Friendly armies can no longer pass through one another and must maneuver their men around. Movement is different in this installment as armies can be individually controlled by the player through the analog stick. Unless the player orders them to do otherwise, each general will carry out their missions according to the chosen strategy. Strategies can also implement traps, ambushes, and various deceptions to ruin the foe on the field. However, their placement can be determined based on the strategy chosen. Units for each army are predetermined and cannot be changed. Generally, three generals from the army will report on the enemy's position, the conditions for victory and defeat, and a strategy to win the day. Story cutscenes take place before and after this stage.īattle planning stage. Some policies' effects can only be seen in battle. Other strategies can damage the opposing army's morale or supplies. Envoys can also be sent to add a general to the army's ranks. Suggestions range from farming for more supplies, killing beasts to increase fame, or inventing new weapons for battle. Three generals propose an idea for the army to carry out and the player is asked to choose one. The time when the leaders can check on their army's status based on troop strength, supplies, and technology. Additionally, losing the last story battle depicts the "bad ending" of the game.Īs before, the game is basically split into three sections. If either scenario is finished on Hard, a bonus battle will be unlocked after the last stage and the accompanying cinematics are basically the game's epilogue. Though the results of the battles generally remain the same, extra characters or troops can be unlocked based on the path the player chooses. It happens twice in Shu and once in Wei's scenario. Each story has a time when it experiences a three way split simultaneously, asking the player to choose one to follow. Once both stories are cleared, the player can choose to replay either scenario on a harder setting.
Directly following Shu's ending, Cao Cao becomes the main hero on Normal difficulty. Players begin the game on Easy with Liu Bei's story. There is no other way." Knowing the true message behind his oracle, Cao Cao kidnaps Diao Chan months later to learn the Imperial Seal's location. The woman of destiny will change your fate. Himiko foretold his fortune as "The Mandate of Heaven is with you. He meets Liu Bei's army on the battlefield and they share a shaky alliance. Though enemy troops may surrender to him, he refuses to allow them mercy. Losing his mother from childhood, the once gentle Cao Cao forged himself to be a cruel tyrant bent on world conquest.
Barely escaping with his life and only having a handful of loyal men by his side, Liu Bei declares war to save his beloved. The woman of destiny brings ruin." Months later, Cao Cao attacked Liu Bei at the capital to kidnap Diao Chan. His oracle read, "Heaven is beyond grasp. Diao Chan, Liu Bei's lover, was also asked to attend. On whim during their victory banquet, the two generals have their fortunes read by a prophet named Himiko. While fighting to defend his home, Liu Bei is saved by Cao Cao's timely reinforcements. The child emperor, lacking both the power and the experience to manage royal affairs, entrusts the Imperial seal, the symbol of the Mandate, to one woman. Thus begins the turbulent age of rival warlords. Throughout the land, catastrophes abound, rebellions multiply the divine rule falls. The sun is setting on the Han Empire, which has reveled for 400 years of prosperity. Calming this disharmony is the mission of the one who is chosen by the Mandate.
When the Mandate is absent, kingdoms collapse and a turbulent age begins. The world of man is ruled by the Mandate of Heaven's Will. "All things are Yin or Yang, created from two essences. The following is taken from the game's prologue: