Dynasty Warriors 5 is the fifth numbered title of the Dynasty Warriors series. Sporting the most amount of spin-offs to date, its character visuals and fighting mechanics are considered the most publicized among the other installments. Its Japanese catchphrase is "Turn your way of life into a weapon."
The Treasure Box version comes with an original soundtrack, a character design art book, several character cards, and a figurine of Lu Bu. For the Special variation, it eschews the figurine in favor of a digital figure CD and a special calendar.
Kenji Tanigaki is credited for directing the game's opening movie.
This is the first Dynasty Warriors title not to have an image song associated with it.
Gameplay
Preparations
Building on the success of Dynasty Warriors 4 and learning from its mistakes, this game introduces a number of changes and additions. For one, all characters can now carry up to five different items. Brand new items have been included with some enhancing the game's new features.
Orbs are now considered rare items that have to be found under certain conditions and no longer have power levels. However, they do not require a full Musou gauge to activate anymore, thereby greatly expanding their overall utility.
Weapons from the previous installment make a return, though the leveling system is replaced with four inventory slots used to hold different weaponry. Like in Dynasty Warriors 3, players are free to substitute their current arsenal with weapons that have superior stats. Fourth-tier weapons come with a full set of impressive stat bonuses and other perks. The jump stat has been omitted due to players not finding much use for it.
New to the game is a weight system that affects a weapon's damage output. Light weapons hit faster compared to other types, but inflict 25% less damage. Medium weapons offer average speed and power. Heavy weapons cause characters to attack more sluggishly, yet amplify damage by 25%. For better or worse, many characters have fourth weapons that fall under the light or heavy weight categories.
The bodyguard system has received a complete overhaul. Instead of deploying a group of identical soldiers for protection, the player is escorted by an elite bodyguard whose abilities are heavily influenced by their class, rank, parameters, elemental attributes, and so much more.
Mechanics
Several changes have been made to further refine the fighting mechanics of the game. Among these changes is the omission of the auto-lock feature, giving players more freedom to position their combos however they like. A majority of attacks that involve projectiles or shockwaves now generate Musou unlike in the prior title. Jumping no longer carries as much horizontal momentum as it used to, though somersault recoveries remain unchanged. Parrying can now be done without the camera positioning behind the player if both L1 and 
are pressed at the exact same time. That being said, parry animations are now slower to make them more punishable.
For better or worse, the following charge attack inputs below have been modified greatly for this title.
: Characters that used this button input for unblockable grabs in the fourth title now have the ability to produce sudden short-ranged shockwaves instead. Although these shockwaves are useful for interrupting nearby foes, some players who prefer guard-breaking moves may consider it nerfed. For officers who made use of energy projectiles from the previous game, they instead launch hovering elemental spheres that explode after a few seconds. The elemental attributes of these spheres vary between different characters and cannot be modified by orbs.
: Not much has changed about this combo input, though the only difference is that it cannot be imbued with orbs.- : Instead of assailing foes with a two-hit combo from the ground and into the air, characters can immediately send targets airborne with launching attacks known as Charge Shoots. The graphics for launchers are personalized for each officer and some can even bypass the enemy's guard if positioned correctly.
- : With the exception of a select few, officers that used this button input for projectile attacks in the fourth game are unable to do so like before. Instead, these attacks have been reduced into short-ranged direct strikes while a good number of them had their projectiles reassigned to their jump charges.
: No longer a standard stomping maneuver that altered the camera angle upon execution, jump charges are more varied in terms of utility with some possessing combo potential via repeated tapping of .
Other charge attacks used by certain characters have been adjusted or replaced entirely for balancing purposes.
Taking cues from Samurai Warriors, it is now possible for characters to extend their normal attacks beyond the usual six hits via Evolution Attacks. Adding four more hits to the combo, they can be performed if the player has a full Musou gauge while wielding a weapon marked with a blue swirl. When performing their Evolution Attacks, some characters merely reprise portions of their full hit string while others automatically perform their fourth charge animations.
