Koei's hack-and-slash series set in Japan's Warring States era spins off into the handheld market for the first time in Samurai Warriors: Chronicles. Developed exclusively for the 3DS, Samurai Warriors: Chronicles features a revamped "Story" mode that allows gamers to create their own character and guide him or her through the battlefields of feudal Japan, meeting and befriending 40 famous warriors from the era, including Nobunaga Oda and Yukimura Sanada. The game also features a new character-switching mechanic that lets players jump between four different warriors with a simple swipe of the touch screen.
Basic combat is handled through a combination of normal attacks and power attacks, but as gamers build up their Spirit Gauge they can deploy the Spirit Charge to break through enemy blocks and take on opposing officers. Characters also have individualized special skills that include power-ups, health recovery, and ranged attacks, and each character can also perform unbreakable combos by filling their Musou Gauge and performing a Musou Attack. A Morale system indicates which side is feeling confident in victory, and players who finish a stage with high morale earn rewards that include weapons, items, and improved character attributes. Multiplayer fans can use the 3DS's StreetPass feature to swap weapons with local friends and engage in four-on-four battles, while the SpotPass function lets gamers download additional playable levels at any wireless hotspot.