Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines

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). Done by THQ Nordic, It was released in October 24th, 2021 on the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch,
 * Warning: Contains blood, gore, strong horror violence, coarse language and dark themes.

Development
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

 * Because of the game using the same engine as Dynasty Warriors 9, Bloodlines' mechanics are a revamped variation of the State System in the former game. However, there are some
 * Due to almost half of the roster having cloned weapons, the ones that use the same weapon, or have a different weapon yet the same attacks, now have different Trigger Attacks, as well as different Charge attacks.
 * The Base Season Passes, Episode 2 and it's season passes count as part of the Xtreme Legends expansion, in a similar fashion to 9's 3 season passes.

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 story lines.

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

Edit Mode
The Edit mode from the older games returns. This time, you are able to customize your own bodyguards

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 (Marie Shintani)
 * Sun Jun (Julia)
 * Sun Chen
 * Sun Luban
 * Lu Kang (Unlockable)
 * Wu Guotai (Unlockable)
 * Sun Jing (Unlockable)

Wei

 * Cao Zhi
 * Lady Bian
 * Cao Hong (Episode 2)
 * Xin Pi (Episode 2)
 * Zhao Yue (Episode 2)

Shu

 * Liao Hua
 * Jian Yong
 * Deng Zhi (Episode 2)
 * Deng Yin (Episode 2)

Jin

 * Xin Chang

Other

 * Gao Shun
 * Li Ru
 * Zhang Bao (YT) (Episode 2)
 * Zhang Liang (Episode 2)

DLC

 * Sun Xiu

UNPC'S

 * Vexille Sierra/Dark Deng (The original incarnation of the Re-Do Deng)
 * /Dark Jun (The original incarnation of the Re-Do Jun)
 * 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
 * Sima Fu (one of Sima Yi's brothers)
 * Sun Xiu (Later became a playable character)
 * 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
 * Wen Hu
 * Xiang Chong (Is given a redesign, a voice actor, and a new weapon)
 * 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
 * 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 (Because a playable character in Empires)
 * Cao Shuang
 * Xiahou Mao
 * Taishi Xiang
 * Meng Da
 * Zhuge Ke
 * Ma Xiu
 * Ma Tie
 * Ma Teng
 * Pang Hui
 * Yang Huai
 * Jiang Ji
 * Yuan Xi
 * Tao Qian
 * Liu Biao
 * Zhong Yao
 * Yang Huiyu
 * Zhang Hu
 * Yuan Shang
 * Xu You
 * Meng You
 * Ji Ling
 * Gongsun Zan

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. Lu Kang, Sun Jing, and Wu Guotai don't count as they are unlock characters. However, you can actually get them at a separate price if you don't want to proceed through the story.

In terms of the Season Passes for each episode, it will either be free for every Episode purchase or sold separately.

Pre-Order Bonus
If you pre-order the game, you'll be able to unlock a special costume for Re-Do Deng


 * Sun Quan

Bloodlines Season Pass ($20)

 * 4 new characters (Sun Xiu,
 * 5 additional stories with additional costumes (Cao Xiu - The Honorable Nephew, Sun Ce - Conqueror's Fangs, Lu Lingqi - Fight for Survival, Xiahou Ba - Escape from the Jaws of Death, Yuan Shu - Dishonorable Payback)
 * 6 new weapons (Crescent Moon Spade, Javelin, Sword and Chain, Scroll of War, Rake, Stone Column)
 * Modern Incarnations costumes (Zhao Yun, Sun Jian, Man Chong and Sima Zhao)
 * Wu's Legacy costume pack
 * 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

Episode 2 Season Pass

 * 4 additional stories
 * 6 new weapons

Other Expansions

 * Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines: Episode 2
 * Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines Mobile
 * Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines: Empires

Pre-Release
Bloodlines was highly divisive the moment the game was first announced.

Post-Release
Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines received positive reviews 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, 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 was severely criticized overall for being on a similar level to the Manhunt franchise. 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.

