Taken more than 10 bases. | Bronze |
 |
Melee General | Win more than 10 melee battles. | Bronze |
 |
Campaign General | Win more than 10 campaign battles. | Bronze |
 |
Arena General | Win more than 10 arena battles. | Bronze |
 |
Tutorial Graduate | Completed the game's tutorial course. | Bronze |
Related Media
The Souten Ranbu expansion was given a small tie in with the release of the movie series, Red Cliff, special outfits and scenarios are unlocked for both this game and the Romance of the Three Kingdoms MMO. These outfits and story bits are created as an homage to the film version of certain characters. More extras were unlocked when Part II was released in Japanese theaters on April 10, 2009. To celebrate the two franchises, a special interview with the film's director, John Woo, and Koei's Kou Shibusawa was posted on Online's website. Starting in July 2009 the game also staged a crossover event with the TV anime, Souten Kōro. Players could collect a scroll with the anime Cao Cao.
Channel α's ninth episode had the director for the Ryujin Ranbu update present for the show.
The game is currently holding a collaboration campaign with the DVD drama Sangokushi ~Chō Un Den~ starring Kenny Lin. Lasting until December 21, players can log in to obtain a hanging scroll featuring the cast of the show.
Image Songs
- Fuun Musouden
- Performed by Hironobu Kageyama
- * used for BB only
- Performed by Jay Chou
- * used for Online only
Gallery
-
Battle of Guandu visual
-
Battle of Chi Bi visual
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Unrest in Jing visual
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Souten Ranbu visual
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Tong Gate visual
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Ryujin Ranbu visual
-
5th Anniversary visual
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Online Z visual
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Kanyu Yakushin visual
-
1st Impact visual
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Jin VS Wu Showdown visual
-
Kishin Kōrin visual
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Wallpaper for BB
-
Web Money cards
-
Jay Chou visual
External Links
- Official English site
- Official Japanese site, PS3 site, Souten Ranbu site, Official Z Twitter
- Official Chinese site
- Official Taiwanese site
- Official Korean site
- Official Japanese PlayStation site
- Character blog messages
- Screenshot contest
- BB and Online Japanese wiki
- Online Image song music video - cosplay photo shoot
- Gameplay footage
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