As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake” has left me somewhat disappointed. The visual upgrade and new soundtrack are undeniably impressive, but the gameplay feels distressingly reminiscent of the early 2000s, a time when repetition was the name of the game.
[Note: Game tag needed. Embargo date Wednesday, 10/23/24, 4 AM PT / 7 AM ET.]
In my gaming world, I often find myself immersed in the chaos of a turbulent era, known as the Three Kingdoms period in ancient China – a time that followed the decay of the Han dynasty. This era, vividly depicted in Luo Guanzhong’s 14th-century novel, “Three Kingdoms,” was filled with political intrigue, betrayals, and brutal feuds. It’s an ideal setting for any gamer looking to experience a thrilling and historically rich gaming adventure!
In Koei Tecmo’s revamped version of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8,” you assume control over a single character in one of more than 50 historically accurate scenarios (or six fictional ones that can be unlocked). Depending on your role, whether leading a faction or serving as an ordinary officer, you’ll have the opportunity to influence and potentially alter events from this famous historical drama.
2001’s remake – is it still relevant or impressive when measured against today’s powerhouses in strategic gaming? How does it fare in today’s competitive landscape of grand strategy games?
In the words of Luo Guanzhong—read on!
Playing Through History
The “Remake of Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8” is a detailed historical strategy game that meticulously follows the narrative of Luo Guanzhong’s novel and historical accounts from the time period.
Should you have experienced the main series games, you may recognize several figures; for instance, the relentless fighter Lu Bu, the shrewd leader Cao Cao, and the strategic mastermind Zhuge Liang.
Beyond the usual players, there’s a vast array of characters to explore, featuring hundreds of officers. Each one has their own rich historical background and potential roles, set during different periods and serving various factions, within the Three Kingdoms era.
In this game, each character you encounter has a history of actions, conflicts, and relationships that are woven into their narrative, whether based on real historical events or fictional tales from novels. The dialogue between characters, in a style reminiscent of early wuxia narratives similar to those found in the “Three Kingdoms,” deepens the game’s ties to its source material.
If you’re intrigued by the story of the Three Kingdoms and prefer a more accessible version than immersing yourself in 900 pages of traditional Chinese literature, this game encapsulates the essence or heart of that legend.
The game progresses by advancing one month at a time. During each month, you are able to utilize action points to develop a city or engage with Non-Player Characters. Every three months, a parliament convenes where you can put forth strategic actions across the entire map (for example, attacking an enemy city).
In most instances, the actions you perform contribute to enhancing your stats, and occasionally foster stronger bonds with fellow officers. These bonds may lead to a potential “Linking,” which could randomly enhance the effectiveness of your actions.
Over time, it leads to a compelling cycle that keeps you wanting to play ‘one more round’. Characters eventually age and pass away, only for fresh ones to grow up. In some cases, if you form a union, your offspring may even become playable characters in the future.
The Tales System
In the heart of history lies Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake, but don’t be fooled into thinking that it compels you to follow a rigid path. Instead, this masterpiece employs a captivating “Tales” system, allowing you to deliberately set off historical events, side quests, and endgame objectives at your leisure.
In the context of “Three Kingdoms”, military campaigns are narrated as a captivating Saga, divided into several sections. Each section offers a piece of the narrative, and may cause significant incidents like character deaths or the spontaneous capture of a city. However, to activate these events, you must first fulfill the conditions set by the Saga (such as controlling specific cities).
In the Tales series, significant occurrences are often depicted as “cinematic scenes” using semi-animated images, but the majority of events – whether they’re part of the main story or not – are presented through text dialogue accompanied by character portraits.
Unlike modern grand strategy games—such as or —these sidequest Tales are generic.
The forgettable hue they both possess is similar to the unremarkable incidents that occasionally happen at the start of every month.
Stories serve as triggers to conclude the game. While any situation could potentially unfold throughout the Three Kingdoms era, the objective of the game is to expedite the conclusion of a scenario by meeting the prerequisites for an ending storyline.
Varying Ways To Play
In the remake of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8”, you have the flexibility to explore the historical tale from various viewpoints. Regardless if you choose to be a bandit or a monarch, a wide range of roles and factions are accessible for gameplay.
This feature introduces a captivating role-playing element to the game’s overarching strategy design. For those who prefer to observe the narrative unfold, there is indeed a choice available. However, for those who wish to guide their faction towards the early reunification of China and termination of the Three Kingdoms era, that option is also on the table.
Every position and faction is available for play.
Such a diversity of options might seem overwhelming. However, six “recommended” scenarios do a good job presenting the game’s different concepts, goals, and experiences to new players.
Regardless of the various paths available, the game essentially follows a progression that focuses on ascending the power hierarchy. You may start as a viceroy or a free officer, but the gaming experience remains consistent: you strive to enhance your city and defeat your adversaries.
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
And that’s really this game’s fundamental flaw: it is extremely repetitive.
As a strategy enthusiast, whether I’m a diplomatic mastermind or a battle-hardened commander, the thrill is always the same. Building up my city, chatting with folks to foster connections, and constantly aiming to boost those numbers, that’s what keeps me hooked!
In both The Duel and Debate mini-games, there are striking similarities that make them feel quite alike. One key ability introduces slight tactical variations but overall, they share a great deal of common ground, almost to the point where they can be considered identical in most aspects.
Instead of numerous unusual Bandit Stories, there are only two. The same five Marriage sidequests recur in every gameplay session, each concentrating on a specific stat. Regardless of whether you choose to carve out your unique journey or follow relationships as depicted in the book, interactions with key allies remain consistent.
Although the historical narratives vividly portray the dramatic conflicts of the Three Kingdoms era, they are not spontaneously generated within the game. Sadly, I don’t personally have any captivating tales to recount.
An Honest Remake
Regardless if it’s several decades or multiple centuries, the “Remake of Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8” maintains fidelity to its original content. This updated version represents a significant enhancement, boasting improved visuals and soundtracks compared to the original game.
The visuals primarily consist of 2D character depictions that have a semi-animated quality. Some animations seamlessly blend, while others give off an uneasy vibe, distorting the image as it attempts to move. Despite this, the illustrations are consistently stunning and vibrant, offering more than just facial portraits; they showcase the characters’ personalities as well.
3D work tends to be less striking yet scarcely seen. Contests and discussions often incorporate 3D models, while strategic engagements unfold on a three-dimensional battlefield.
The focus on using the 2D illustrations works well, because the 3D elements definitely feel dated. In contrast, the soundtrack is quite good (and there’s an option to play the 2001 soundtrack, too).
Regarding audio, it’s important to mention that currently, there are no English voiceovers available. It’s unusual because, while I believe the dialogue might be in Japanese (given the context), immersion into Chinese history wasn’t the intention behind this decision.
Closing Comments
The remake of Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 seems to hark back to the gaming era of the 2000s, elegantly refurbished with enhanced visuals. Regrettably, its gameplay hasn’t aged well. Based on an addictive turn-based gameplay system, this title can swiftly devolve into monotony or even tedium due to repetitive scenarios that are played out repeatedly. In contrast to the diverse array of events in contemporary grand strategy games, recommending it may prove challenging. However, if you’re a history buff or a Dynasty Warriors fan intrigued by the strategic genre, this game could pique your interest.
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2024-10-23 14:09