Bloodlines: Episode 2 (Distrust)

 * Deng Zhi - JP: Kenji Akabane, ENG: Khary Payton
 * Deng Yin - JP: Yuu Kobayashi, ENG: Brianna Knickerbocker
 * Xin Pi - JP: Toshiyuki Morikawa, ENG: Scott McNeil
 * Cao Hong - JP: Hiro Shimono, ENG: Robbie Daymond
 * Zhao Yue - JP: Daiki Yamashita, ENG: Ray Chase
 * Zhang Bao (Yellow Turbans) - JP: Tasuku Hatanaka, ENG: Billy Kametz
 * Zhang Liang - JP: Kenji Nomura, ENG: Richard Epcar

Bloodlines: Episode 1 (Insanity)

 * Marie Shintani (Re-Do Deng) - JP: Rie Takahashi, ENG: Lillana Mumy
 * Julia Kouen (Jun) - JP: Eri Inagawa, ENG: Jessica DiCicco
 * Sun Chen - JP: Kouji Ishii, ENG: Chris Tergliafera, Richard Epcar (Season 2)
 * Sun Luban - JP: Yuki Makishima, ENG: Nancy Cartwright
 * Sun Jing - JP: Daisuke Sakaguchi, ENG: Kirk Thornton
 * Sun Xiu - JP: Kenta Miyake, ENG: T.J Rotolo
 * Lu Kang - JP: Mitsuhiro Ichiki, ENG: Lucien Dodge
 * Liao Hua - JP: Fumihiko Tachiki, ENG: Crispin Freeman
 * Jian Yong - JP: Mamoru Miyano, 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: Dennis Pastorizo
 * Wu Guotai - JP: Sayaka Ohara, ENG: Tara Platt
 * Narrator - JP: Takehito Koyasu, ENG: Harry Shearer

9

 * Cheng Pu - JP: Atsuki Tani, ENG: Scott McNeil
 * Xu Sheng - JP: Taruske Shingaki, ENG: Ian Sinclair
 * Zhou Cang - JP: Chiharu Sawashiro, ENG: Zach Aguilar
 * Man Chong - JP: Takashi Aoki, ENG: Marcel Cunningham (BasicallyIDOWRK)
 * Xun You - JP: Kenji Hamada, ENG: SungWon-Cho (ProZD)
 * Cao Xiu - JP: Takuya Sato, ENG: Scott Grimes
 * Xin Xianying - JP: Shino Shimoji, ENG: Wendy Schaal
 * Yuan Shu - JP: Keiji Hirai, ENG: Cam Clarke
 * Xiahou Ji - JP: Yuuko Mikutsu, ENG: Brianna Knickerbocker
 * Hua Xiong - JP: Volcano Ota, ENG: Tim Budas
 * 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: Bill Farmer
 * 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: William Salyers
 * 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: Atsushi Miyauchi, ENG: John DiMaggio
 * Chen Gong - JP: Hiromu Miyazaki, ENG: Mark Whitten
 * Lu Lingqi - JP: Hiroko Ushida, ENG: Sarah Williams
 * Xun Yu - JP: Takashi Ohara, ENG: Dante Basco

7

 * Sima Zhao - JP; Daisuke Kishio, ENG: Brian Hanby (Terrorizer)
 * Liu Shan - JP: Taiki Matsuno, ENG: Vincent Tong
 * 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: Mark Hamil
 * 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: Joshua Tomar
 * 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: Erica Lindbeck
 * 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: Travis Willingham
 * 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: Sam Marin
 * Ma Chao - JP: Koji Haramaki, ENG: David Beron
 * Huang Zhong - JP: Yasuhiko Kawazu, ENG: Brian Hanby (Terrorizer)
 * Jiang Wei - JP: Hisayoshi Suganuma, ENG: Greg Cipes
 * 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: Tyler Wine (I AM WILDCAT)
 * Sun Quan - JP: Hisayoshi Suganuma, ENG: Jeremy Shada
 * 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: Evan Fong (VanossGaming)
 * 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: Gina Bowes
 * Lu Bu - JP: Tetsu Inada, ENG: Jamieson Price

Troop Voices (14)

 * Kenji Nojima, ?, Kenji Akabane, Masami Suzuki, Shunzo Miyasaka,
 * Miles Luna, Marcel Cunningham, Ian Coleman, Erica Lindbeck, Tony Oliver

Edit Voices

 * Male - JP:
 * Female - JP:, ENG:

Trivia

 * Dynasty Warriors Bloodlines is darker than previous entries.
 * Most of the characters, aside from the newcomers, have brand new renders.
 * The Re-Do will serve as a replacement update.
 * Despite Bloodlines being the 10th game in the series, it's actually it's own spin-off, which was why the newcomers from the two episodes may not be likely to be playable in the near future, according to the producer.
 * Due to Episode 2, Bloodlines marks as the third game not to have an Xtreme Legends expansion. In fact, Bloodlines' next episode, and it's Season Pass, is actually a variation of the Xtreme Legends approach.