True Musou Attacks now have new finishers that inflict massive damage at a considerable range. They serve to make some characters more viable for competitive players. Double Musou Attacks may also be performed if accompanied by a bodyguard.
If the player manages to pick up a Musou Token, they can undergo Musou Rage by tapping R3. In this state, the character greatly benefits from stronger damage output, heightened durability, and faster hit speed. They can also perform True Musou Attacks regardless of health. Musou Tokens can be found in boxes, dropped by enemies, or automatically gained by racking up 100 KOs using fourth weapons. Particularly strong enemy officers will also use Musou Rage to empower themselves, so caution is highly advised when dealing with them.
The offensive and defensive stats for archery and horsemanship have been merged together for this title, though normal attack and defense parameters are still categorized separately.
To make riding mounts easier, faint white circles appear whenever the player properly approaches a horse or elephant, indicating that they can be taken for a ride.
A majority of characters have been given new victory animations with the camera angles changing in unique ways for each one.
Battle
For this title, the game engine has been greatly improved upon, enabling distant backgrounds to be seen more clearly while expanding the number of units made visible on screen. Frame rates have improved and battlefield terrains are more diverse. Co-op play is more manageable, but the loss of Versus Mode limits entertainment between two players.
Difficulty settings can now be selected upon choosing a character's story in Musou Mode or a stage in Free Mode. They include Easy, Normal, Hard, and Chaos. While the AI behavior for Chaos is more or less similar to that of Hard, enemies' can ignore the player's defense stat with their attacks and healing items are very scarce. The amount of intermission saves a player has depends on the difficulty level chosen; Easy offers unlimited saves, Normal imposes a limit of three, Hard only provides one, and Chaos forbids it entirely.
Enemy peons are able to catch players off-guard with joint attacks, though the nature of their assaults vary depending on weapon type. Spearmen will unleash coordinated charge attacks together while pikemen will jump in tandem to overwhelm targets.
Although enemy officers no longer recharge health on occasion, they can still buff themselves in various ways depending on their roles in specific battles. If an officer assumes a guarding stance while surrounded by a red aura, it indicates that they are preparing a Musou Attack and cannot be interrupted from unleashing it. This gives players time to run for cover or block if necessary. Unlike in past titles, introduction cutscenes are now limited to select officers and commanders who have prominence in certain stages. Enemy commanders in particular have the privilege of being given scenes of them retreating or dying.
Dispersing enemy crowds no longer results in collateral damage for allies and enemies alike if any form of inadvertent knockback is involved. However, bomb attacks can still damage nearby individuals if they happen to be caught within the blast radius.
The game introduces actual tigers as units. Usually encountered in Nanzhong, they inflict a lot of damage on trespassers and cannot be slain. Players can also tame tigers and have them act as additional bodyguards provided they equip the right item.
Health gauges for particularly strong AI-controlled units now come in two layers, something that later installments would retain.
Carried over from Samurai Warriors is the ability to take over entry points by slaying gate captains, enabling the player to better control areas for their side. In some cases, being able to cut off the flow of enemy troops while increasing the amount of allied soldiers present may prove to be invaluable especially in large-scale battles.
Archer towers now collapse more realistically by falling over certain positions depending on which leg support has been destroyed. Any units near its collapse will sustain heavy damage, though the effects are not truly fatal.
Bases from Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires have been brought back albeit in more diversified forms. Now categorized as either attack, defense, or supply bases, they each have their own traits and impact on the battlefield. Attack bases, represented as triangles, are equipped with ranged artillery like catapults or arbalests, making their downfall a top priority. They also contain dual-wielding swordsmen who fight aggressively and often unleash joint Musou Attacks together. Defense bases, marked as squares, have the most amount of fortifications, are often located in important chokepoints, and happen to be heavily guarded by shield-bearing troops. Supply bases, symbolized as circles, provide units with random stat buffs and morale boosts while harboring recovery items within jars. The latter two bases will immediately close up if approached by opposing units. Inside them are ramps that players can make use of to escape in case they get trapped.
