Review: Romance Of The Three Kingdoms VIII (PS2)

With the rare exception, any video game sleeve stamped with the Koei logo ultimately means a historically flavoured release. However with the Romance Of The Three Kingdoms series this epitaph is taken to extreme depths, as the Japanese developer strives to place you amidst the ongoing drama of a feudal Chinese dynasty. For those unaware of the series, prepare for turn based strategic warfare like never before on the Playstation 2.

Strategy titles such as these appeal to a refined and niche market at the best of times. For the console generation this is even more the case, as few will actually be interested in entertaining such a title as Romance Of The Three Kingdoms VIII (or, in retrospect, even have the time to devote to such an epic). Perhaps this is why the series has failed to make an impact on our radar, with only a limited PAL release of this instalment.

Koei has taken its inspiration for this edition from Luo Guanzhong's epic San Guo Yan Yi tale, which deals with the reunification of China. Set during the second century, you start out at the bottom of the pile; a young wannabe officer with high ambitions and the need to be recognised. Your ultimate aim is to rule over China if you so desire, but there is much to overcome first. In this strategic world nothing is given up without a fight - and fight you shall. Cities are divided into areas where you can gain influence and rewards from those in positions of authority by completing tasks. This is more exciting than it sounds, as you merely balance tasks with deadlines - often just engaging in conversations in specific areas to gain the desired result.

At first this feels out of place in a strategy title, where the majority have you going through training missions before unleashing you on the battlefield. Even before you can go to war (or most likely defend a position) you need to improve your standing and receive a level of trust that, in turn, leads to your first vital command. This slow-brewing philosophy is evident throughout the game (which is a sizeable undertaking), and even when the battlefield beckons, the amount of preparation and forward planning is aimed at genre enthusiasts. Koei has never catered for the inexperienced player in its strategy releases and VIII is no different. The opposition AI is relentless in the pursuit of victory, and tests each skill that you have managed to learn. Failure to prepare and build up your statistics will promtly result in defeat.

However it's not all about war as there are many mundane tasks to perform if you go down certain career routes. The maintaining of city defences or researching new forms of weaponry are potentially on the agenda once you reach the upper echelons of the pyramid system. Or you may choose to journey down another route, preferring the battlefield to the politics of the throne. Should you reach the end of VIII, there is plenty of replay value by trying one of these alternate avenues.

Visually, this game is unlikely to win any plaudits from the current or previous generation, as these play second fiddle to the strategy and depth that is on offer elsewhere. Even the static backgrounds and character models that make up so much of the visual fare are workmanlike. Battles and confrontations are played out along with the sounds of war, although here Koei should take note of EA's Medal Of Honour and its ilk. So much effort has been focused on the combat dynamics of the title that the theatre of war is sadly posted missing in action. Such an addition could add drama and atmosphere to a title that is an isolated and desolate experience. The constant use of text is unavoidable, but the sheer amount of it just adds the desolate feeling.

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.

Rating: 8 / 10

Words by Jason Julier