Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines

* **Warning: Contains blood, gore, strong horror violence, coarse language and dark themes.**

**Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines** (真・三國無双, *Shin Sangoku Musou Bloodlines*) is the tenth main entry of the *Dynasty Warriors* series. Despite that it's the tenth entry, it's actually a spin-off to Dynasty Warriors 9 given that both games use the same engine (Though Bloodlines uses a modified variation). It was released in October 27th, 2019 on the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Windows PC with the game being released on Google Stadia in April 2020. It is also set to be released on the PS5 and the Xbox Series X in two separate release dates: Series X - Day 1 Release, PS5 - At around December 2020.

## Development

Not long after 9's poor launch, a mysterious woman stepped in to create a new DW game in secret without anyone noticing. Her plan was to make a game set in the Late Wu era, something that people were upset about it's lack of importance.

For the writing of the story, musou mode, and Hero Mode, it's all done by Jason Weight, the writer of Red vs. Blue: Singularity. The producer was impressed at his writing abilities during the season and was curious to see how he'll fare with writing a video game such as Bloodlines.

## Gameplay

Bloodlines is a fusion of DW9 and the older games in terms of gameplay, harking back to the DW7 system with a hint of DW3 - 5

## Modes

### Story Mode

Instead of the traditional musou modes, Bloodlines instead has a single Story Mode that reveals the events of the Late Wu era.

### Musou Mode

The mode returns with new branching storylines.

### Hero Mode

Similar to Destiny Mode, Hero Mode follows the story of your own created character.

## Characters

### Playable

All of the characters from Dynasty Warriors 9 return with 14 more additions. Two of them are personally created by the game designer.

#### Wu

* Sun Deng
* Sun Jun
* Sun Chen
* Sun Luban
* Lu Kang (Unlockable)
* Wu Guotai (Unlockable)
* Sun Jing (Unlockable)

#### Wei

* Cao Zhi
* Lady Bian

#### Shu

* Liao Hua
* Jian Yong

#### Other

* Gao Shun
* Li Ru

### UNPC'S

* Deng Zhi (Later became playable and the main protagonist in Episode 2)
* Zhuge Jin
* Dong Min (Became playable in Episode 2)
* Zhang Ren
* Chen Tai
* Sun Yi
* Sun Xiu (Later became a playable character in Empires along with Zhang Changpu and King Midang)
* Zhang Bao (Yellow Turbans, later became playable in Episode 2)
* Zhang Liang (Later became playable in Episode 2)
* Zhang Mancheng
* Cao Hong (Later became playable in Episode 2)
* Cao Rui
* Jia Kui
* Xiang Chong (Is given a redesign, a voice actor, and a new weapon)
* Xiang Lang (Is given a weapon, a voice actor, and becomes one of the few to be genderbended)
* Mi Zhu
* Wen Qin
* Yan Liang
* Wen Chou
* Zhuge Zhan
* Wang Mingshan
* Mi Fang
* Fu Shiren
* Jiang Qin
* Zhong Yao
* Mi Zhu
* Li Jue
* Guo Si
* Ma Su
* Ma Liang
* King Midang (Later became playable in Empires)
* Ding Yuan
* Lu Gong
* Huang Zu
* Meng You
* Liu Zhang
* Chen Zhen
* Yi Ji
* Cheng Yu
* He Jin
* Bian Xi
* Xu You
* Zhao Yue (Became a playable character in Episode 2)
* Tian Feng
* Cao Shuang
* Xiahou Mao
* Taishi Xiang
* Meng Da
* Xiahou Shang (Became playable in Episode 3)
* Zhuge Ke
* Ma Xiu
* Ma Tie
* Ma Teng
* Pang Hui
* Ma Zun (Became playable in Episode 3)
* Yang Huai
* Jiang Ji
* Yuan Xi
* Tao Qian
* Liu Biao
* Zhong Yao
* Yang Huiyu
* Zhang Hu
* Yuan Shang
* Xu You
* Meng You

## DLC

The Season Pass will contain 6 hypothetical stories along with new costumes, a set of DLC collaboration outfits, 6 new weapons, 6 BGM music, an modern costume pack made by various creators, and 2 new challenges from Challenge Mode. The three stories, Tiger's Conquest, Grieving Insanity and Corrupted Wrath are not part of the Season Pass and are unlocked stories if the main story's completed. They are also sold separately for free as an optional choice for those that don't want to progress through the story. Lu Kang, Sun Jing, and Wu Guotai don't count as they are unlock characters. Like Warriors Orochi 4 Ultimate, Bloodlines: Episode 2 and Episode 3 along with their DLC content, are available as a Upgrade DLC pack for people who has the base game, for a complete, definitive experience.

