The Dynasty Warriors developer cares about those invested in wading through dead-eyed armies, arranged like so much human kelp, their only legacy to contribute to the haphazard rhythm of our K.O. tickers. I know this because a horse performs a full, aerial barrel roll in this game's opening FMV.

It's Dynasty Warriors; and that's great; A power fantasy par excellence; Rock-paper-scissors combat encourages variety; It's great; what that horse does

It's Dynasty Warriors; and that's meh; Still a bit shonky with the pop-in

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" would apply beautifully to Tecmo-Koei's Dynasty Warriors 8 , but developer Omega Force always has to improve something with each sequel. In the latest version of Tecmo-Koei's historical hack-and-slash marathon, there's a host of new features and play modes.

Combat better than ever; with more tactical depth; Ambition mode offers huge amounts of content; New Rampage special attacks are brilliantly satisfying

Lots of running around; Stage maps confusing at first; Slowdown can be particularly awful

I first discovered the Dynasty Warriors franchise through Dynasty Warriors 4 . It was one of my first imported games from America (I had an imported PS2 because I wanted to play Suikoden III at the time), and I was in love with the open-scale battlefield and the amount of soldiers you could hack...

I've served eight generations of Dynasty Warriors games. Each one has been a melodic button mashing sensation that's easy to lose the greater part of a week to. I was lucky enough to meet Akihiro Suzuki and it was an absolute pleasure.

This Dynasty Warriors game was a great step up form the previous ones (6 & 7). You can play as all 3 armies Wei, WU and SHU whilst also being able to play JIN. You play through the storyline and depending on decisions made you can unlock alternate endings.

awesome game, a big improvement in some areas a little underplayed in others but still fun the shu campaign is especially good.

While Dynasty Warriors 8 is still primarily the same ol' Dynasty Warriors experience, I certainly feel that its changes, although mostly quite subtle, stand out enough comparative to the repetition of other entries in the series.

+ Much needed added combat depth; + Four campaigns; 20 hours; + Neat combos; skills; abilities and weapons

- Final campaigns fall back into repetitive jar

If you like the DW series this is the best one by far.

Dynasty Warriors 8 is the most satisfying and complete Warriors game yet, dethroning the excellent Warriors Orochi 3. It's at once familiar and fresh, instantly recognisable at its core yet subtly transformed by intelligent additions and a series of small but noticeable tweaks.

Terrific new combat mechanics; Compelling Ambition mode; New weapons and characters

Repetitive battle cries; Occasional slowdown

China's legendary warlords take to the battlefield once more for some high-octane button bashing action.

Colossal amount of content; Hugely entertaining multiplayer; Powerful new combat abilities

Buggy Xbox 360 version; No significant innovation; Expect blisters