The first thing is that while Xtreme Legends is fun on it's own right, it's only when you have save data from Dynasty Warriors 7 or use the Mixjoy ability does the game truly become worth it. The majority of complaints people had for 7 are addressed here - the Wei soldier Pang De makes his return after being cut from Dynasty Warriors 6 and 7, and new Wei characters Guo Jia and Wany Yi make their debut. There is also more effort to declone various officers, with new EX weapons being introduced for Guo Jia, Wang Yi, Xiahou Dun, Zhao Yun, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
There is also the challenge of the new 'Nightmare' difficulty. Those who criticise Dynasty Warriors for being a one button game will be delighted to know with Nightmare Mode there's definitely no chance of one button mashing here, as even ordinary mook enemies deliver devastating damage on the unwary.
The main bulk of the action on Xtreme Legends occurs in Legend Mode. Building up your town and improving the items you get from the merchant with the more battles you do, it also focuses on the characters overlooked in Dynasty Warriors 7, with nearly everyone from Cai Wenji to Ma Dai getting their own legend scenarios and cutscenes. My only complaint is that while the 'Others' characters have their own specific legend levels, they do not have their own cutscenes, only making cameos in other cutscenes.
Xtreme Legends also sees the return of Challenge Mode, in which you have to pit your strength and wits in various challenges,ranging from trying to knock your opponents off the bridge to defeating all the generals you can within a certain time limit.
Overall though, while there is much to keep any Warriors fan happy as they grind up their characters and unlock everything, it is unlikely to convert any haters or people unfamiliar to the series. It is still a good game though.