In an interview, Sho has confirmed that the PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X/S versions of Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered will all run at 60 FPS. PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X will be capable of outputting 4K visuals thanks to image upscaling technology. Xbox Series S, however, will only be upscaled to 1080p.

When it comes to the Nintendo Switch 2, Sho said that, when docked, the console will output at 1440p. Handheld mode, on the other hand, will stay at 1080p through upscaling. The title will also make use of its variable refresh rate capabilities while still ensuring that it can handle the same number of on-screen characters as the other platforms. Players should expect frame rates of between 30 and 60 FPS depending on the situation.

The PS5 Pro version, interestingly enough, benefits from its more advanced hardware and software features like PSSR. The title also has a higher mesh quality through Nanite. Weaker consoles like the Xbox Series S and the Nintendo Switch 2, on the other hand, don’t use features like Lumen, and their mesh and vegetation densities can also be more variable.

“On PS5 Pro, the graphics have been enhanced using a higher internal resolution than on PS5, as well as upscaling with PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). We have also adjusted the mesh quality using Nanite so that it can achieve a higher level of detail than on PS5.

“In terms of visuals, the Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions differ in areas such as mesh detail and vegetation density. They also differ in that they do not use Lumen for dynamic global illumination and instead use ad hoc lighting adjustments created by our artists. And as mentioned earlier, the performance specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2 version are as described above.”

Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered is out on October 1st, and Sho has also noted that its success might open the door for Omega Force to bring back some of its other Dynasty Warriors games for new audiences. Sho even expressed enthusiasm in potentially bringing other Warriors titles to modern platforms.

“If Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered performs well, then of course I think the possibility of remastering other older titles and series will increase. In fact, I am sincerely hoping that it performs well enough to make that possible! And naturally, this is not limited to the Dynasty Warriors series. I believe it could also open up possibilities for other titles in the broader Warriors franchise.”

While you wait for the PS2 classic’s remastered release, take a look at the overview trailer from back in June. And check out its announcement trailer from last year while you’re at it.

Dynasty Warriors 3 has previously been described as the most-requested remaster in the series. Beyond that fan demand, what made Dynasty Warriors 3 the right game to revisit rather than Dynasty Warriors 4, 5, or another classic entry?

Among the requests for remasters of the PS2 era Dynasty Warriors games, there were many requests for Dynasty Warriors 3, Dynasty Warriors 4, and Dynasty Warriors 5. The reason we chose Dynasty Warriors 3 was that it was the entry in which many of the key elements that would go on to form the foundation of later games in the series were firmly established. And personally, it is also a very memorable title for me because it was the first game I worked on with full responsibility for the project as a game designer.

The remaster adds mechanics such as Evasion, Just Evasion, and Perfect Power Guard, while also allowing players to switch back towards a more classic experience. How difficult was it to modernise the combat without fundamentally changing what Dynasty Warriors 3 feels like?

It was extremely difficult. Because the range of actions available to the player changes significantly, it wasn’t realistic to completely match the combat to each of the difficulties, so we chose to accept that to a certain extent. Even so, whether players choose the more modern feel or something closer to the original, we still needed to achieve the intended gameplay feel and difficulty across a wide variety of situations, and that was something we struggled with considerably.

Dynasty Warriors games have changed enormously in terms of enemy density, combat speed, officer encounters, and battlefield design since the PS2 era. Which aspects of Dynasty Warriors 3 did the team consider essential to preserve even if they might feel unusual by modern standards?

If I had to put it in a couple words… this may not be the best way to phrase it and might be misunderstood, but in a positive sense, I’d say it is the “almost unfair level of difficulty” and the “silliness.” Of course, the exhilarating feeling of 1 vs. 1000 is an unwavering core of the series, but we also placed great importance on preserving the underlying appeal that could only exist, and be enjoyed, because of the sensibilities and action game design of that era.

Weapon Fusion is a fairly substantial addition to the original progression system. What prompted its inclusion, and how much does it change the way players build and develop individual officers compared to the original game?

Weapon Fusion was probably the one major feature that the director and the development team members wanted to add. Those who know the original game well will understand this, but when it came to what were known as unique weapons, there had long been feedback that some were difficult to use depending on the officer, or that they had different attributes, so we added Weapon Fusion in response to those requests. As for progression and character builds, given the large number of officers, we have adjusted the systems so that characters can be developed more easily in line with modern sensibilities.

