Omega Force, it seems, is one the busiest video game developers in Japan. When not beavering away at sequels and spin-offs, they can be found porting existing games to other platforms or working on entirely new projects altogether. It’s a well oiled machine, fuelled by the enduring popularity of its Warriors franchise. What began as a fairly unknown 3D fighter from back in the days of the original PlayStation has branched into one of the industry’s most widely known brands, attracting licenses such as Gundam, Dragon Quest, and of course, One Piece.

For newcomers to the series, you can happily dismiss the number in this game’s title. Although it’s called One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3, this latest instalment in the series is as good a place as any to get stuck in. You don’t even have to be familiar with the characters or source material. It’s all here, from start to finish – spanning every one of the manga and anime series’ twenty-seven story arcs.

That might sound overwhelming, but Omega Force has done a decent job in laying out every major event and set piece in the One Piece timeline. With thousands of manga pages and hours of animation to condense, some minor details slip through the cracks, with entire episodes from the show relegated to mere footnotes within the many pre-mission briefings. It may leave some fans disappointed, but it helps to push the story along, bringing new locations and characters in a sound pace.

Even today, the setting and characters are just as alluring as they were more than a decade ago. Our story begins with the execution of fabled pirate, Gol D. Roger. Embracing his inevitable demise, the notorious captain uses his final words to declare to the world that his treasure, One Piece, is out there on the open sea and ready for the taking. As the executioner’s blades descend, so starts the Golden Age of Pirates.

With untold riches awaiting them, thousands scramble to the call, cobbling together crews and ships in hope of finding One Piece. Luffy, the series’ loud-mouthed protagonist, is one of the many wannabes out there, but unlike most of the competition, he has a rare ability. Upon eating one of several rare Devil Fruits, he gains the power to manipulate his body into all manner of shapes, effectively becoming indestructible. Think Mr. Fantastic but much cooler and just a little bit unhinged.

Starting with the dramatic rescue of famed bounty hunter, Roronoa Zoro, the story mode in Pirate Warriors 3 will guide you through the entire plot. Each major chapter in the saga becomes its own chronological mission, presented in the form of pitched battles. Here’s where the overlap with Dynasty Warriors makes itself known.

After selecting which crew member to play as, you’ll be dropped into the heart of a raging conflict between warring pirate factions. Although missions can vary in size, the main objective is usually the same, to mow down hundreds of enemies before moving on to a boss encounter. Occasionally, you’ll be commanded to escort ally heroes and capture bases, yet these are nothing more than diversions, as are the pool of secondary missions available during each mission.

It’s this lack of imagination when it comes to level design that has been letting Omega Force and its games down for years now. When fighting over on one side of the battlefield, the developer plays its same, age-old trick of urgently calling players to different location. This constant need to yo-yo between objectives gives each mission a false sense of longevity.

Gameplay, on the other hand, is as fun and accessible as ever. Although the “button-masher” accolade had been well and truly earned, nothing tops the thrill of leaping into your first Warriors battle and watching as the bodies start to fly.

Compared to the mainline Warriors series, Pirate Warriors 3 has a few nuances at play. Perhaps the most notable is the game’s buddy system, allowing players to build an affinity with fellow crew members before unleashing devastating synchronised attacks. Even the everyday square and triangle combos are given flare thanks to great animation work and effects. For example, Luffy will often contort himself into a weapon, before flailing through entire mobs of enemy pirates.

For the most part, you can mindlessly hammer your way from one side of a map to the other, racking up hundreds, if not thousands of knock-outs in the process. Boss battles require a little more attention, however. Just like you, they have a repertoire of moves at their disposal. To overcome their threat, you will need to wait for a stun icon to appear before making your attack, otherwise you could see your health bar decimated.

In between missions, you are free to spend any booty found along the way. While general currency can be exchanged for experience and bonus content, there are other, rarer, coins that can be used to boost individual stats such as health, defence, and attack power. There are a couple of other progression mechanics thrown in there too, coming together to creating something that offers both reward and substance.

Apart from the level design and the inevitable boredom that comes in tow, the only other aspect of Pirate Warriors 3 I took issue with was the audio. The soundtrack fittingly combines familiar tunes with high octane guitar tracks, but once again western fans are left without the option for English voice over. This absence has become a recent trend in the Warriors series and one that not all fans have warmed to. Although acceptable during cutscenes, when in battle, averting one’s eyes away from the on-screen action to read translations begins to grate after some time.

Despite this being my first Pirate Warrios game, my years of experience with Warriors titles goes back to its reincarnation as a 3D action brawler. After all these years, there’s something refreshing about Pirate Warriors 3. Although familiar, the combat takes on a new feeling thanks to the change in setting. That said, I’m sure those who have played previous One Piece adaptations won’t get that same sensation.

Score: 7/10

Version tested: PS4