Battles have dramatically changed from previous titles in the series thanks to the new feature: “Storming the Castle”. With areas around castles now turned into battlefields, skirmishes evolve into “Storming the Castle” encounters, with players battling to take control of the castle. Players will also be able to utilize “Siege Battles with Troops” in order to invade the enemy’s base, taking advantage of siege weapons while giving instructions to troops during battle. Once players break through an enemy’s gate, they will enter a “Decisive Battle” and can claim victory after defeating the commander. Although all the enemy officers will re-join the battlefield for one last fierce resistance, players will have a chance to defeat and capture them.

Another element that will greatly influence battle will be “Secret Plans”. “Secret Plans” selected in the battle preparation phase will now be activated as missions during battles, with each “Secret Plan” having its own conditions for success and failure. Once the success conditions are fulfilled, favorable effects on allies will be activated including “capture surrounding bases”, “defeat messengers”, “escort the engineers”, and more. Each battle is highlighted by offense and defense centering on how to activate “Secret Plans”, providing a highly strategic battle experience. Conversely, enemies can also perform “Secret Plans”. By preventing the enemy's “Secret Plans”, players will gain an advantage in battle.

Army Affinity will also play a key role in Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires, with each officer’s unit having a military unit type assigned to them as a new officer characteristic. All three units will have their strengths and weaknesses: Infantry < Archer < Cavalry < Infantry. When a unit fights against opponents at an advantage, more damage can be given and the damage taken can be reduced. However, when a unit fights against opponents under disadvantages, the situation will be reversed. In addition, each military unit has its special effects: Infantry can attack siege weapons more effectively, Cavalry can cause more damage to enemy headquarters, and Archer can perform simultaneous attacks.

It’s one thing to defeat an enemy through sheer force. Quite another to defeat them through political manipulation and intrigue.

Koei Tecmo and developer Omega Force revealed even more details behind the political curtain of Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires, a strategic battle experience poised to deliver action both on the battlefield and in the war room, as players vie for control of ancient China.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires adds tactical elements to the 1 vs. 1,000 action of Koei Tecmo’s revered Dynasty Warriors series, enabling gamers to use the Politics System to their advantage in order to achieve greatness throughout their quest to conquer the map. In order to strengthen the military through the use of politics, players will be able to execute domestic affairs commands in order to procure the resources necessary for battles, such as gold, food, and troops. Players will also be able to recruit and hire new officers by conducting political commands, stealing valuable officers like Zhang He from a rival kingdom. Different from DW8 Empires, however, is the fact that only officers whom players assign to a certain town can participate in an invasion battle from or a defensive battle at that town, therefore, it will be more effective to recruit as many officers as possible in order to gain an advantage.

Earning the trust of these officers is also vitally important. When players have earned the trust of officers, officers will propose a variety of secret plans while players are preparing for battle. If players use the secret plan an officer suggests, they can further increase the trust of that officer. This trust pays off on the battlefield, as typically during battle, players can only give orders directly to officers who are lower in rank. However, if they have earned enough trust, players can then give orders to officers who are higher in rank. Ally officers will also conduct commands. If players execute the same command of an officer, they can activate a coordination bonus. The higher the trust, the greater the effect, and special conversations can be activated. 

In addition, a new strategic element, ‘territory stroll’, has been implemented, enabling players to explore China while at the same time deepening relationships with officers. By interacting with officers, players will be able to earn their trust, seeing a different side of each character through interactions that include dining and fulfilling special requests. Players will also be able to recruit unaffiliated officers during strolls, and there are special unaffiliated officers that can be recruited only after the player has taken a stroll. While strolling, players will even be able to take photos in the familiar DW9 Photo Mode, allowing fans to designate everything from camera angles and time of day to the weather in every breathtaking shot.

Adding to the heightened look of the characters throughout Photo Mode and beyond is the new ability to layer armor on top of clothing in the character editor. Previously, armor and clothes were of one set, and there were separate informal clothes. However, in DYNASTY WARRIORS 9 Empires, armor can now be placed on top of clothes, meaning that, in battle, officers will wear armor, but depending on the setting, armor can be removed and informal clothes can be seen in special events such as a stroll or a wedding

Aside from battle, the political intrigue and domestic system popular to the Empires series will also be included. Following the kingdom goals set once every half year, the kingdom a player belongs to strives to unify China. Each month, players will be able to give commands to search for new officers to join the kingdom, purchase arrows and items, and execute a variety of military, economic and diplomatic commands depending on the player’s position.

Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires is coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam) on Feb. 15, 2022.