Gamefings logoimg

Review of Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires on Nintendo Switch

by Hemal Harris Hemal Harris photo Feb 2022
Cover image of Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires on Switch
Gamefings Score: 7.5
Platform: Switch Switch logo
Released: 15 Feb 2022
Genre: Hack and Slash, Strategy
Developer: Omega Force
Publisher: Koei Tecmo

Introduction

Ah, Dynasty Warriors-the game that invites you to be a one-person army, where hack and slash become your love language and crowds of enemies are just opportunities for more combos. In this installment, 'Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires', the series ditches some of its previous norms and delves into strategy as much as frenetic sword-swinging action. Want to know how we took down enemy castles while figuring out where the heck all those little wooden platforms are coming from? Buckle in, because we're diving deep into the war-torn chaos that is Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires on the Nintendo Switch!

Gameplay

Imagine running around China like googly-eyed warriors, hacking at the nearest enemy with all the elegance of a sloth with a sword. While combat is key here, the game introduces new mechanics that will challenge even seasoned Warriors fans. The Flow Attacks and Trigger Attacks are like dance moves-one wrong step and you're just flailing around like a drunken ninja. You start out with a light attack combo, increase your style points, and voila! You're the next big thing in enemy moveshafts. You'll soon find yourself juggling between triggering attacks, counterattacking, and using the oh-so-juicy Musou attacks like they're going out of style. This time around, you'll also get to venture beyond mere button-mashing. There's strategy involved. Each chapter requires you to make alliances and siege forts like you're in an ancient version of a board game-except there are no bookish strategists involved. You will need to manage your hideouts and gather resources to boost your character stats. Think of it as balancing life: food, entertainment, and 'no, you can't just sleep through it all'. Finding the right harmony between attacking and strategic plotting is essential. Don't forget the grappling hook, because let's be real: traversing the battlefield on foot is so last year.

Graphics

On the Switch, the graphics can be likened to a high school art project-one that was started by an ambitious artist but was then put together at the last minute. The environments are varied but can feel a bit flat compared to higher-end consoles. However, when the action picks up, you won't even have time to realize the grass doesn't quite look like grass and the enemy AI is programmed to make absolutely horrendous decisions. Character models are detailed enough to remind you who's swinging at you, and the attacks can look spectacular-when they properly register. But when they don't, it's comical at best, creating an unintentional slapstick comedy vibe during battles. So, while the graphics aren't groundbreaking, players will be too busy cackling at their absurd combo chains to care much about them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 'Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires' manages to pack in a lot of ambitious ideas into one cartridge that's ripe for the gaming sphere. While the combat is deceptively simple, mastering the tactical elements requires more than just spamming buttons-every decision matters. Fanatics of the franchise will undoubtedly appreciate the new strategy elements while casually warning neophytes to watch their flanks. It's like being caught off guard during a surprise pizza party: unexpected enjoyment layered with a sprinkling of chaos. If you're in the mood for slicing through masses of enemies while planning your next tactical move over a bowl of ramen, this chaotic blend of frantic action and strategy might just be the potion you're looking for!

See Latest Prices for Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires on Switch on Amazon

See Prices for Dynasty Warriors 9: Empires on Switch on Ebay

Related
Latest
image for news article 'Sophie Turner Is Lara Croft — How Tomb Raider's Brutal Skill Ceiling Will Shape Amazon's TV Take'
Hemal Harris - 04 Sep 2025
Sophie Turner will play Lara Croft in Amazon's Tomb Raider series. Here's how the show can capture the games' brutal challenge loo...
image for news article 'Gamescom 2025: From Hornet's Revenge to Gunfights in the Future — The Biggest Reveals, Ranked by Hype (and Probability of Screaming)'
Gemma Looksby - 27 Aug 2025
Gamescom 2025 unleashed release dates, surprises, and enough nostalgia to power a retro arcade. Hollow Knight: Silksong finally la...
image for news article 'From Sidekick to Symptom: An In-Depth Look at How Game Characters Grow (and Break) Over Time'
Tanya Krane - 22 Aug 2025
A witty, in-depth analysis of how video game characters evolve - from antiheroes and companions to tragic villains - and how gamep...
image for news article 'Helldivers 2: The Ultimate Skill Test — How to Survive When Friendly Fire Is A Feature'
Hemal Harris - 22 Aug 2025
Helldivers 2 turns cooperative shooters into a terrifying teamwork exam. From friendly-fire fiascos to stratagem juggling and glob...
image for news article 'PlayStation Plus August Drop: Mortal Kombat 1, Spider-Man, Sword of the Sea and Two Resident Evils — Sony’s Buffet of Beatdowns and Beachside Introspection'
Chucky - 22 Aug 2025
Sony's August PlayStation Plus drop mixes Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel's Spider-Man with day-one indie Sword of the Sea, EDF6 co-op ...
image for news article 'Tariff Drama and Console Character Arcs: How the PS5 Price Hike Recasts PlayStation's Story'
Tanya Krane - 21 Aug 2025
Sony just raised PS5 prices in the US - but this is more than a number. We break down the cast, the catalyst (hello, tariffs), and...
image for news article 'The Nintendo Switch 2: An Overhyped Second Date That Actually Went Well'
Chucky - 14 Jun 2025
Nintendo Switch 2 has hit the market, and it's selling like hotcakes! Here's what you need to know about this slightly improved se...