The remaster is adding entirely new scenarios rather than simply recreating the original game and Xtreme Legends. What kinds of opportunities did revisiting Dynasty Warriors 3 give the team to explore battles or character perspectives that couldn’t be included in the original release?

As for the new scenarios… even though this is a remaster, we felt that players would want some new content. So, with that in mind, we created them around the concept of offering more “hypothetical (what if)” scenarios that we couldn’t at the time, while also making them highly challenging and rewarding to play. Back then, because the game was as a pure action game, there was almost no explanation of the world or the individual officers. In this version, we have supplemented those aspects, and I think that allows players to enjoy the game with a greater sense of immersion.

Ziluan from Dynasty Warriors: Origins is appearing in the remaster. How did the team approach integrating such a modern Dynasty Warriors character into a game whose design and roster originated more than two decades ago?

By the end of Dynasty Warriors: Origins, Ziluan became an extremely powerful character, capable of switching between a wide variety of weapons, using powerful Arts, and unleashing True Musou Ranbu attacks that could almost be considered ultimate moves. In this game, we adjusted him so that his actions would not feel out of place alongside the other officers, while also ensuring that his overall strength remained balanced with the rest of the roster.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins brought a significant number of new and returning players to the franchise. Has its reception changed the way Omega Force thinks about preserving and reintroducing older Dynasty Warriors games?

We are certainly conscious of those who have played Dynasty Warriors: Origins, but to be honest, I don’t think it fundamentally changed our approach. Omega Force has always developed the Dynasty Warriors series with the intention of delivering what we believe is the best possible version of Dynasty Warriors for that particular time. I think that principle has remained unchanged and will continue to remain unchanged going forward.

If Complete Edition Remastered performs well, could this become the beginning of a broader effort to preserve older Warriors titles – whether through more Dynasty Warriors remasters or revisiting games from series such as Samurai Warriors?

If Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered performs well, then of course I think the possibility of remastering other older titles and series will increase. In fact, I am sincerely hoping that it performs well enough to make that possible! And naturally, this is not limited to the Dynasty Warriors series. I believe it could also open up possibilities for other titles in the broader Warriors franchise.

What resolutions and frame rates does Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered target on PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Nintendo Switch 2?

The frame rate for PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S is 60 FPS. On both PS5 and PS5 Pro, the game outputs at 4K resolution using upscaling technology. Xbox Series X also outputs at 4K using upscaling technology, while Xbox Series S is upscaled to 1080p. On Nintendo Switch 2, TV Mode outputs at 2560×1440, while Handheld Mode outputs at 1920×1080 using upscaling technology. To avoid creating a significantly different gameplay experience, the Switch 2 version has also been adjusted to handle the same number of characters as the other platforms while running at a variable frame rate of 30 ~ 60 FPS.

What specific enhancements does the PS5 Pro version offer, and are there any notable visual or performance compromises on Series S or Switch 2?

On PS5 Pro, the graphics have been enhanced using a higher internal resolution than on PS5, as well as upscaling with PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR). We have also adjusted the mesh quality using Nanite so that it can achieve a higher level of detail than on PS5. In terms of visuals, the Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch 2 versions differ in areas such as mesh detail and vegetation density. They also differ in that they do not use Lumen for dynamic global illumination and instead use ad hoc lighting adjustments created by our artists. And as mentioned earlier, the performance specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2 version are as described above.

Based on Chinese mythology, it has massive fangs measuring 60 to 72 inches each and fights super-aggressively. This is where Insight Skills come into play. While you can still deflect attacks normally, you can combine this with Insight to retaliate immediately. You can even slam bosses into walls to stun them, creating new opportunities depending on the environment.

There’s also Divine Beast Manifestation. Instead of simply summoning one for elemental damage, the player’s form is enhanced for a limited time, allowing them to unleash powerful attacks. If this sounds similar to Nioh, then that’s probably intentional. After all, the world design takes inspiration from Nioh 3, while the traversal clearly cribs notes from Ninja Gaiden.

Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember launches on March 4th, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. If it follows the pattern of previous releases, there should be another demo before launch, so stay tuned for updates.

Check out the latest trailer below, but if you’re in the mood to go hands-on much earlier, a free alpha demo is now available. It showcases the character creator and an “early” look, with players fighting alongside Liu Bei in Changban against Cao Cao. Humans aren’t the only threat you’ll face, and aside from previewing the combat changes, you can sample how much more dynamic the world design is. Best of all, up to three players can team up through online co-op, though the alpha is only available until September 30th.

Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember continues the first game’s Three Kingdoms Premise, this time focusing on conflicts like Changban and the Red Cliffs. Alongside a more open world and revamped Morale system, it adds new mobility tools like wall-running. You’ll also rely far less on deflection this time around thanks to new combat mechanics. Stay tuned for more details – if you miss this alpha, there will likely be another demo before launch.

In its presentation, Nintendo has confirmed that Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity – Definitive Edition will run at 60 FPS and at higher resolutions, with battles featuring even more enemies. The port will also include all of the content that was previously released as part of the game’s Expansion Pass. As for new content, players can look forward to a new difficulty level, dubbed Calamity Mode, which pits players against the toughest monsters Hyrule has to offer.

Players who already own the Nintendo Switch version of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity are eligible for a discount when purchasing the Nintendo Switch 2 version through the eShop. Save data can also be carried over into the newer version. Pre-orders are slated to begin later today.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity was released all the way back in November 2020, and serves as a prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Its story revolves around trying to avert a calamity that would define much of the world in Tears of the Kingdom. While there are no direct tie-ins between the two games, many characters from Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild are present and playable in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

For more details, check out our review of the original release.

A new key visual for the game’s opening animation sequence (produced by MAPPA) has been revealed, and it’s no surprise to see Erin, Mikasa, and a couple of very familiar faces on it. Encompassing the early days of the Survey Corps to the end, we’re expecting a faithful recreation of events from the anime and manga with these four front and center. However, those rebuilt cutscenes and the Omni-directional mobility gear are solid reasons to believe that this one’s more than capable of standing as tall as a proud member of the Survey Corps with its own unique perspective on Titan-hunting to share.

Time will tell if that’s the case, but we’re hoping for news about that in-game bonus from transferring saves from previous titles and how it’s going to work. You can bet we’ll tell you more details as soon as we hear them, but the visual below is a good place to leave things for now.

“Following the launch of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition on Nintendo Switch 2, our worldwide player count has surpassed eight million! Thank you for your continued support of the Wo Long series, and we hope you look forward to Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember in early 2027.”

The last major milestone hit by Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty was back in March 2024, when the company announced that it had been played by more than 5 million players worldwide across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It is worth noting that the title is also available through a Game Pass subscription, which likely played a major role in growing its audience.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty was released back in March 2023 and served as an evolution of many of the gameplay systems and mechanics that developer Team Ninja had worked on with games like Nioh. It also featured entirely new mechanics as well, like Morale, which determines how challenging combat encounters can be. It set itself apart from the studio’s other games by focusing more heavily on parrying mechanics.

In our review from back when the game first came out, we gave Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty a score of 7 out of 10 thanks to its flashy deflection system, Morale mechanic, and excellent enemy design. However, we criticized the game’s overreliance on parrying and deflecting attacks, and its poor companion AI.

In the meantime, Team Ninja has already begun working on the next game in the franchise. Dubbed Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember, the title is slated for release in early 2027 and will come to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The sequel was unveiled back in June with a trailer that gave us our first look at its visual style.

While not too many details about Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember have been revealed yet, the trailer has indicated that it will revolve around a protagonist who is trying to end a vicious cycle of conflict where everyone is vying for an elixir that can grant immortality.

More recently, the studio has confirmed that the Morale system will be getting revamped, and that Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember will also focus more on exploration thanks to its “open field” world design, which contrasts quite sharply with the more linear structure of its predecessor. Producer Masakazu Hirayama had spoken about how the studio wants to avoid the monotony that can often set in when playing games with gigantic open worlds.

“Regarding the monotony of open-world exploration, this time it basically depicts an entire battlefield. Changes on the battlefield will affect the outcome of the battle, causing changes in other parts of the scene as well. I think this will alleviate the monotony to some extent.”

The studio has also spoken about new additions to the combat system.

"When you take a closer look at exactly what you’re getting, the shine starts to fall off a bit."

Right off the bat, Hell Rising doesn’t quite feel like a compelling deal, since it doesn’t really add too much to the core of Nioh 3. Sure, the engaging gameplay remains, and there are a few new encounters as well as an entirely new weapon type. However, when you take a closer look at exactly what you’re getting, the shine starts to fall off a bit.

