I finally got into the Dynasty Warriors Online beta late last night after trying (and failing) to log-in periodically throughout the day.  I only played briefly, so I'll withhold most judgment for now.  But I can say that the gameplay appears to be like every other Dynasty Warriors game I've played (and at this point, that's a lot).  It makes you wonder if they're ever really going to upgrade their engine/graphics/camera.  Here are some screenshots, in case anyone is interested. 
 

Gallery

I finally got into the Dynasty Warriors Online beta late last night after trying (and failing) to log-in periodically throughout the day.  I only played briefly, so I'll withhold most judgment for now.  But I can say that the gameplay appears to be like every other Dynasty Warriors game I've played (and at this point, that's a lot).  It makes you wonder if they're ever really going to upgrade their engine/graphics/camera.  Here are some screenshots, in case anyone is interested. 
 

Gallery

" I'm probrably the lone person in the world who enjoy's Dynasty Warriors "

I'm in America, and also in the closed beta due to the beta key I received from the GamesRadar giveaway.
 
And so far, I'm kinda having fun with it. I mean, it's Dynasty Warriors. I've gotten to the point where I'm able to do more than just training missions, but rather missions under the general I'm assigned to as well as the shopkeepers in the market and people in the tavern.

I guess it would be kinda neat to play with others.  What's the player cap for missions?

" I guess it would be kinda neat to play with others.  What's the player cap for missions? "

Im in the beta and ive played a little. So far ive discovered that its Dynasty Warriors except online...not exactly a large revelation but I havent seen many changes. Im hoping some of my friends got into since it would be fun to play with a bunch of friends but as a single player game its lacking so far since its just Dynasty Warriors and I own that already 2/3 times over.

Do they have the strategic elements they've been working into some of these games lately?  I hear those are general improvements in the variation of the gameplay.  
 
I wrote an article about the old Dynasty Warriors formula on my blog just recently and how it could be changed, even if I stray from the Dynasty Warriors theme, but I didn't go into the camera and graphics too much.
 
Right now I'd worry more about keeping 4 people in the game without lagging and popping.  Maybe once they optimize the system they'll upgrade it, and they'll add some of the features from that plethora of different versions.  I'm curious what version of the item system they're using.  Some have been better than others.  What's nice is, with an online system they can add to the formula without making you buy a new disc in the hopes that THIS will be the game that improves the old formula substantially.

I..um...maybe that could be a good idea?

Thus far, I have mixed feelings.  I'm only at the point where you're smashing other player's faces repeatedly in PvP;  if you happen to know of something else I could be doing, tell me.  As it stands, I think it's fun but repetitive.

Seeing as you're fighting other people now, I can't imagine its any more or less mindless than your typical MMO. But if they left out claiming bases and that whole mechanic, I don't really know how the game would work. My image of the game is people choosing one of 3 sides and regularly fighting over and taking territories.