Hey guys! If you're anything like me, you're a huge fan of Dynasty Warriors and its awesome Empires spin-offs. These games let you not just hack-and-slash through hordes of enemies, but also build your own kingdom, forge alliances, and experience the drama of ancient China in a totally unique way. But with so many Empires titles out there, it can be tough to figure out which one is the absolute best. Well, fear not! I've played them all (probably way too much, haha), and I'm here to give you my definitive ranking of the best Dynasty Warriors Empires game. Let's dive in!

What Makes a Great Dynasty Warriors Empires Game?

Before we get to the ranking, let's quickly break down what makes a Dynasty Warriors Empires game truly shine. It's not just about the battles (though those are important, of course!). A top-tier Empires game needs a few key ingredients:

• Deep Strategy: The strategic layer has to be engaging. Are the political decisions meaningful? Can you effectively manage your resources and territories? A shallow strategy layer can make the whole experience feel repetitive.
• Meaningful Character Interactions: The relationships you build with other officers are crucial. Can you recruit talented warriors? Do your choices affect their loyalty and development? The best games make you care about the people in your kingdom.
• Robust Customization: The ability to create your own characters, edit scenarios, and tailor the experience to your liking is a huge plus. Customization adds replayability and allows you to truly make the game your own.
• Engaging Scenarios: Are the scenarios interesting and varied? Do they offer unique challenges and opportunities? A good Empires game keeps you coming back for more with fresh scenarios.
• Polished Gameplay: Obviously, the core Dynasty Warriors gameplay needs to be solid. Smooth combat, satisfying Musou attacks, and a decent variety of characters are essential.

With those criteria in mind, let's get to the ranking!

My Top Pick: Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires

Alright, guys, let's get straight to it. In my opinion, Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires is the king of the hill. It takes everything that makes the Empires formula great and polishes it to near perfection. This game nails the strategic depth, character interactions, customization options, and engaging scenarios that I look for in this franchise.

Strategic Depth

The strategic map in DW8E feels alive. You're constantly juggling multiple factors: resource management, officer recruitment, technological development, and of course, military campaigns. The policies you enact have a tangible impact on your kingdom, and you really feel like you're shaping the destiny of your faction. I love how you can invest in different areas like agriculture, commerce, and military to give yourself an edge.

Character Interactions

The character interactions are top-notch. Building relationships with officers feels rewarding, and the game does a great job of making you care about your subordinates. You can form bonds through battles, events, and even by assigning them specific tasks. Plus, the marriage system adds another layer of depth to the relationships. Seeing your officers get married and have children who inherit their stats and abilities is super cool.

Robust Customization

The customization options are insane. You can create your own officers from scratch, designing their appearance, personality, and even their unique Musou attacks. The scenario editor is also incredibly powerful, allowing you to tweak existing scenarios or create entirely new ones with custom characters, events, and objectives. I've spent countless hours just messing around with the customization features.

Engaging Scenarios

Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires features a wide variety of scenarios based on different periods of the Three Kingdoms era. Each scenario presents unique challenges and opportunities, forcing you to adapt your strategy and make tough decisions. Whether you're trying to unite China as Cao Cao or carve out your own empire as a custom character, there's always something interesting to do.

Polished Gameplay

Of course, the core Dynasty Warriors gameplay is as solid as ever. The combat is smooth and satisfying, and there's a huge roster of characters to choose from, each with their own unique weapons and movesets. The Musou attacks are flashy and devastating, and the addition of the Rage system adds another layer of depth to the combat.

Overall, Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires is the complete package. It's a strategic masterpiece with engaging character interactions, robust customization options, and polished gameplay. If you're looking for the best Dynasty Warriors Empires experience, this is the game to get.

Runner-Up: Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires

Coming in at a close second is Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires. This game laid the foundation for many of the features that made DW8E so great. While it might not be as polished or feature-rich as its successor, DW7E is still a fantastic game in its own right. It has a certain charm and simplicity that I really appreciate.

Strategic Depth

The strategic layer in DW7E is a bit simpler than in DW8E, but it's still engaging. You'll need to manage your resources, recruit officers, and expand your territory through conquest. The policies you can enact are less impactful than in DW8E, but they still play a role in shaping your kingdom. I like how the game emphasizes the importance of having a strong economy to support your military campaigns.

Character Interactions

The character interactions in DW7E are well-done. Building relationships with officers is crucial for success, and the game does a good job of making you care about your subordinates. You can form bonds through battles and events, and the marriage system adds a nice touch. Seeing your officers get married and have children is always fun.

Robust Customization

The customization options in DW7E are decent, but not as extensive as in DW8E. You can create your own officers, but the options are a bit more limited. The scenario editor is also less powerful, but it still allows you to tweak existing scenarios and create new ones. I appreciate the ability to customize the appearance and personality of my officers.

Engaging Scenarios

Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires features a good variety of scenarios based on different periods of the Three Kingdoms era. Each scenario presents unique challenges and opportunities, forcing you to adapt your strategy and make tough decisions. Whether you're trying to conquer China as Liu Bei or unite the land as a custom character, there's always something interesting to do.

Polished Gameplay

The core Dynasty Warriors gameplay in DW7E is solid. The combat is smooth and satisfying, and there's a decent roster of characters to choose from. The Musou attacks are flashy and effective, and the addition of the switch weapon system adds some variety to the combat. The gameplay is a lot more fast paced and arcade feeling than later titles.

Overall, Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires is a great game that's only slightly overshadowed by its successor. It's a solid strategic experience with engaging character interactions, decent customization options, and polished gameplay. If you're a fan of the Empires series, this is definitely one to check out.

Other Notable Empires Games

While Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires and Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires are my top two picks, there are a few other Empires games that are worth mentioning:

• Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires: This game tried to shake things up with an open-world map, but it didn't quite land. The strategy layer is decent, but the open world feels empty and lifeless. It did introduce some interesting siege mechanics which could make a return in later titles.
• Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires: This game has a unique charm and a simple, streamlined approach to the Empires formula. It's not as deep or feature-rich as later games, but it can be fun for a quick and easy strategy experience. This game is also the only title to include a full english dub which can be nostalgic.
• Samurai Warriors Empires Series: While I focused on Dynasty Warriors in this article, the Samurai Warriors Empires games are also excellent. They offer a similar strategic experience set in feudal Japan. If you're a fan of both series, definitely give them a try.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – my definitive ranking of the best Dynasty Warriors Empires game! While opinions may vary, I firmly believe that Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires is the pinnacle of the series. It offers the perfect blend of strategic depth, engaging character interactions, robust customization, and polished gameplay. However, Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires is also a fantastic game that's well worth playing. No matter which game you choose, you're sure to have a blast building your own empire and conquering ancient China!

What do you guys think? Do you agree with my ranking? Let me know in the comments below! I'm always up for a good Dynasty Warriors discussion. And who knows, maybe we'll even see a new Empires game in the future! One can hope, right?