Taking down a base's guard captains will cause it to cease functioning, resulting in corresponding bases stalling briefly and lowering enemy morale. AI-controlled allies may sometimes set a base on fire, though the chances of this happening is random. There are times when players will encounter neutral bases; it is highly recommended to take them first before the enemy does. Some battle maps have bases that remain fixed while others are filled with randomly generated base types.
In contrast to the fourth game's more ethnic-sounding music, the soundtrack for Dynasty Warriors 5 is heavily inspired by the third title with select tracks being remixes of past music.
Modes
Musou Mode
Replaces the last game's kingdom-based scenarios with individual stories for each officer. Battles are interspersed with interludes narrated by the character, depicting their own thoughts and perspectives. Difficulty level progressively scales with each stage cleared.
Free Mode
Functions the same like in the last game, though stages are now organized in chronological order.
Challenge Mode
Functions the same like in the last game, though only two previous challenges have been brought back. While the assortment of enemy officers changes per cycle, Lu Bu will always make an appearance.
- Time Attack (神速; Godspeed) - Quickly defeat all one hundred enemies within Luo Castle. Foes often come in groups of 5 or 10, so being able to take them out with minimal moves is essential.
- Rampage (暴風; Storm) - Eliminate as many enemies as possible before being defeated or when time runs out. Should Lu Bu be defeated, he will drop a Musou Token while causing previously-defeated foes to return. The challenge itself takes place within the confines of Nan An Fortress at Tian Shui.
- Sudden Death (生還; Survival) - Within the northern forest of Mian Zhu at Cheng Du, the player must defeat as many enemies as possible without being struck by an attack once. Any form of injury will result in an instant KO for both players and foes. A time limit is also imposed, adding more pressure along the way. As the player defeats more enemies, indirect attackers like archers and sorcerers will start appearing.
- Bridge Melee (流星; Meteor) - Within a special castle layout surrounded by a deep pit, knock off as many enemy troops as possible while avoiding being defeated or thrown off balance. Because it is impossible to replenish the Musou gauge with attacks in this trial, players may opt to risk fighting in critical condition in order to perform Musou Attacks at a consistent rate.
Camp
Showcases characters, weapons, items, and bodyguards obtained so far.
Encyclopedia
Focuses on listing down biography summaries for each officer. A timeline section is also available.
Options
- Settings - Keeps event messages on or off during battles.
- Controls - Changes button configuration according to the player's needs.
- Vibration - Turns on analog controller vibration.
- Bow Control - Sets targeting method of bow aiming to either normal or reverse.
- Setup - Reassigns buttons on the game controller.
- Sound - Adjusts music and sound effects.
- Speaker - Sets the speaker output through four different settings: Dolby Digital Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic II, Stereo, and Mono.
- BGM Volume - Adjusts music volume level from 1 to 16.
- SE Volume - Adjusts sound volume level from 1 to 16.
- Sound Test - Allows the player to play different music tracks.
- Screen Adjust - Adjusts the screen position using the directional buttons. Can be reverted back to its original state by tapping the Start button.
- Save/Load - Allows the player to save their progress or load an old saved file.
- Movies - Watch movies unlocked in Musou Mode.
Characters
Starter characters are bolded while new officers have a star right next to them.
