You play the role of Ieyasu Tokugawa, one of the preeminent generals who opposes Hideyoshi's son. Your goal is to unite Japan under your command, and once that is accomplished, players will get the opportunity to play the game as the antagonist, Ishida Mitsunari. Mitsunari leads the Toyotomi clan, as Hideyoshi's son is a mere babe. Luckily, KOEI uses cinema scenes and voiceovers well to keep this winding storyline from overwhelming the player. To reach a wider audience, KOEI has opted to simplify their usual famously detailed gameplay.
Battles then proceed in real time.
At first glance, the battle map isn't particularly awe-inspiring, but it's quite effective thanks to easily used navigation and command systems. With the battle underway, you can zoom in to soldier level and watch the chaos unfold first hand. The AI is quite realistic, as troop maneuvers evolve and shift based on unfolding events. Your enemy will rely on a hodgepodge of attacks, from war stratagems to calling reinforcements. Despite the obvious masses of soldiers, battles are often won or lost on subtle tactical nuances.