There is also a Definitive Edition, which contains all of the episodes and it's DLC content. The Definitive Edition will be part of the next gen releases.

### Season 1 Pass ($40)

* 5 Hypothetical stories with additional costumes (Dong Zhuo - The Tyranny of the Emperor, Sun Ce - Conqueror's Fangs, Lu Lingqi - Fight for Survival, Sima Zhao - War of The Peace Keepers, Yuan Shao - The Honor of the Yuan family)
* 6 new weapons (Crescent Moon Spade, Javelin, Sword and Chain, Scroll of War, Swallow Swords, Stone Column)
* A set of collaboration costumes. (Bleach, RWBY, Dead Space, Code Geass and Game of Thrones)
* Modern Incarnations costumes (Liu Shan, Zhao Yun, Sun Jian, Man Chong, Xin Xianying and Li Ru)
* Isekai costume pack (Various Isekai series)
* 4 sets of character customization items.
* 2 new challenges (Zombie Survival, Coin Collect)

The new weapons will have new movesets and new musou animations.

### Season 2 Pass ($50)

* 4 hypothetical stories with costumes (Lu Meng - A Victory for Strategy, Zhang Jiao - The Way of the Heavens, , ?)
* 6 new weapons (Stave, Shadow Fan, Dual Halberds, Three-Section Staff,
* A set of collaboration costumes (Gintama, Sengoku Basara, Mortal Kombat and Tekken)
* 4 sets of character customization items

### Story DLC: Replay

This additional story DLC will serve as an continuation of the main story, right before Jun's own.

## Reception

### Pre-Release

Bloodlines was highly divisive the moment the game was first announced.

### Post-Release

Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines received universal acclaim for it's gameplay, graphics, voice acting, mechanics and story. However, it was heavily criticized, by some critics and veteran fans, for it's blood and gore, post launch content (Though not as bad as 9), it's alternate reality concept, it's darker and edgier tone and it's notoriously difficult AI setting, even on EASY. The blood and gore, and it's post launch content in particular were severely criticized overall. The former for being on a similar level to the Manhunt franchise, and the latter for it's unusual approach, it's ridiculous amount of content and unique weapons being DLC once again in a similar fashion to Dynasty Warriors 9's DLC. The game was also criticized for the sudden psychological horror elements, the similarities to Resident Evil 4 in terms of the overall setting, and the similarities to Silent Hill 2 in terms of the story. In spite of this, however, it was often ignored due to the amount of praise this game gets.

The story in particular, has been highly regarded as one of the best things in the game.

The two stories, Grieving Insanity and Corrupted Wrath were well received, but was often received poorly for how dark, nightmarish and gory both stories are. The former was especially notorious for it's rather dark portrayal of grief, it's scenes and it's bloodier and gorier route.

## Voice Cast

### Bloodlines

* Sun Deng - JP: Rie Takahashi, ENG: Barbara Dunkleman
* Sun Jun - JP: Akari Uehara, ENG: Jen Brown
* Sun Chen - JP: Masaki Terasoma, ENG: Chris Tergliafera
* Sun Luban - JP: Yuki Makishima, ENG: Nancy Cartwright
* Sun Jing - JP: Daisuke Sakaguchi, ENG: Kirk Thornton
* Lu Kang - JP: Mitsuhiro Ichiki, ENG: Lucien Dodge
* Liao Hua - JP: Fumihiko Tachiki, ENG: Crispin Freeman
* Jian Yong - JP: Hiroshi Kamiya, ENG: Mark Whitten
* Cao Zhi - JP: Hiroki Tochi, ENG: Sam Riegel
* Lady Bian - JP: Rina Hidaka, ENG: Yeardley Smith
* Xin Chang - JP: Kensho Ono, ENG: Sean Chiplock
* Gao Shun - JP: Koji Haramaki, ENG: David Beron
* Li Ru - JP: Yuusuke Kobayashi, ENG: Kyle Hebert
* Wu Guotai - JP: Sayaka Ohara, ENG: Tara Platt
* Narrator - JP: Takehito Koyasu, ENG: Harry Shearer

