Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Dynasty Warriors 3 refines the signature hack-and-slash formula that made its predecessors stand out, placing you in the thick of massive battles inspired by the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. You’ll pick from over 40 unique characters—each tied to Wei, Wu, Shu, or one of the lesser forces—and experience distinct weapon styles and special magic attacks. From fast, sweeping polearms to heavy two-handed swords and devastating fire magic, each hero feels different, encouraging multiple playthroughs.

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Combat revolves around clearing out hordes of enemy soldiers while targeting officers and strategic points on the battlefield. Enemy foot soldiers flood the screen in waves, creating an exhilarating “bloodthirsty demon” atmosphere as you chain Musou attacks to mow down dozens at once. Level objectives vary from defeating enemy generals to capturing strongholds, and many scenarios include hidden tasks—such as escorting NPCs or eliminating specific targets—that unlock the game’s most powerful weapons.

Character progression is handled through stat-boosting items dropped by defeated officers and random weapon finds in treasure boxes. You can revisit cleared stages in Free Mode with any unlocked character, making it easy to farm for rare gear or test new playstyles. Additionally, points earned in battle contribute to your bodyguard roster, allowing you to level up your personal retinue and customize your support troops for tougher challenges.

Graphics

On PlayStation 2, Dynasty Warriors 3 delivers sprawling battlefields that, while occasionally repetitive, convey a genuine sense of scale. Soldier AI populates these environments in large numbers, creating the look (and clamor) of clashing armies. Character models are sharply defined for their time, with bright armor details and fluid movements during combos and special attacks.

Environmental variety spans lush river valleys, dusty desert passes, and grand palace courtyards. Although textures can become blurry at a distance and some repetitive tile sets appear across stages, the overall art direction remains faithful to the Three Kingdoms era. Weather effects—like swirling sandstorms or autumn leaves—add a nice atmospheric touch, and the game maintains a steady frame rate even during large on-screen melees.

Cutscenes use pre-rendered footage to recapture pivotal moments from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, blending static illustrations with cinematic camera pans. While not on par with modern HD graphics, these sequences add drama to important battles and provide context for your next objective. Menu and encyclopedia screens are cleanly designed, offering easy navigation through character bios and historical entries.

Story

Dynasty Warriors 3 spans 50 years of Chinese history, beginning with the Yellow Turban Rebellion and culminating in the showdown between Wei and Shu at Wu Zhong. Each faction’s campaign unfolds a series of battles that loosely follow the epic account of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, although narrative details are often relegated to brief mission intros and post-battle recaps.

While there’s no fully voiced drama, text-based dialogue provides enough context to understand why each warrior fights. You’ll discover the rivalry between Cao Cao’s ambition, Sun Jian’s hegemony, and Liu Bei’s quest for righteousness through mission objectives that reference historical events and legendary feats. Unlocking the in-game encyclopedia offers deeper lore, listing dozens of characters, battle locations, and key turning points from the original novel.

Storytelling here is functional rather than cinematic. Fans of hardcore strategy or plot-driven RPGs might find it light on character development, but the sheer scale of reenacting classical battles will satisfy players looking to enact their own version of history. The focus remains squarely on heroic combat and strategic objectives, encouraging you to play through multiple perspectives to piece together the larger narrative.

Overall Experience

Dynasty Warriors 3 stands as a defining entry in the series, balancing addictive hack-and-slash action with a generous roster of heroes and replayable content. Its simple yet rewarding weapon upgrade system and hidden objectives keep veterans engaged long after the initial playthrough. The addition of Free Mode and character-specific secret missions ensures a wealth of unlockables for completionists.

Though the graphics show their age and the story can feel sparse between battles, the game’s core loop remains compelling: charge into battle, unleash Musou attacks, and turn the tide for your chosen leader. Multiplayer co-op allows a friend to join in the chaos, further extending the fun and chaos of conquering enemy lines together.

For fans of large-scale medieval warfare and the Romance of the Three Kingdoms lore, Dynasty Warriors 3 offers hours of frenetic action and strategic mayhem. Whether you’re aiming to master every character’s weapon style or simply enjoy slicing through waves of foes, this title delivers a historic spectacle that defined a genre and still holds up as a classic in its own right.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10