gameplay of Dynasty Warriors 5 is based on previous "Dynasty Warriors" games. It is a hack-and-slash beat-'em-up 3-D action game.The game features multiple modes. Musou Mode presents a number of chronologically consecutive battle stages revolving around one chosen character, augmented by animation and character-voiced storytelling that provides context for battles and actions. Free Mode allows a player to play default levels and those that have been completed in Musou Mode one at a time. Both Musou Mode and Free Mode allow for two-player cooperative gameplay. Challenge Mode introduces a number of specialized stages with specific challenges, including time trials. In extreme mode you can buy many items. The Encyclopedia feature gives a description of each officer in Dynasty Warriors 5, including every non-player character. The Options feature stores viewed pre-rendered videos and offers gameplay and presentation options to the player.