### 9

* Cheng Pu - JP: Atsuki Tani, ENG: Smokey Miles
* Xu Sheng - JP: Taruske Shingaki, ENG: Ian Sinclair
* Zhou Cang - JP: Chiharu Sawashiro, ENG: Zach Aguilar
* Man Chong - JP: Takashi Aoki, ENG: BasicallyIDOWRK
* Xun You - JP: Kenji Hamada, ENG: SungWon-Cho (ProZD)
* Cao Xiu - JP: Takuya Sato, ENG: Dan Castellaneta
* Xin Xianying - JP: Shino Shimoji, ENG: Lindsay Jones
* Yuan Shu - JP: Keiji Hirai, ENG: Hank Azaria
* Xiahou Ji - JP: Yuuko Mikutsu, ENG: Brianna Knickerbocker
* Hua Xiong - JP: Volcano Ota , ENG: Michael MccConnohie
* Dong Bai - JP: Eri Ozeki, ENG: Samantha Ireland

### 8

* Yue Jin - JP: Kentaro Ito, ENG: Darrel Guilbeau
* Li Dian - JP: Kosuke Toriumi, ENG: Lucien Dodge
* Lu Su - JP: Taiten Kusunoki, ENG: Steve Kramer
* Han Dang - JP: Hideyuki Tanaka, ENG: Chris Edgerly
* Zhang Bao (Shu) - JP: Daisuke Sakaguchi, ENG: Johnny Yong Bosch
* Guan Xing - JP: Nobunaga Shimazaki, ENG: Kevin Miller
* Guan Yinping - JP: Shiori Mikami, ENG: Bridgette Renshaw
* Wen Yang - JP: Yuki Ono, ENG: Robert McCollum
* Jia Chong - JP: Hiroki Takahashi, ENG: Matt Mercer
* Zhang Chunhua - JP: Masumi Asano, ENG: Cindy Robinson
* Fa Zheng - JP: Tomohisa Hashizume, ENG: Dan Castellaneta
* Zhu Ran - JP: Tetsuya Kakihara, ENG: Billy Kametz
* Yu Jin - JP: Atsuichi Miyauchi, ENG: Will Friedle
* Chen Gong - JP: Hiromu Miyazaki, ENG: Mark Whitten
* Lu Lingqi - JP: Hiroko Ushida, ENG: Lauren Landa
* Xun Yu - JP: Takashi Ohara, ENG: Dante Basco

### 7

* Sima Zhao - JP; Daisuke Kishio, ENG: Kaiji Tang
* Liu Shan - JP: Taiki Matsuno, ENG: Roman Reigns
* Guan Suo - JP: Hiroaki Miura, ENG: Matt Stone
* Ma Dai - JP: Osamu Ryutani, ENG: Sam Vincent
* Bao Sanniang - JP: Ai Nonaka, ENG: April Stewart
* Jia Xu - JP: Hideo Ishikawa, ENG: Robbie Daymond
* Cai Wenji - JP: Miku Yoshikawa, ENG: Alexis Tipton
* Ding Feng - JP: Ryohei Nakao, ENG: Kyle Hebert
* Lianshi - JP: Akemi Kanda, ENG: Julie Kavner
* Sima Shi - JP: Ryotaro Okiayu, ENG: Josh Grelle
* Wang Yuanji - JP: Kanae Ito, ENG: Tara Platt
* Guo Huai - JP: Satoru Kamata, ENG: Dan Woren
* Zhuge Dan - JP: Takuya Kirimoto, ENG: Keith Silverstein
* Deng Ai - JP: Masato Obara, ENG: Hank Azaria
* Xiahou Ba - JP: Kenji Akabane, ENG: Dan Green
* Zhong Hui - JP: Ichitaro Ai, ENG: Christopher Corey Smith
* Wang Yi - JP: Houko Kuwashima, ENG: Yeardley Smith
* Guo Jia - JP: Daichi Kanbara, ENG: JG Quintel
* Xu Shu - JP: Atsushi Kisaichi, ENG: Darrel Guilbeau

