Bandit Kings of Ancient China

aka: Suikoden: Tenmei no Chikai
Moby ID: 2137

DOS version

What do you mean 27 years? There's a time limit? Aaaaaahhhhh....

The Good
This is an interesting little gem from KOEI. Probably the only other Chinese historical game from KOEI that isn't about Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

The gameplay is standard KOEI style. A different feature probably worth mentioning is an option where you gain 100% loyalty from one of your 'generals'. This is done by a brotherhood ritual or vow (forgot what it was called). This is also the FIRST game by KOEI to have female characters in it. Though it's still called a brotherhood even if you conduct it with a female general.

The Bad
Repeat title: What do you mean 27 years? There's a time limit? Aaaaaahhhhh....

It's amazing after all these years I still can remember the time length of this game. In this game you only have 27 years to unite China, or most of it anyway. This is because at that time, the Mongols will attack and overrun China without much opposition from the disorganized warring clans.

This is one of two KOEI games I actually DESPISE due to the time limit (the other being L'Empereur. Yes, I hate time limits. Both in games and especially in real-life. In this case, I didn't know there was a time limit, eventually I was so upset, I never played this game again.

And with this to all game developers who might happen to read this review (of which I seriously doubt). PLEASE KEEP GAMEPLAY ENJOYABLE AND KEEP THOSE TIME LIMITS OUTTA GAMES!!! GAME DIFFICULTY SHOULD NOT BE JUDGED BY TIME LIMITS. Hope somebody from Warcraft III reads this. Bah!

Hmmm...strange review.

The Bottom Line
Wish there was a hack to get rid of that 27 year limit.

by Indra was here (20760) on August 3, 2003

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