Let’s get this out of the way; Nioh 3: Hell Rising recycles quite a few things from the base game. Many of the “new” enemy types you’ll encounter are things you’ve already fought before, and eagle-eyed fans will be able to spot returning creatures like Nuribotoke and Jakotsu-Baba. While we’ve already faced off against these enemies in the base game, the DLC tries to freshen the encounters a bit by adding some extra hurdles, like surrounding them with more mobs that you also have to deal with.

Hell Rising is rife with enemies reused from the base game but there are a few additions here and there. A few yokai boss encounters return as well, like the Giant Toad and the Onmoraki. However, the vast majority of the bosses I encountered during my time with Hell Rising were largely humanoids, like Berenguela the Whimsical. These fights are certainly interesting, since they all tend to have fun movesets that you have to work around and are typically just as fast as you, if not even faster. However, what the human bosses offer in terms of pure gameplay tends to also contribute to the overwhelming feeling of Team Ninja not being at its creative best with boss design variations.

Regardless, I had some memorable experiences. One of my personal favorite boss encounters was one against a pair of ninjas and a Robust Spear Samurai. The fight against the three enemies was made interesting due to the fact that, while the two ninjas are working together, the Samurai is hostile to everyone present in the room. Add on that the claustrophobic boss arena, and it was a constant clash of blades and explosions going on all around me.

"Samurai and Ninja styles all get new martial options that revolve around the new weapon’s gameplay style"

One of the highlights of Hell Rising is the Hoko & Shield weapon archetype, which pairs a short spear with the defensive capabilities of the shield. Both Samurai and Ninja styles support the archetype, and while you can experiment with the moveset quite a bit, it largely comes down to some of the strong attacks being able to mitigate incoming damage from enemies. The closest comparison I can think of for this weapon is the Charge Blade from the Monster Hunter series, where certain moves end in a “Guard Point” that, when properly timed, can allow you to stay on the offensive while blocking damage without interrupting your combo. The Hoko & Shield similarly rewards aggressive gameplay, and in the hands of a truly skilled player, it will likely be a sight to behold.

Thankfully, you don’t have to get too far into Hell Rising to try the weapon out; you’ll get your hands on your first Hoko & Shield quite early on. Both Samurai and Ninja styles get new martial options that revolve around the new weapon’s gameplay style, with some boosting your damage with small pokes and giving your blocks a counter-attack in case you favor a more cautious play style. Fans of the pistol weapons also have plenty to look forward to thanks to the addition of ninjutsu techniques that enhance that style of gameplay. The best thing about these additions is just the sheer amount of options available to players going through the game now. Nioh 3’s buildcraft is definitely going to get a lot more interesting.

Speaking of Samurai and Ninja styles, even the new Hoko & Shield archetype offers some varying play styles between the two. While the Samurai style tends to stand its ground with the new weapon, especially when using the heavier attacks, the Ninja style is more focused on quick evasions that can be paired with the quick jabbing attacks of the Hoko & Shield to reposition yourself. The difference in playstyle between the two is quite stark even with the addition of just one weapon.

Ninja players get access to some fun new water-based elemental abilities, as well as boosts to status effects, and even new techniques that emphasize aerial movement, even allowing you to use items right after an aerial counter.

The story in Hell Rising is a major disappointment. Much like the base game, the narrative here doesn’t really do much to push you forward. Following the events of Nioh 3 where Takechiyo has been made the Shogun of Japan, the protagonist learns that the Crucible is coming back, and with it, all of the demonic forces that he already fought off. To stop this from happening, Takechiyo travels forward in time to Edo in 1651.

"The level itself makes the DLC’s story feel grander and more interesting than the actual writing."

We don’t really get much out of this narrative aside from the setup and the ending, and the story simply comes down to a series of new fights that Takechiyo must win in order to once more banish the Crucible. While you do meet a few new characters along the way, like the opening boss Yagyu Jubei, they don’t do much to push the story forward either, and even their colorful personalities that can often shine through in a few moments largely tend to fade into the background as you make your way through the world.

The DLC also makes a strange decision by ending things with a cliffhanger, which will likely get resolved when the second story expansion, Bloody Insurrection, comes out. All in all, things end on a low point with regards to the overall quality of the story. I was simply left wanting more once I completed the expansion.