### 5

* Guan Ping - JP: Ryohei Nakao, ENG: Bryce Papenbrook
* Xingcai - JP: Junko Noda, ENG: Wendee Lee
* Cao Pi - JP: Nobutoshi Canna, ENG: Spencer Howard
* Pang De - JP: Masakazu Morita, ENG: Roger Craig Smith
* Ling Tong - JP: Taiki Matsuno, ENG: David Lodge
* Zuo Ci - JP: Masaharu Sato, ENG: Richard Horvitz

### 4

* Yueying - JP: Rumi Kasahara, ENG: Kate Jopson
* Cao Ren - JP: Hisao Egawa, ENG: Beau Billingslea
* Zhou Tai - JP: Hideo Ishikawa, ENG: Kyle Hebert

### 3

* Wei Yan - JP: Yasuhiro Masutani, ENG: Alan Shearman
* Pang Tong - JP: Takahiro Kawachi, ENG: Richard Casino
* Xu Huang - JP: Keiichiro Yamamoto, ENG: Kim Strauss
* Zhang He - JP: Yoshiyuki Kono, ENG: Yuri Lowenthal
* Zhen Ji - JP: Yuko Sumitomo, ENG: Wendee Lee
* Huang Gai - JP: Tetsu Inada, ENG: Doug Lee
* Sun Ce - JP: Takahiro Kawachi, ENG: Yuri Lowenthal
* Da Qiao - JP: Junko Shimakata, ENG: Wendy Schaal
* Xiao Qiao - JP: Junko Shimakata, ENG: Carrie Savage
* Meng Huo - JP: Yoshiyuki Kono, ENG: Kirk Thornton
* Zhu Rong - JP: Chizu Yonemoto, ENG: Dorothy Fahn

### 2

* Liu Bei - JP: Moriya Endo, ENG: Dave B. Mitchell
* Ma Chao - JP: Koji Haramaki, ENG: David Beron
* Huang Zhong - JP: Yasuhiko Kawazu, ENG: Alan Shearman
* Jiang Wei - JP: Hisayoshi Suganuma, ENG: Jeff Bennett
* Xiahou Yuan - JP: Yasuhiko Tokuyama, ENG: Tony Oliver
* Zhang Liao - JP: Hirofumi Tanaka, ENG: Roger Craig Smith
* Sima Yi - JP: Ryotaro Okiayu, ENG: Kyle Hebert
* Sun Jian - JP: Yasuhiko Tokuyama, ENG: I AM WILDCAT
* Sun Quan - JP: Hisayoshi Suganuma, ENG: Bill Fagerbakke
* Lu Meng - JP: Yukitoshi Hori, ENG: Tony Oliver
* Gan Ning - JP: Hiroaki Miura, ENG: John DiMaggio
* Dong Zhuo - JP: Yukitoshi Hori, ENG: Richard Epcar
* Yuan Shao - JP: Osamu Ryutani, ENG: Dietrich Grey
* Zhang Jiao - JP: Yasuhiko Kawazu, ENG: Doug Stone

### OG

* Zhao Yun - JP: Masaya Onosaka, ENG: Vanoss
* Guan Yu - JP: Yasuhiro Masutani, ENG: Dave B. Mitchell
* Zhang Fei - JP: Hirohiko Kakegawa, ENG: Steve Kramer
* Xiahou Dun - JP: Kazuya Nakai, ENG: Chris Hackney
* Dian Wei - JP: Kazuya Nakai, ENG: Beau Billingslea
* Xu Zhu - JP: Takahiro Yoshimizu, ENG: Doug Stone
* Zhou Yu - JP: Takahiro Yoshimizu, ENG: Michael Forest
* Lu Xun - JP: Kenji Nojima, ENG: Skip Stellrecht
* Taishi Ci - JP: Hirohiko Kakegawa, ENG: Terrence Stone
* Diaochan - JP: Rika Komatsu, ENG: Carrie Savage
* Cao Cao - JP: Yukimasa Kishino, ENG: Douglas Rye
* Zhuge Liang - JP: Masaya Onosaka, ENG: Lex Lang
* Sun Shangxiang - JP: Emi Uwagawa, ENG: G.K Bowes
* Lu Bu - JP: Tetsu Inada, ENG: Jamieson Price

## Trivia

* Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines is darker than previous entries.
* Most of the UNPC's were made in similarity to Samurai Warriors 4 Empires while some of them were created by Rooster Teeth.
* Most of the characters, aside from the newcomers, have brand new renders.