Items
Gameplay
Miscellaneous
Achievements
| Icon | Name | Xbox Points |
|---|---|---|
 |
Zhao Yun's Story Cleared | 20 |
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Guan Yu's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhang Fei's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhuge Liang's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Liu Bei's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Ma Chao's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Huang Zhong's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Jiang Wei's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Wei Yan's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Pang Tong's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Yue Ying's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Guan Ping's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Xing Cai's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Xiahou Dun's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Dian Wei's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Xu Zhu's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Cao Cao's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Xiahou Yuan's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhang Liao's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Sima Yi's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Xu Huang's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhang He's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhen Ji's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Cao Ren's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Cao Pi's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Pang De's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhou Yu's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Lu Xun's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Taishi Ci's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Sun Shang Xiang's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Sun Jian's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Sun Quan's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Lu Meng's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Gan Ning's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Huang Gai's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Sun Ce's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Da Qiao's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Xiao Qiao's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhou Tai's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Ling Tong's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Diao Chan's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Lu Bu's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Dong Zhuo's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Yuan Shao's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhang Jiao's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Meng Huo's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zhu Rong's Story Cleared | 20 |
 |
Zuo Ci's Story Cleared | 60 |
Expansions and Spin-Offs
Expansions
- Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends
- Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires
- Dynasty Warriors 5 Special - Xbox 360 and PC version of the game that includes content from Xtreme Legends (excluding Edit Mode and Destiny Mode). Features higher resolution graphics and includes both the Japanese and English audio tracks. Exclusive to East Asian regions. A compatibility check program is also available for PC users.
Spin-Offs
- Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2
- Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle
- Jan Sangoku Musou
- Dynasty Warriors: Online
- Warriors Orochi
- Warriors Orochi 2
- Pachislot Shin Sangoku Musou
- CR Shin Sangoku Musou
- CR Shin Sangoku Musou Moushouden
Related Media
Koei's mobile site provided customers with various features for their cellphones. These included hundreds of wallpapers, various ringtones, a photo frame with Lu Bu and Diao Chan, image puzzles, and a clock app.
The company published a trading card game inspired by this installment on July 29, 2005. It had over 266 different cards which included 36 commanders, 160 generals, 35 strategies, 15 traps, and 20 items. Original designs for the various NPC officers were illustrated by Hiroyuki Suwahara. The starter box which held a total of 53 cards costed at least ¥1500 yen whereas booster packs carrying 10 cards had a price value of ¥280. Each of the Three Kingdoms factions received their own starter set.
Meister Japan produced mini replicas of the game's weapons. Twelve weapon models had been packaged into separate sets alongside one secret item. The first volume replicates the arsenals of Guan Yu, Liu Bei, Xiahou Dun, Dian Wei, Xu Zhu, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Huang Gai, Diao Chan, Lu Bu, Dong Zhuo, and Zhang Jiao. The second volume features armaments used by Zhao Yun, Zhuge Liang, Yue Ying, Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He, Zhen Ji, Zhou Yu, Taishi Ci, Sun Ce, Da Qiao, Yuan Shao, and Zuo Ci. The third volume contains weapons wielded by Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Guan Ping, Xing Cai, Zhang Liao, Sima Yi, Xu Huang, Cao Pi, Lu Xun, Sun Shang Xiang, Gan Ning, and Zhou Tai.
The eight-volume fan book publication, Musou Fan Field, provided information for this game alongside Samurai Warriors and its then upcoming sequel. It included exclusive illustrations, sneak peaks to new features in the games and their expansions, dream match novelizations or coverage between two factions, and a showcase of letters and fans from both franchises. Voice actor commentary, several comics, and other editorials answering questions to fans were also included. Three compilations of novels based on the Three Kingdoms era were also published under the label, Musou Fan Field Novels.
- Musou Fan Field Vol. 1 - Covers early information on Dynasty Warriors 5 right before its release.
- Musou Fan Field Vol. 2 - Provides more information on the fifth game.
- Musou Fan Field Vol. 3 - Provides more information on the fifth game.
- Musou Fan Field Vol. 4 - This particular issue has a segment on Shu.
- Musou Fan Field Vol. 5 - Reveals new cutscenes from Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends as well as voice actor commentary.
- Musou Fan Field Vol. 6 - Provides more information on the fifth game's expansion as well as voice actor commentary.
- Musou Fan Field Vol. 7 - Contains a guide on the various factions featured in the game.
- Musou Fan Field Vol. 8 - Covers information on Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires.
- Sangokushi Ryuu yo, Souten ni Mae - An anthology of short stories featuring Guan Yinping, Chen Gong, Sun Jian, Jiang Wei, Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Lu Meng.
