With Ancient China as the backdrop, Romance of the Three Kingdoms®IX (RTKIX) chronicles the dramatic events of the 2nd and 3rd centuries when the once grand empire fell into civil war. While retaining many of the features that have become hallmarks of the Romance games, RTKIX is vastly different from previous games in the series. Most notable is that you immediately assume rank of a Ruler. Traditionally reserved as the highest rank in the series, the role of Ruler will test your leadership, management and strategy skills.

Features

• The New Personality Dependent System affects an officer’s response to your commands.
• RTK IX’s enhanced Officer Development System allows you to use points to increase officer abilities and skills or further an officer’s development by giving special items.
• One map displays all of China! New display shows capital, troop movements, geography, enemy strongholds, and more all on a single map.
• 15 Historical, 5 Fictional, and 5 Challenge scenarios, with multiple story endings and epilogues
• Set troop formations to activate over 30 different tactics.
• Use diplomacy while under attack, shift strategies in combat or ally with foreign tribes.
• Build towers or set traps to hold back invasions.
• Use save data from Dynasty Warriors®4, DW4XL or Dynasty Tactics™ 2 to obtain a new officer.
• Soundtrack performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.
• Character-specific events and clear bonuses
• 34 special event sequences
• 1-8 Players! Play with up to 8 characters at once
• Updated Tutorial System, hidden features and more

Game Objective and Basics

Become a Ruler in the era of the Three Kingdoms and strive to unify China!
The player takes on the role of a Ruler. A Ruler is the head of a force. Each force is comprised of a number of districts. Each district governs at least one city. In case there is only one district, that district is the entire force. Your goal is to expand your power base by issuing orders to your subordinates and invading other cities. Once you have expanded sufficiently, you will be able to form numerous districts and allow your officers to manage these new territories. The key to victory is to know the strengths and weaknesses of the officers beneath you, and assigning them the tasks that suit each one best.

New! Challenge Scenarios

RTKIX includes a collection of short scenarios based upon famous episodes from the Three Kingdoms, and events based on hypothetical circumstances such as:

• The Defense of Nan Yang - The elite forces of Cao Cao are closing in on Wan. What fate shall befall the isolated forces of Zhang Xiu
• The Fires of Chi Bi – The greatest battle of the Three Kingdoms. Will the terrible flames of history be rekindled
• Commander Yuan Shao - Gather a coalition of mighty heroes and defeat the tyrant, Dong Zhou!

Each scenario must be cleared within a given time limit, by completing a set of specific victory conditions. Players will receive a reward for clearing certain scenarios.

New Personality Dependent System

Each officer has his own personality. A military unit’s actions will change depending on the personality of the unit’s commander. For example, if the commander is reckless, wild and passionate, the unit will often take unauthorized, combative action. On the other hand, a unit lead by a thoughtful, yet overly cautious officer will sometimes defy orders and retreat.

New! The Rules of Tactics, Military Formations and Chains

Tactics are the special skills of an officer. RTKIX includes nine types of tactics, raging from Foot to Schemes. New tactics can be learned by using tactics in battle, earning tactics experience, or by training. Tactics will trigger automatically based on terrain, current circumstances, and an officer’s position in military formation.
Now in RTKIX, players can assign officers to and control the formations used by a military unit. If officers with the same tactic are placed in the same unit, there is a chance that the tactics will chain. Chaining tactics will cause massive damage to an enemy. For example, a player can position an officer with a Scheme type tactic in a unit. A Scheme will cause the enemy to become Confused or Disrupted, then that could trigger Foot, Horse, Bow or Navy tactics. Furthermore, Highly compatible officers, officers with strong bonds, also have a higher chance of chaining tactics.

Plots and Diplomacy

In RTKIX, players can use plots to spread rumors among enemy forces, raze enemy strongholds, or raid an enemy facility and steal gold. To the contrary, players can carry out diplomatic negotiations with other forces by sending gifts of gold or food, or negotiate the release of a captured officer.

Expanded Information

RTKIX’s combat takes place at a much higher tempo than previous games. Players can handle political and military affairs at the same time, and as a result use diplomacy while under attack or shift strategies against enemy units in the midst of combat.

Foreign tribes now play a pivotal force and can help players protect their dominion. The “Wuwan”, “Xi Qing”, “Shanyue”, and “Nanman” tribes have powerful armies, yet refrain from expanding their territories. Build relations with a tribe, and they may aid you in battle. Declare war against a tribe and they may attack.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms IX is developed by KOEI’s internal studios and is produced by Kou Shibusawa, who’s previous credits include: the Nobunaga’s Ambition™ series, Crimson Sea™, the Winning Post™ series, the P.T.O.™ series, and the Kessen™ series.