The follow-up game to Dynasty Tactics provides the player with an expanded selection of different strategies to pick from and introduces some new characters and features.
The player, just like in the original game, assumes the character of one of three significant historical figures from ancient China: Cao Cao, Liu Bei, or Sun Ce. The warrior Lu Bu is now an available option. The choices the player makes and the events that take place throughout the game’s chapters affect the individual story arcs of each character, which in turn are affected by those choices and consequences. While competing against other players and attempting to achieve particular goals within a predetermined amount of turns, the player is responsible for the organization and movement of his officers and troops around the board.
The game replaces the map with a separate screen that focuses solely on the action taking place on the battlefield when combat commences. The combat concept is similar to that of the board game chess. The player takes turns moving the different units across the battlefield to get them into a position where they may execute unique tactics. In an ideal scenario, this will lead to powerful combos that not only destroy hostile units but also have a chance of capturing the principal officers of the opposing faction, who then become playable characters (there are over 200 in total).
Additionally, one must consider both the troops’ morale and the terrain. Engineers, for instance, can construct helpful installations such as supply depots because of their unit type and position in the army. Other units have varying capabilities as well. In addition to the link command that was carried over from the previous game, army strategists can also order chains to hold down hostile units and contribute to the accumulation of greater combo totals. These make it possible for individual officers to carry out many tactics (assuming that the prerequisites are met for each), but they come at the expense of morale.
In addition, there is a mode for two players to compete against one another in which random battles occur.
