It's definetly not a "bad" Rance game, but still it's so far away from "Sengoku" that it hurts.
If Sengoku is "11/10 best game of all time", Rance IX is like 7/10 at best (for me).
I could dig deep into issues with story and battle system, but I don't think it's even necessary, since both are extremely simple.
Waiting for "Rance X". I hope it will satisfy my "Sengoku" desires much more than this.

Just make sure to play Rance VI, Sengoku Rance, and Rance Quest first. In any case, if you've liked those games, you will almost certainly like this game, though it's fair to mention how it's different.
Gameplay is Fire Emblem-like though it has its fair share of difference from other similar SRPGs (such as the abundance of mission variety to keep things fresh). Not quite as good gameplay wise as Rance VI, Rance Quest, or Sengoku IMO, but it's good in its own right.
Overall, story is fantastic a strong core cast of extremely fun and memorable characters. Rance is as entertaining as a main character as always. Best girl in this title is definitely Russian, but all of the major heroines are standout characters, especially the long time recurring characters of Shizuka and Kanami. Don't forget about the other male characters like Patton and Freak, who are 10/10 bros.
Of note is how this game has multiple endings. The True Route is the most fleshed out and the most fitting way to conclude the overall plot, but the heroine routes are all good and short side routes. They range from meme-tier where everything goes off the rails to heartwarming wrap-ups to the heroine's character arcs. One annoying aspect is that you have to go through the full game twice to get all of the routes, though at least the second playthrough unlocks some new side events. These range from silly character interactions to DEEPEST LORE.
In the end, while $50 is a relatively high price tag compared to the other Rance titles, it's definitely worth it for more Rance.

I have been waiting for this to be translated for several years. I'm glad that it has finally arrived. I took a break and spent the last two days playing through it. Some of the mechanics and characters are a throwback to Mamatoto. This was a nice way to circle back to some earlier Alicesoft titles. Although the game feels and seems to be shorter than Rance VIII it still has enough content to keep a player entertained in the story and the characters. Although there are fewer heroines for romantic interest, their stories are written out well enough to not regret it. Rance IX is a penultimate work and should be considered in the context of the overall story. However, even if someone hasn't played a game in the series before they should find the story well contained and understandable notwithstanding the reference to previous titles. Overall, an enjoyable experience. I eagerly await Rance X and 03.