Koei Tecmo has updated the official website for Dynasty Warriors 9 with information and screenshots of new playable officer Cao Xiu, returning officers Xun Yu, Zhu Ran, Jiang Wei, Yueying, Wen Yang, and Zhuge Dan, and details on the open world.

Get the details below.

■ Characters

◆ Wei

Cao Xiu (voiced by Takuya Satou)

Cao Cao’s nephew. When Cao Cao first raised his flag, he traveled from the far-off Wu District to join him. For this, Cao Cao praised him, saying “He is my clan’s 1000-Ii (league) Horse.” After losing his father at a young age, Cao Cao took him in as a new son.

Xun Yu (voiced bby Takashi Oohara)

A strategist who helped Cao Cao pursue his path of ambition, he was known as the “King’s Gifted Adviser” due to the brilliant strategies and advice he provided on a regular basis. In addition, his keen insight and wide network of acquaintances made him a skilled evaluator of people and he discovered many capable officers.

◆ Wu

Zhu Ran (voiced by Tetsuya Kakihara)

An officer who was a classmate of Sun Quan’s, he was promoted within the Wu ranks. Although young, he distinguished himself in the suppression of a group of mountain bandits and during the Battle of Ruxukou. An officer entrusted with the future of Wu, those around him had high expectations for his potential.

◆ Shu

Jiang Wei (voiced by Hisayoshi Suganuma)

A young officer often referred to as the Prodigy of Tianshui. Successor to Zhuge Liang, he was entrusted with all of his strategies and led numerous campaigns against Wei after the Battle of Wuzhang Plains. He supported Shu until the very end with his steadfastness and strong sense of responsibility.

Yueying

Wife of Zhuge Liang, daughter of Huang Chengyan. She chose to fight as a way to support her husband and execute his strategies. Not only was she an able fighter, but she was also well versed in astronomy, geography, strategy, and other fields of learning and continually aided Zhuge Liang from the shadows. Her natural grace gave her a commanding presence on the field of battle.

◆ Jin

Wen Yang (voiced by Yuuki Ono)

Son of the Wei officer, Wen Qin. He had unprecedented courage and valor in battle, and his accomplishments on the battlefield were reminiscent of those of the great Zhao Yun.

Zhuge Dan (voiced by Takuya Kirimoto)

A member of the Zhuge Family. While Zhuge Liang was “the Dragon” and Zhuge Jin was “the Tiger,” this young officer was jokingly called “the Dog.” Through hard work, he gained a high reputation for his service to Wei. He was extremely serious and had a strong sense of right and wrong, but he had trouble considering the big picture as his focus was very narrow.

■ System

◆ Open World

Freely Explore the Land of China: A New Experience of Roaming Around an Expansive Field

By exploring the expansive field, players can enjoy a variety of elements that can only be experienced in an open world game such as sudden small scale battles between forces; obtaining materials through hunting and fishing; encountering various animals; and discovering famous landmarks of China.

Visiting cities and villages located throughout the field will allow for buying and / or selling weapons and items, as well as obtaining useful information from villagers.

Players can freely roam throughout China, enjoying various encounters and scenery while proceeding through the game.

—By hunting certain animals encountered, players can obtain materials for accessories that will help strengthen the player officer.

—At times dangerous carnivorous beasts are encountered. Though they are formidable beasts, defeat them to obtain materials for accessories.

—Fishing along the rivers can provide materials such as food.

—Famous structures such as the Great Wall of China can be found.

—Along the way are villages in need of help.

—When “waymarks” situated on the field are touched, they will show the location of landmarks in the surrounding area.

Cities and Villages

Horses can be purchased at stables. Players will want to find the right steed to travel effectively across far distances.

Ancient money found on the fields can be exchanged for valuable items at the Coin Collector.

At the Blacksmith, weapons can be bought and sold, and weapons and items can be created here using obtained materials. The material requirements are written on scrolls, which can be earned as rewards from missions.

–A chance to meet famous officers in informal clothes!?

Famous officers may appear in cities and villages dressed in informal clothes, showing different sides of these officers separate from their common battlefield wear, as well as the chance for unique conversations.

Each famous officer will have an informal outfit, so seek out each officer by visiting cities and villages on a regular basis!