Unifying the classic, time-tested “one versus thousands” action iconic to the Warriors series with a variety of new features, characters and content in an expansive open world environment, Dynasty Warriors 9 aims to deliver the most immersive and ambitious experience to date.

In Dynasty Warriors 9, players will explore China as it existed when feudal warlords vied for dominance over the land – the waning days of the Han dynasty and emergence of the Three Kingdoms era. Setting out to complete various objectives, players will utilize an unprecedented world map to navigate and traverse a variety of different landscapes ranging from vast plains to snow-covered peaks presented with dynamic day/night and weather cycles. Exploring these impressive environments is made more engaging through the ability to adapt to surroundings to gain an upper hand in battle, with players able to use equipment to circumvent obstacles or blend in to avoid conflict.

The sweeping new narrative of Dynasty Warriors 9 is portrayed across the game’s Critical Missions and Regular Missions which intertwine to allow players to experience history across a multitude of perspectives and battles throughout the whole of China. 83 characters from the Dynasty Warriors series make their return in addition to new faces such as Cheng Pu, a long-term retainer who supported three generations of the Sun family and contributed to the expansion and stability of the Wu kingdom.

The game introduces exhilarating new combat mechanics with the State Combo System. This new system allows players to perform 3 different attack styles – Trigger Attacks, Flow Attacks and Finish Attacks – each dealing progressively more damage and aiming to create a thrilling and fluid experience unlike any previous entry in the franchise.

In Dynasty Warriors 9, roaming off the beaten path opens up greater experiences outside of the main story line - allowing powerful enemies to appear and challenge players with their advanced abilities and skills. These formidable opponents come in the form of humans; such as bandits, or beasts; such as wolves, which will provide additional valuable items or materials as a reward upon defeat. It may be tempting to take on these foes to gain the plethora of takings, but the situation should be carefully assessed – as fleeing from battle may be the safer option.

One skill warriors can complete to prepare for tough encounters is cooking. By visiting a teahouse, or the player’s own hideaway, materials such as meat and vegetables can be used to prepare a meal that will grant temporary boosts to their characters. Dynasty Warriors 9’s new boosts offer various effects including, but not limited to; increased experience, strength, defense, speed and jump abilities. Devouring a hearty meal ahead of an important battle is a surefire way to turn the tide of battle in the player’s favor. During a player’s stay at these locations, they not only have the option to cook and eat food to earn an advantage in battle, they can manipulate the time of day (morning, noon, dusk, night) by advancing it to speed up their health recovery.

Another way of ensuring an edge in battle is through crafting new weaponry. These new weapons are crafted through scrolls – useful items which detail the required materials for a player to collect. To unlock the abilities to craft weapons, the required scrolls for each weapon must be collected; with some weapon’s blueprints split across multiple scrolls. Players are rewarded scrolls upon completing missions or by defeating certain enemies, which will unlock a weapon which can only be crafted at a blacksmith. Gems and accessories can also be crafted, which provide substantial boosts to the player. Gems are also found throughout the world and are used in the weapon’s forging process to provide additional effects – including a variety of different elemental abilities.

When exploring Dynasty Warriors 9’s vast world map, players are able to call on their noble steed to help them quickly traverse long distances. At the start, your horse will have relatively limited abilities, which can then be enhanced through riding experience via long distances or fighting on horseback. Starting abilities also differ according to the horse’s mane, thus two horses of the same species can grow in experience at completely different rates. New horses can also be unlocked and purchased at stables, all starting at different skill levels and ready for development.

KOEI TECMO also announced further details to the bonus content available to fans who pre-order Dynasty Warriors 9 through the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store starting on January 29th. Those purchasing the standard version of the game are given access to 3 Avatars - Lu Bu, Zhou Tai and Wang Yuanji, a bonus weapon - the “Black Dragon Fang”, and the previously announced seven costumes for fan-favorite characters. The seven costumes are inspired by traditional Chinese undergarment styles and include an imposing Beijing Opera-style costume for Zhao Yun and six individualized costumes for Guan Yinping, Diaochan, Sun Shangxiang, Lu Lingqi, Wang Yi, and Wang Yuanji. On the other hand, those who purchase the digital deluxe version are offered all of the previously mentioned items from the standard version plus the season pass, which will grant access to all future DLC for the title, and three original Dynasty Warriors weapons: The Amethyst Iron Blade, The Crimson Ring Blade and The Jade Splendid Swords.

Closely following real historical events and figures, Dynasty Warriors 9 will have players experiencing the story of the Three Kingdoms by completing key and secondary events over ten riveting chapters – beginning with the Yellow Turban Rebellion and through the ultimate unification of China.

Whether players choose to follow the main storyline quests or spend time exploring the vast natural wonders of China – from the lush cedar woods and bamboo forests of Chengdu to the legendary Great Wall - the ongoing war will continue to rage along their journey. Skirmishes, clashes, special side missions, and larger scale conflicts can be engaged at the player’s will as they venture through far –reaching lands, allowing for a sense of freedom of choice for the player previously unfelt in previous Dynasty Warriors titles. These battles range from scouting missions to discover powerful enemy officers, to guerilla actions to subdue messengers and scouts, to outright sabotage on enemy supply troops; success in these combat engagements offer great rewards and have an effect on future battles’ difficulty.

Dynasty Warriors 9 will be released worldwide for PS4, Xbox One, and PC (via Steam) on February 13, 2018.