
“The Romance novel let us flesh out the personal side with in-depth knowledge of the characters accomplishments and relationships.”

#Total war three kingdoms series#
It’s been more than five years since “Total War: Rome 2”, the last mainline game in the franchise, and now Creative Assembly is trying something new with “ Total War: Three Kingdoms.” In an effort to spice things up, developers are combining the series commitment to historical accuracy with the narrative flourish of the 14th-century novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” “We’re still treating this like a Total War game, we used historical records to build a base, get facts and a layout of the events that happened,” Creative Assembly Senior Designer Leif Walter told Variety. “Warhammer”, “Thrones of Britannia”, and “Arena” titles have emphasized fantasy, specific historical flashpoints, and competitive play respectively. But the game is also a rewarding experience that leaves you with a real sense of victory earned on the battlefield.The “Total War” series has branched out in quite a few ways over time, there is way more to experience outside the straight forward large-scale tactical gameplay featured in mainline games. It's a steep learning curve to say the least, at times overwhelming and frustrating.

#Total war three kingdoms trial#
Unfortunately, the game's tutorials still feel like an afterthought, leaving most players to learn important tactics through trial and error. It's a constant balancing act that feels like it could (and often does) collapse at any moment. Three Kingdoms also expands on the "diplomacy" options, recruiting spies to sow the seeds of discord while still adhering to your chosen general's distinct beliefs and moral code. There's a massive amount of micromanagement to keep up with at any given time as you also try to account for the actions and events that might be going on elsewhere between other factions. In fact, the game's probably the most complex entry in the franchise to date. The Total War series has never been known for easing newcomers into the experience, and Total War: Three Kingdoms is no exception. By giving players both options, the game adds a unique level of perspective and understanding on how reality and perception can influence history and mythology. Romance mode, on the other hand, takes its cue from the classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms story, in which the warlords were more superhuman figures of myth, possessing almost godlike powers and wielding sacred artifacts as they battled.

Here, generals are just men like any other, relying on little more than their skill and cunning to rule. Records mode is a more standard and realistic approach, with a more historically authentic representation. One of the game's more interesting options is to play the campaign in either Records or Romance mode, each based on stories of the era. With Total War: Three Kingdoms, though, the series blends history and fantasy together as an epic retelling of the most pivotal and bloody moments in ancient China. The Total War franchise has never been one to shy away from exploring the art of war from all angles and any setting.
