Dynasty Warriors 3 Xtreme Legends was the first expansion to Koei’s Dynasty Warriors series. The game had several new features, like new 5th weapons, items, Challenge modes and Very Hard difficulty. However, the biggest improvement was the Musou mode for Others characters (with the exception of Fu Xi and Nu Wa), this feature was even carried over to next Dynasty Warriors games.
The Musou modes are done well in DW3XL. Each character has got their own story and stages. Characters like Lu Bu, Diao Chan and Dong Zhuo who are on the same force, are still different from each other pretty much, because the Musou modes this time are full of twists and turns. Stages have also been changed. The models are same, but events, scenery and forces are not. You might remember from DW3 how Battle of He Fei was between Wu and Wei. Well, this time you get to play stage with Yuan Shao, Nanmans and Dong Zhuo, who go against Wu. So Wei is not included to that battle this time. If you played He Fei in DW3 already, don’t expect it to be same in DW3XL and same goes for the rest of the stages.
Game also features plenty of new CG scenes, which are unlocked by playing the Musou mode of Others characters.
In Dynasty Warriors 3 Xtreme Legends, new 5th weapons and rare items were introduced first time. The 5th weapons are only unlocked by playing specific stage with character, fulfilling the special requirements and with Very Hard difficulty. Like the name says, they are very hard to get and you have to do much work in order to obtain them. Rare items are obtained like 5th weapons, except difficulty doesn’t matter.
Bodyguard system got big improvement. This time you can create your own unit. You are able to name 8 of them, choose more commands for them, choose the colour, how their stats grow and even choose weapon and item for them. But because they only level up when they survive at the end of the stage, levelling up can be hard because they die really easily on weaker levels. If you don’t like from 8 bodyguards system, you can also choose Warrior bodyguard, meaning one of the playable character, like Lu Bu. By using Warrior bodyguard, you have one strong bodyguard to support you during fight and you are able to perform Double-Musou with him/her after every 100 KO.
Game also contains four new challenge modes, which give you something extra to do in game:
- Speed Demon, where the goal is to reach the finish line as fast as possible
- Combo Mania tests how much combo points you can get in given time
- Balancing Act, where you try to knock off your opponents from the bridge
- Ironman is the combination of all three above
So far, you are perhaps thinking that DW3XL is really good game and it’s worth of your money. Well, unfortunately, the game itself isn’t. Without the original DW3, you only get to play 7 Musou modes and you cannot play the Musou mode with Shu, Wu and Wei characters. You also miss the original stages and you cannot get 4th weapons, rare items from DW3 and 5th weapons are only available with Others characters. Overall, you are going to miss plenty of stuff.
If you own DW3, you’re looking more challenge and you always wanted to play Musou mode with Others characters, then this game isn’t a let down for you. Without DW3, this game just isn’t worth it. |
