Dynasty Wars

Dynasty Wars is a lateral-scrolling arcade beat-'em-up set during China's Three Kingdoms Era and based on the Tenchi o Kurau manga adaptation. Players ride on horseback while battling infantry, archers, and stage-ending bosses.

Warriors and Combat

Four historical characters are available: Zhang Fei with a halberd, Liu Bei with a broadsword, Guan Yu with a guan dao, and Zhao Yun with a pike. They differ in health and strength. The player can move in four directions, and attacks become more powerful when the fire button is held while the weapon is drawn back to build momentum.

Tactics and Power-Ups

Special tactics unleash powerful area attacks, but consume the protagonist's HP. These include summoning an ambush partner and sending rocks down slopes. Treasure increases score, food restores health, yellow orbs provide experience that raises vitality after a stage, and blue orbs improve weapon power.

The game was released for arcade and a range of home computer and console platforms, including Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, PC Engine CD, and ZX Spectrum.