Dynasty Warriors 4 builds upon its predecessors by introducing new characters, additional modes of play, and an entirely new 'Edit Mode.'[5] Unlike previous installments, officers in the game exhibit more dynamic reactions to battlefield events, offering a more responsive experience for players.
In Dynasty Warriors 4, the primary objective of most stages is to defeat the enemy commander. Players navigate through the stage, engaging enemy officers and troops while safeguarding their own commander.[6] Some stages feature secondary objectives that, when completed, can ease the stage's difficulty, unlock new features, or provide assistance in subsequent stages. Each playable character possesses a unique weapon and distinctive superhuman abilities. The expansive scope of each stage allows for the presence of thousands of soldiers on the battlefield. The game employs a relatively straightforward combination system, enabling players to chain attacks together, with the maximum possible attack combo capped at 10. Character designs and attack moves are updated, inflicting more damage and facilitating character skill advancement.[7]
In Dynasty Warriors 4, players initially control officers such as Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu for the Shu Kingdom; Xiahou Dun, Cao Cao, and Xiahou Yuan for the Wei Kingdom; and Sun Shang Xiang, Huang Gai, and Sun Jian for the Wu Kingdom. Additional characters from different kingdoms can be unlocked, and players have the option to use a custom-created character in any campaign. The new 'Edit Mode' permits players to design an officer using various features, motions, and weapons for use in 'Kaiba Mode.' The character's stance and motion are influenced by their gender and selected weapon. Weapon motions are sourced from existing officers and two characters absent from Dynasty Warriors 4 but present in Dynasty Warriors 3: Fu Xi and Nu Wa.[8] Some characters are unlocked by meeting optional side-goals, while most are unlocked by completing specific battles during gameplay. The game offers a maximum of 42 playable characters, or 46 including created characters.
In Dynasty Warriors 4, each playable character can equip items to enhance their abilities. Weapons are obtained through leveling up rather than being directly acquired as in previous iterations. Some items are exclusive to particular stages and are only obtainable upon completing specific objectives. These objectives vary in difficulty, ranging from straightforward to more challenging to discern. Experience points are earned by defeating enemy generals and lieutenants, with the amount awarded varying based on the difficulty of each opponent and the total number defeated. This experience is distributed at the end of each level, allowing players to improve their character's attributes or unlock new abilities. Each playable officer can reach nine levels with their standard weapon, with a tenth level accessible through special in-game conditions or on the "Hard" difficulty setting. Items can provide various effects such as increasing attack power, defense, and movement speed. Health can be restored by consuming "Chinese Meatbuns," resembling onions, which are commonly found throughout the game. Temporary skill boosts are also available through item pickups, allowing for increased effectiveness in certain abilities for a limited duration. Additionally, packs of wine and Chinese Meatbuns can be discovered at specific locations during gameplay.[9] In Dynasty Warriors 4, players can unlock special items by achieving specific objectives during gameplay. These items offer various benefits, including stat boosts, unique abilities or skills, and the ability to ride mounts such as elephants or horses.[10]
In 'Musou Mode,' the primary campaign mode of Dynasty Warriors 4, separate campaigns are available for each kingdom instead of having a unique 'Musou Mode' for each character, as seen in Dynasty Warriors 3. This adjustment simplifies the process for players to unlock their preferred characters.[11] In 'Musou Mode,' although the storyline follows a linear progression, there is a degree of open-endedness. Depending on the player's actions, various events unfold, such as unlocking new characters or kingdoms. The unlockable kingdoms encompass the Wu, Shu, and Wei Kingdoms, with additional characters drawn from the pages of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the book upon which the game series is based.