even though "Dynasty Warriors was originally a fighting game" ranks alongside "Super Mario Bros 2 is actually Doki Doki Panic" and "Kingdom Hearts was conceived when two execs met in an elevator" in terms of video game fun facts that get retold so many times they stop being fun, I still find it very very funny and appreciate that KT are still willing to bring back the designs from it. Also more importantly I'm glad the early purchase bonus is just dumb little costumes, the era of WO4U and ROTK14 locking actual gameplay affecting ♥♥♥♥ behind being an early adopter isn't one I care to go back to.

I think this game was custom designed to ruin my life, specifically

So... it's good. Definitely worth playing for veterans of the series. However, I can't shake the feeling that it was a little oversold.

Don't be fooled into thinking the title is reverse false advertising. This is not a full fourth entry in the To the Moon series that uses a Beach Episode as a backdrop, this is a Beach Episode that just so happens to continue the To the Moon series. There is subtext and subtle worldbuilding throughout, and the ending is absolutely a wonderful conclusion, but the majority of the experience can feel quite filler-y before the actual plot makes itself clear. That's not to say it isn't GOOD filler; it's absolutely on the same level as the previous Minisodes and many of the more lighthearted moments in the main games. But it's hard to feel like a story is truly advancing most of the time.

I know a lot of people would disagree with my point and think this game is absolutely worthy of being called a core installment, and to a certain extent I still regard it as one, but I think the actual conclusion you come to is less important than the enjoyment you get out of the game, and the main thing I want to get at with this review is to set your expectations accordingly. I'd much rather people come out of this game pleasantly surprised than disappointed.

Law kind of rocks the Cao Pi fit ngl. Hancock's Wang Yuanji costume is decent but kind of a downgrade from her Diaochan and Naotora costumes in PW3; those costumes gave Salome a bit of mainline Musou drip as well but no such change is made to her here. Missed opportunity for her to get a Sima Zhao makeover. Overall, though, I can't complain too hard. They're nice costumes to have. (And yeah, you do unlock Law, Hancock and the Vinsmoke brothers early from this pack, but I'd never really recommend it on that alone.)

Between the lack of achievements, odd clothing physics from time to time, and overpowered DLC joke weapons constantly forcing their way into your loadout, this is not a perfect port. But if you can look past those issues, this port is everything that it needs to be; an easily accessible way of experiencing one of the best stories in all of Musou, alongside the plentiful side content added to the game by DLC and Xtreme Legends, at a VERY generous price.

While the game itself, due to a severe clone problem and facing direct competition with DW8 and WO3 which both adapt and declone its roster while having way deeper system mechanics, isn't a high tier Warriors game overall, it still has at least decent combat, it has tons of extra content if you do fall in love with the gameplay, and, like I said, the way this game adapts the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story is absolutely masterful. You feel the chemistry between characters and the struggles they face like no other Dynasty Warriors game even comes close to, and the way the themes of people's dreams and ambitions carrying on through the generations come together by the end of the game's final story is nothing short of poetic.

I know for a lot of this review I sounded rather mixed, but I absolutely believe the good outweighs the bad. While I'd still recommend DW8 over this for someone who just wants to play ONE Musou game, this game is still one I'd recommend anyone with an interest in the series play at least once, if for no other reason than to experience the thoughtful, emotional and wonderfully scored biopic that is this game's story mode.