More crucially, however, is how little difference there is between Records and Romance mode. They look normal and small in the scale of battles, yet make a major impact – a painful contrast with bow and arrow units, which fill the sky with thousands of very distracting blue magic-looking projectiles that literally blot your view of the battlefield, yet manage to kill only a handful of people per salvo. They can hold themselves either as part of a cavalry bodyguard squad in Records or on their own in Romance mode, able to single-handedly score hundreds of kills in the latter. Aside from basic early game militia troops, every single soldier in the game requires a specific type of general or rank, such as the Strategist’s unique ability to field Trebuchets.Īs physical presences in the battlefield, however, heroes are forces to be reckoned with. Each character in 3K belongs to one of six archetypes, such as the Strategist (who allows units around him to deploy in specific formations that were standard in previous Total Wars), Vanguards (great at tackling multiple enemy units), or Commanders (cavalry focused generals with area of effect abilities), among others, and each of those can recruit a unique selection of troops. One problem with that new system is that it makes it impossible to transfer units between retinues – a problem further compounded by the fact each type of general can only recruit specific types of units. These retinues are loyal to their specific general and move armies and factions alongside their masters, creating an interesting bond that can last whole campaigns. Each has a skill tree and an inventory comprised of weapons, armours, mounts, and more, and become more powerful as they level up in the course of their adventures.Īs a result of that new focus on individuals, armies have been expanded to house up to three generals with a personal retinue of six troops each, for a total of 21 units in the field. Both on Romance and Records mode – the fictional and historical versions, respectively – they are the forces that move the world around them, serving as generals, administrators, and heroes, and there are hundreds of them. The first and most important aspect of 3K is that it is a story about characters. That enormous asymmetry not only lends them a personality, but also gives players a vast array of choice as to how aggressive or diplomatic they want to play the campaign based on the faction they choose. The game features 12 different protagonists, each with their unique factions, units, buildings, and abilities, and each has a backstory and preferred playstyle. That’s the basic premise of Total War: Three Kingdoms, the newest entry in the historic Total War franchise 100% inspired by an embellished account of a real Chinese period. Rising up to arms either for or against the crumbling Han, these people seek to unite China and crown themselves Emperors in the process.
Taking place in 190AD, 3K starts shortly after the Yellow Turban Rebellion causes the fracturing of the old Han Dynasty, causing every warlord, administrator, and general in China to act as their own little country. Three Kingdoms is the first entry in that new direction, visiting Ancient China for the first time in franchise while adding elements from the Romance of Three Kingdoms for a decidedly more epic and personal experience.
Total war three kingdoms review series#
Crucially, it showed the series has a unique potential to straddle the “realism” of warfare with the larger-than-life deeds of mythology, and opened a whole can of worms to everything ranging from Greek Mythology to Lord of the Rings.
Before the first fantasy spin-off hit the shelves, the idea of a one person unit in Total War killing hundreds of people by itself would be alien at worse and disjointed at best, but after Warhammer, it proved weirdly acceptable. In a way, it feels like Three Kingdoms could never have been done before Warhammer.
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