Dynasty Warriors details Xu Sheng, Cao Pi, Zhenji, Xingcai, Zhang Bao, Wang Yuanji, and Sima Zhao, new actions
Introducing Flow, React, and Trigger attacks.
Koei Tecmo has updated the official website for Dynasty Warriors 9 with information and screenshots of new playable officer Xu Sheng, returning officers Cao Pi, Zhenji, Xingcai, Zhang Bao, Wang Yuanji, and Sima Zhao, and the game’s new actions.
Get the details below.
■ Characters
◆ Wei
Zhenji (voiced by Yuuko Sumitomo)
Zhenji is a true Femme Fatale. She has skin as smooth as a gem and a face as lovely as a flower. After Cao Cao subjugates Ji Province, his son, Cao Pi, meets this lovely lady and takes her to be his wife. She loves music and song, but is difficult to approach due to her cold, distant personality and majestic, dignified manner.
Cao Pi (voiced by Nobutoshi Canna)
Son of Cao Cao, King of Wei, he was destined from birth to inherit his father’s ambition. While he has the capability and potential to unify the next generation, the environment in which he was raised and his high level of intelligence led him to be cold and often condescending at times. He excels at remaining calm and evaluating the situation, no matter what that may be, so that he may respond appropriately.
◆ Wu
Xu Sheng (voiced by Tarusuke Shingaki)
A Wu commander who serves Sun Quan. After Sun Quan succeeded his older brother Sun Ce, Xu Sheng was invited to become his retainer when he was searching for talented men. Xu Sheng participated in campaigns such as the Battle of Red Cliffs, the capture of Hefei, and the capture of Jingzhou. He served long on the front lines, such as when Cao Pi attacked Wu, after which he drove away the Wei army by erecting a fake castle and walls.
◆ Shu
Xingcai (voiced by Junko Noda)
Daughter of Zhang Fei. Born in chaotic times, she grows up surrounded by the mighty warriors that follow Liu Bei, and chooses to learn how to fight. She decides that protecting Liu Bei’s son, Liu Shan, is her role in life. Unlike her father, she is calm and never lets her emotions get away from her.
Zhang Bao (voiced by Daisuke Sakaguchi)
Son of Zhang Fei. He is just as skilled in battle as his father. He is very responsible and enjoys taking care of others. He also takes part in many battles in the Northern Campaign together with his brother-in-law, Guan Xing.
◆ Jin
Wang Yuanji (voiced by Kanae Itou)
Daughter of the Wei minister Wang Su. From her youth, she shows both intelligence and courage. She is extremely polite and kind to people weaker than she. But to those she considers family, she speaks her mind without holding back.
Sima Zhao (voiced by Daisuke Kishio)
Second son of Sima Yi. Compared to his perfect brother, he is viewed as being somewhat lacking by those around him. He has a playful and happy-go-lucky personality, but never loses track of what is vital in important situations.
■ New Actions
The “musou action” cultivated by the Dynasty Warriors series has been significantly reformed for Dynasty Warriors 9.
The game features the new “State Combo System,” through which you can unleash various actions depending on the state of the enemy, and “Interactive Actions,” which you can take based on objects on the field and changes in terrain. Both of these systems will enable you to enjoy even more exhilarating “musou action” with a greater level of freedom.
State Combo System
The exhilarating feeling of one-versus-thousands action experience through simple controls is still present in Dynasty Warriors 9, but a new system is in place that enables you to assemble various actions through the use of “Flow Attacks,” which change based on the state of the enemy, “React Attacks,” which create a favorable situation for you, and “Trigger Attacks,” which are the starting point for combos.
For example: “Guard Break (React Attack)” → “Consecutive Attacks (Flow Attacks)” → “Launch (Trigger Attack)” → “Pursuit Attack (Flow Attack)” → “Ground Strike (React Attack),” and so on. By switching between these three types of attacks to cope with various situations, you can enjoy endless freedom of action.
—Flow Attack (Square Button)
An attack that changes based on the state of the enemy. It includes standard attacks, aerial situations, downed states, and the so on. Flow Attacks can be used to hit enemies with a lot of damage through quick, consecutive attacks.
—React Attack (Triangle Button)
An attack that changes based on timing, as well as the state of the player and the enemy. React Attacks can be used to create a favorable situation for the player.
React Attacks include:
- Counter Attack – An attack triggered against an enemy that is trying to commence an attack.
- Separation Attack – An attack that pushes a nearby enemy away.
- Dash Attack – An attack that instantly closes the gap with a distant enemy.
- Knock Down Attack – An attack that knocks an airborne enemy down to the ground.
- Guard Repel Attack – An attack triggered against a guarding enemy, which breaks their guard.
- Surprise Attack – An attack that instantly draws you to the enemy to deal big damage when they have yet to discover your presence.
- Finishing Attack – An attack that triggered when a certain amount of damage is dealt to the enemy. It can reliably defeat the target enemy.
—Trigger Attack
An attach that changes the state of the enemy. Unleash combos to your satisfaction by connecting it to a Flow Attack after an attack hits.
Trigger Attacks include:
- R1 + Square – Stuns an enemy for a fixed period of time.
- R1 + Triangle – Launches an enemy into the air.
- R1 + X – Downs an enemy.
—Special Technique (R1 + Circle)
A special attack unique to each officer.
Interactive Actions
Perform various actions based on the objects on the field and changes in terrain (such as coming across a river).
These include movement-related actions such as “using a grappling hook to climb a wall” and “swimming in a big river,” as well as other actions ike “exploding an oil container with a fire arrow,” “using the wall for a triangular jump,” and even “fishing at the waterfront.”
Interactive Actions further increase the level of freedom offered to players on the field.
Dynasty Warriors 9 will launch for PlayStation 4 in Japan, and for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in North America and Europe. A release window has yet to be announced for any region.
