PlayStation 2

Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII

Though it won’t appeal to everyone because of its turn-based tactical nature, poor graphics, and simple technology, it’s not a stretch of the truth to proclaim Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII the single best PSOne/PS2 strategy game ever released. Better than any previous title in the Romance series, easily eclipsing the Dynasty Tactics and Kessen franchises, and trampling all over the SimCity and Civilization ports, KOEI’s excellent simulation of Ancient Chinese diplomacy and warfare is worthy of every compliment we can shower upon it.

Romance of Three Kingdoms VIII proves that graphics and sound don’t make a good game. With solid gameplay and the ability to play as several different characters, the game has a lot of replay value. There are over 40 different endings so whatever you choose can alter your ending. Trying to achieve them all will be a task on its own. I would strongly suggest this game to anyone interested in tactics, government, and especially to those who have read about the Three Kingdoms, especially “The Romance of Three Kingdoms” series.

If you are looking for a game with instant battle, incredible animations and realistic combat sounds, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a turn-based strategic combat game that may be a little simplistic visually, but requires a great deal of thought and is incredibly deep in terms of strategic gameplay, this is the title you will want to play.

What’s frustrating is that I know there are many potential localization specialists out there that could prevent these kinds of things from happening. Hell, some of the errors are things an elementary school student could catch! However, I can’t totally condemn a script in which people boast about their “rabble-rousing abilities.”

Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII is definitely not a game for everyone -- the sheer number of sound-alike Asian names alone will exclude the mouth-breathing segment of the population -- but it's an intensely satisfying and mind-bogglingly replayable game for those gamers willing to wallow in Asian history and pure strategy.

For those intrigued by the thought of such a time consuming and intensive release then tread carefully. Romance Of The Three Kingdoms VIII is no RPG with a wonderful storyline to entice you along to the next stage; it's hard work but thoroughly rewarding even so.

Let's be realistic here: If Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII is your kind of game, you don't need this review to tell you to go out and get it. Fans of this kind of intensely complicated strategy game who for some reason haven't given it a look should definitely do so, since it does bring enough new features to the table to warrant a whole new game. If you're dead set against this sort of plodding, number-driven gameplay, though, there's absolutely nothing here to win you over.

Pour une première en France, on peut dire que Koei marche sur un terrain glissant. En effet la simulation historique et stratégique de la Chine antique n'est pas un genre très répandu sur notre continent, ce qui n'empêche aucunement Romance d'afficher fièrement une qualité générale que bien d'autres softs doivent lui envier. Mais le destin de cette surprise de très bon acabit va peut-être tourner court du fait d'un parti pris graphique détestable et d'une certaine lassitude ressentie à de rares moments, mais qui ne passera pas inaperçue des personnes peu coutumières à ce type de divertissement. Il faut donner une chance à cette production qui en amènera sûrement d'autres.

For Romance followers, this addition to the series is the best yet. An unlimited number of accounting practices combined with more depth to the lives that you control can be an overwhelming if not humbling experience for wannabe rulers of the land. Just make sure you?re up for a long lesson in advanced bookkeeping.