Hyrule Warriors

[Skyblade]

It's only since this game was shown that I've heard about things like map control, army balance, and boss fights. There are definitely some interesting mechanics there, and I can see how managing your tactics and choosing your fights with your OP playable character could be a compelling gameplay experience, as well as bringing some tactical thought to the combat itself with boss fights.

In short, I've learned more about Dynasty Warriors since E3 than I had the entire rest of my life, and what I've learned has me interested.

Plus the game just looks so pretty.

As a Dynasty Warriors veteran, I can confidently say that Koei has really upped it's game with the latest installments of their flagship series. Warriors Orochi 3 and Dynasty Warriors 8 vastly improved upon their predecessors. In the past, repetitiveness has been a major criticism of the series but WO3 and DW8 introduced a few new gameplay elements, stages, characters and modes and it's made a huge difference.

But I wouldn't get too excited about map control, army balance, tactical gameplay. If this game turns out to be anything like Dynasty Warriors, it'll be a mindless hack and slash that requires no real effort or skill (on Normal and Hard modes at least, Chaos is another story).

But it will look pretty. And you'll get 1000s of kills and that's always hugely satisfying.

I've been watching GameXplain's stream of the Japanese version of the game (no spoilers so far except for the already known basic plot info, unless you understand Japanese).

Their streamer is also a Dynasty Warriors veteran, though he apparently hasn't played the newer titles in the series. He did comment on needing greater tactical thought with regards to map control, and he did lose a battle due to the enemy capturing his main base while he was busy fighting elsewhere. So it does seem to be there to a degree, even on Normal Mode.

This also appears to be where some of the exploration comes in. The Gold Skulltulas appear to be designed a little less upon finding them (since you get a notice on the map to their general location when they appear), and a little more on forcing you to overextend or head to areas you might otherwise avoid, leaving areas that are under attack unprotected. Heart Pieces seem to be similar, as a couple were found by bypassing boss foes and capturing bases instead of proceeding with the most obvious path of action.

The game is looking to be a blast, though, and I am very much looking forward to playing it.