Speaking of which, the new zone brought into the game with Hell Rising does a lot of the heavy lifting with regards to the quality of the DLC. You get a rather colorful open field to explore, and it isn’t strictly divided into distinct levels. The map is a large one, and there’s an impressive degree of variety present here, with the player getting to travel through villages that are filled with attractive colors, creepy underground levels, dense forests, and even strange libraries that reminded us of Bloodborne. An interesting note here is that the level itself makes the DLC’s story feel grander and more interesting than the actual writing. The pacing of the new zone is done quite well, starting off with a war-torn take on Edo’s castle before you move on to exploring more of the surrounding areas in your attempts to destroy the Crucible.

On the performance front, we ran the game on a PC equipped with an RTX 3080 Ti, a Ryzen 9 5950X, 32 GB of RAM, and an SSD. Even with every setting cranked up to the maximum, frame rates remained largely stable, with only occasional drops. Nioh 3 is one of 2026’s best-looking games, and Hell Rising continues that legacy.

Generally speaking, Hell Rising’s appeal depends on whether you were satisfied with the base game’s existing formula. If you loved Nioh 3, then Hell Rising is a great excuse to dive back into the game. If, however, you wanted more from the base game in terms of narrative and enemy variety, you’re out of luck here, since the DLC continues to deliver the same core experience. While the new zone itself is quite fantastic, and there’s plenty of fun to be had with the Hoko & Shield once you get used to its gameplay style, the lack of new yokai bosses and the abundance of humanoid encounters are certainly a disappointment.

To conclude, with a five-to-eight-hour runtime and a $20 price tag, Hell Rising simply doesn’t add enough to Nioh 3 to justify the cost for anyone other than die-hard fans of the base game.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Hell Rising takes players to Edo in the Keian era, where the region has been taken over by the Crucible. This has also sparked intrigue surrounding the Spirit Stones, which players will be thrown in the midst of.

Along with new missions and enemies, the Hell Rising DLC also introduces the new Hoko and Shield weapon categories. The developers have described these new weapons as being able to “combine the offensive capabilities of the short spear and the defensive capabilities of the shield”. Players can test out their new weapons with the Hundred Demon Realms Picture Scrolls, which are used to set up customizable battles that can be repeated.

The DLC introduces a new difficulty mode as well, with additional benefits that provide options for more character builds. Other gameplay additions include new Guardian Spirits, Martial Arts, Skills, Ninjutsu, and Onmyo Magic, all of which can work in tandem to provide interesting ways to take on combat encounters.

Following the release of Hell Rising, Koei Tecmo has also confirmed that the development team has started working on the second expansion for Nioh 3, dubbed Bloody Insurrection. While it doesn’t yet have a release date, the Season Pass indicates that it will be out by February 2027.

Our first look at the Hell Rising DLC came thanks to a trailer from last month. In the trailer, Takechiyo found himself confused by his surroundings, since he was unknowingly transported to 1651, where they had mysteriously died in the future, which led to the Crucible coming back. Some of the characters that players will get to fight alongside are Yagyu Jubei and Rodrigo.

Nioh 3 was released back in February, and while general reception has been quite positive, studio head Fumihiko Yasuda acknowledged in March that it’s a “great game” that isn’t yet quite “perfect”.

“Nioh 3 is a great game, but it’s not perfect. I think there are a lot of things that we could improve upon. We want to take that knowledge that we gained with Nioh 3 and open-field elements and to be able to work on that, and hopefully incorporate and improve upon that in future titles as well.”

Similarly, producer Kohei Shibata also spoke about player feedback regarding Nioh 3, noting that “we do hear the criticism” about the general lack of enemy variety throughout the Soulslike game.

“But some people might have felt that there was a little bit of variety lacking there. So we do hear the criticism, and we do hope that, if there are future titles, we can improve upon this. We would like to take that opportunity to look into that and see what we can do better.”

For more details about Nioh 3, check out our review.

You can now wall-run and attack in the air, further leaning into the Chinese martial arts that defines its identity. Much like the first game, environments will have verticality, though you thankfully won’t take fall damage. As for combat, Wo Long 2 will implement a new mechanic that players must use rather than simply deflecting everything.

Aside from the new open-world structure, you can expect to battle multiple bosses once more. However, Team Ninja is focusing on improving their AI and reducing instances of the player being off-screened into an early grave.

Based on everything revealed thus far, it seems that Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember is looking to address its predecessor’s shortcomings. Performance remains a big question mark, but for now, we’ll wait and see how it fares (especially if a free demo is on the cards).

The release date has yet to be revealed, but you can expect Wo Long 2 to launch sometime in early 2027 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.