Aerial charge attacks are available. C1s () are unique to each character and C3s (, , ) are now multi-hitting combos that can be followed by several taps from the button.
Power guards (press while blocking) are replaced by counterattacks (press while blocking). Performing this action can allow a character to dodge an enemy's attack and momentarily stun them.
Characters can announce their names on the field by pressing R3. This surrounds them with an aura and stuns opponents who are close.
Weapons can now be leveled up though its own leveling system. As the player defeats enemies, they will gradually gain more Weapon Points (WP). Similar to the stat boosts dropped by officers, players will additionally gain more points for their weapons if they defeat enemies with longer combos. This new system limits the players to one weapon yet it lets their weapons evolve over time to gain better stats. The maximum weapon level, level 10, needs special requirements to unlock.
When meeting an enemy officer, there may be a chance that they will be additionally challenged to duel during the officer's introduction sequence. In the upper right hand corner, there will be a small gray gauge that allots a certain amount of time for the player's response. Choosing to accept transports both generals into a private arena that is separated from the main events on the field. Duels become more likely against a particular general if their rivalry with the player intensifies further.
Mounts no longer require ranks to ride them and allows players to pick up items while they're on the saddle. It's possible to dismount while the steed is running and they no longer run over allies.
Each character has six alternate outfits in this title.
Orbs can now be equipped individually onto characters.
The following characters can be unlocked in Musou Mode.
Zhao Yun, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong
Complete Shu Act 2
Huang Zhong and Wei Yan
Complete Shu Act 3
Yue Ying
Complete Shu Act 4
Ma Chao
Defeat him during the Campaign for Cheng Du in Shu Act 4
Jiang Wei
Fail to trigger the first fire attack during the Battle of Chi Bi to unlock the Tian Shui Tales after Shu Act 5. During this time, defeat all generals outside the castle. When Jiang Wei comes out, defeat his accompanying generals, then lure him to Zhuge Liang.
Xu Huang and Dian Wei
Complete Wei Act 1
Xu Zhu
Complete Wei Act 2
Cao Ren and Zhen Ji
Complete Wei Act 3
Zhang Liao
Defeat him at the Battle of Xia Pi during Wei Act 3
Zhang He
Clear 11 stages during Wei's Musou Mode
Sima Yi
Complete Wei Act 4
Lu Meng
Complete Wu Act 1
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu
Complete Wu Act 2
Sun Quan and Zhou Tai
Complete Wu Act 3
Taishi Ci
Defeat him during the Assault on Wu Territory in Wu Act 3. Wait for him to reappear as an ally before completing the stage.
Gan Ning
Personally defeat him during the Battle of Xia Kou in Wu Act 4.
Lu Xun
Complete Wu Act 4
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao
On the second playthrough for Wu's story, select the Yellow Turban Fortress before doing the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Act 1. This unlocks the Wu Tale's stage, The Two Qiaos. During this stage, rescue the sisters and make sure they both escape safely.
Lu Bu
Clear Musou Mode with any other kingdom
Diao Chan
Clear Act 1 in Lu Bu's Musou Mode
Dong Zhuo
Clear Lu Bu's Musou Mode
Yuan Shao
Clear Wei's Musou Mode
Zhang Jiao
Clear Musou Mode with every other kingdom
Meng Huo
Personally defeat him seven times -with at least one duel- during the Nanman Campaign.
Zhu Rong
Personally defeat her in a duel during the Nanman Campaign.
Dynasty Warriors 4: Hyper - PC conversion of the game for Windows that uses higher res graphics. Includes the Japanese and English tracks. Number of enemies appearing on screen can be adjusted in the settings, and enemy A.I. is increased from its Playstation 2 counterpart.
K'md released eight figurines of the cast. Koei released two drama CDs based on events from this title. A light novel based on the drama CD's events and characters was also published. A sample can be read online here.
The twelve volume fanbook serialization, Shin Sangoku Musou Tsushin, also used this particular Dynasty Warriors entry as its base. It included commentary from developers, an exclusive illustration made by Hiroyuki Suwahara, stage walkthroughs, "what if?" designs for considered playable generals, and a showcase of letters and fanart from fans. The magazine also featured two characters from the game in each issue, several editorial comics, dream match novelizations between two characters, and mentions of other Three Kingdoms merchandise in Japan.
Comic Shin Sangoku Musou 3 Anthology ~Ten no Maki~ - collection of four panel parody comics and/or lengthier stories created by fans. Includes themes from the Xtreme Legends expansion as well. ISBN: 4-7758-0137-6
Characters outfits from this game later appear as alternate third costumes in Warriors Orochi 2.
The default names for the bodyguard units refer to several Koei titles such as Gitaroo-Man, Kessen II, and Nobunaga's Ambition. Sanzo, Shiga and Ieyasu are also referenced. A group using the first names of the English voice actors was also created.