With Ancient China as the backdrop, the game chronicles the dramatic events of the 2nd and 3rd centuries when the once grand empire fell into civil war. While retaining many of the features that have become hallmarks of the Romance series, Romance of the Three Kingdoms IX is vastly different from previous games in the series. Most notable is that players immediately take the rank of a Ruler. Traditionally reserved as the highest rank in the series, the role of Ruler will test any player’s leadership, management and strategy skills.