- Sangokushi Oudo no Shishi-tachi - An anthology of short stories featuring Zhang Fei's daughter, Sun Shang Xiang, Sima Yi, Sun Jian, Guan Yu, Xu Shu, and Cao Cao.
- Sangokushi Kirin yo, Fuu'un wo Kake yo - An anthology of short stories featuring Bao Sanniang, Jia Xu, Sun Jian, Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Zhao Yun.
The company also officially funded other publications for fans to make use of or enjoy.
- Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Complete Guide Vol. 1 - Contains relevant information on character movesets, stat mechanics, and stage information.
- Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Complete Guide Vol. 2 - Contains relevant information on all battle layouts, descriptions of character events, detailed information on unique weapons, and the location of rare items.
- Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Character Compendium - A book filled with tons of information on every officer that appeared in Dynasty Warriors 5 and its expansions.
- Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Official Setting Materials Collection - Contains character concepts, origins of weapon names, and motif designs for each faction.
- Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Scenario Collection - This scenario book is filled with every character line found in the game and its Xtreme Legends expansion.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 1 - A collection of four panel parody comics created and illustrated by 17 artists.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 2 - Serves as a continuation for the prior volume.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 3 - Serves as a continuation for the prior volume.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 4 - Serves as a continuation for the prior volume.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 5 - Includes new stories inspired by Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 6 - Serves as a continuation for the prior volume.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 7 - Serves as a continuation for the prior volume.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 8 - Serves as a continuation for the prior volume.
- Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 4 Wonder Evolution Vol. 9 - Includes new stories inspired by Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires.
Prima Games published their own strategy guide for English-speaking gamers.
Bugs and Glitches
Stage Boundary Exit
This is essentially the same boundary-crossing glitch from the previous installment and its expansions. To accomplish this, one must move themselves towards an entry point by strafing sideways on horseback. Upon reaching the edge of the gate, the player must continuously run close to the gate with the no entry sign in display before saving the game and quitting. If done right, the mounted character will then appear on the other side of the entry point, allowing them to bypass certain mountains when out of bounds. However, this does not work on all entry points. The glitch is harder to pull off in the Xbox version due to the move pad being limited to eight directions.
Rain at Guan Du
By using the aforementioned glitch at the most northeastern entry point, it is possible to come across rain effects past the entry point. The out-of-bounds rain seems to only exist at Guan Du, and is likely a programming asset placed there unknowingly.
Trivia
- During Cao Cao's ending scene, Xu Zhu can be seen wearing his Dynasty Warriors 4 default outfit.
- A majority of weapons with green-colored shafts from the prior installment are rendered blue in this game.
- Character costumes from the prior installment are slightly discolored due to a texture error. The Xtreme Legends expansion fixes this.
- Entry points used by peons are once again rendered as empty exits rather than alcoves like in the previous game.
- A specific fighting scene in The Restless caused quite a stir with moviegoers, with many claiming it copied too many actions from this game's intro sequence. Though the director denied the accusations, it was a somewhat popular topic for its time.
- Ma Chao's unique encounter intro at Tong Gate is eventually reused as the animation for the dragon spear's sixth charge attack in Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends onwards.
Gallery
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Japanese cover
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Back cover
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Treasure Box cover
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Super Premium Box cover
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Special cover
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March 11, 2005 Weekly Famitsu issue cover
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English ad flyer
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English ad flyer 2
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English ad flyer 3
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Wallpaper 1
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Wallpaper 2
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External Links
- Official North American Website (English)
- Official Japanese Website (Japanese)
- Official Korean Website (Korean)
- Official Taiwanese Website (Traditional Chinese)
- Special Japanese Website (Japanese)
- Special Taiwanese Website (Traditional Chinese)
- Trading Card Game Official Website (Japanese)
- Official PlayStation Page (Japanese)
- PlayStation 2 Archives Page (Japanese)
- Official Game Manual (English)
- Kongming Informational Website (English)
- Pachislot Promotional Trailer (Japanese)
- StrategyWiki Page (English)
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