Dynasty Warriors 7/Conquest Mode

Conquest Mode (クロニクルモード, Chronicle Mode) in Dynasty Warriors 7 is the free roam gameplay feature. Two players can participate in this mode together using either two controllers or through online methods. Various characters, weapons, events, cinematics, and endings are exclusively featured in this mode. Characters in the Other faction are only playable within this mode. Each playable character found within Conquest Mode stars in two or three Legendary Modes, or Gaidens, specially dedicated to them.

The style in which this mode takes place is not unlike the general layout for the Strikeforce titles. First, the player chooses their character of choice before entering a particular episode. Episodes are represented as pentagon icons on a flat grid, meaning there are several optional stories for the player to try. Once an episode is selected, the player can then choose to wander in one or two sections:


 * Capital City - lets the player explore a city to talk to various characters. If desired, the player may also chat with characters from the series and participate in various conversations. Within the town, the player can talk in the following places.
 * Weapon store - players can purchase weapons here. Available weapons change based on the player's progress through the mode.
 * Local blacksmith - if the player has enough money, they can alter and customize weapons and their Effects currently in their character's inventory. Up to five weapons can be changed per visit.
 * Restaurant - place where other warriors gather. If the player chats with them in a friendly manner, they may join them in battle. Support animals the players may wish to bring with them can also be found here.
 * Scholar (occasional) - gives a five question quiz to the player using Record of Three Kingdoms and Romance of the Three Kingdoms as his base. Answering his questions correctly may reward the player with monetary compensation.
 * Merchant (occasional) - if the player has enough money, the merchant may act on the player's request to hire support generals to join the player in battle. Weapons can also be bought here at a cheaper price.


 * Battle - the fighting section of the mode. Like Mission Mode in Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2, players have the choice to change the background music while playing through this phase.

Each episode on the grid selection screen also has their own properties as the player selects them. These properties are represented by miniature symbols within the information screen that appears as players chooses a stage. They are:
 * Town icon - leads the Town section.
 * Lock icon - section of the map that can conclude the Town section with a battle.
 * General icon - leads to a Gaiden stage with a playable character.
 * Weapon icon - clearing this stage rewards the player with a weapon.
 * Special weapon icon - rewards rare weapons for the player when the selected stage is cleared.
 * Animal icon - lets player rescue an animal so they may become their companions in later battles.
 * Arrow icon - raises the player's reputation and strengths and awards money when cleared.

Players start in the upper east at You Province. As they complete various missions, they can conquer a capital city and expand from that point towards other missions. The player can complete the same stage as many times as they wish after they complete a single stage once. After obtaining an ending in this mode, it's still possible to keep playing within it. Downloadable scenarios are so far implied to be taking place within Conquest Mode.

Characters

 * Characters initially available
 * Wei - Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun
 * Wu - Sun Jian, Sun Shang Xiang
 * Shu - Liu Bei, Bao Sanniang
 * Jin - Sima Yi, Sima Zhao
 * Other - Zhu Rong


 * Unlocking Methods
 * 1) For the characters who appear in Story Mode, simply complete the first or only featured stage they appear in. In other words, to have Sima Shi available in this mode, clear the Assault in Shu stage. Story Mode links: Shu, Wei, Wu, Jin.
 * 2) Characters who don't appear in Story Mode can be unlocked by completing all of the respective character's Legendary Modes featured in the Chronicle Mode. This also unlocks their wallpaper in the gallery.
 * 3) Once a character is unlocked in a single Conquest Mode, they stay unlocked for the players' usage throughout other Conquest Modes.