Romance of the Three Kingdoms III

What an epic setting the premise of Romance of the Three Kingdoms provides. The book is a 14th-century novel that delivers a dramatic tone for three kingdoms struggling for viability in China. It is considered one of the greatest written works of all time and certainly fleshed out well enough to be adapted into a video game of colossal proportions. Romance of the Three Kingdoms III is one of the only games in the franchise to be directly translated into Chinese. Despite being a Japanese made game with two other installments behind it, makers Koei decided that now was the time to unveil their takes on the Sino-based epic.

Be The Best You Can Be

'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' as a game did find quite a faithful base with its release in Japan. Players found themselves immersed in a world where they could have full elements of control around them at a steady pace.

The game's popularity spread through the globe - translated to English and subsequently Chinese in this installment. Arguably, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms III: Dragon of Destiny,' played a big part in popularizing the turn-based strategy games that we see today. The story of the game is set up much like its predecessors. You are given 6 different scenarios loosely based on the chapters of the original book. Your objectives are simple - conquer China. You can achieve that in any manner you wish by carefully curating the provinces of China.

Once your leader is chosen, you will continue to garner a following by applying strategies each turn. Officers will join your ranks, each with statistics beneficial to your reign in one way or another. They must apply carefully throughout the provinces to gain leverage and win the region over - there, they must be managed to keep a hold of them. You will govern the cities, forge alliances, and wage war against enemies to achieve your ultimate goal.

Throughout the gameplay, you will be introduced to some decision making, turn-based battles requiring a fair bit of thought, and an odd dueling system between officers. Whatever scenario the game throws you into - it's all about the statistics. You'll have to check each character's ranking ability to choose the correct path for your empire to flourish. In general, there's a lot to think about.

Slow Boat To China

As a turn-based strategy game in its genre infancy, you could be forgiven for thinking that Romance of the Three Kingdoms III is overwhelming. There are numerous mechanics to get your head around, and the gameplay can often be a struggle. The level of detail for a game released in the early 90s is remarkable - but is not streamlined into letting you know how to progress.

Starting out with the game can be a source of frustration as other leaders begin to gang up against you, leaving you without a clue on how to retaliate. Sinking many hours into the came will definitely reward you for managing each game element for success. This comes at a lot of trial and error and may have lost many users' attention by then.

Those who love detail, management, and a historical context will find an addictive presence in this game. Interactions with your provinces and other characters do provide that versatility and unpredictability to keep things exciting. Many players will get a thrill out of handling political and military crises, but certainly not everyone. Its progression leaves a lot to be desired.

Pros

• Excellent level of detail in managing your leadership
• Various elements of combat and decision making are fun

Cons

• Without prior exposure, the game can be difficult to approach
• The level of detail can be overwhelming
• Progression can get frustrating