Great strategy never gets old.
Both Dynasty warriors and Romance of the three kingdom series are based on a novel by Luo Guanzhong (thanks wiki)
about the rise and fall of the three kingdoms Wu, Shu and Wei, and other events in that era. That's about what you need to know.
The game lets you play through all the main events of the story, as well as other famous battles and whatnots. What it all boils down to, however, is taking over china, battle after battle.
Gameplay:
There are three main stages to the game. First, the council. here you plan your next attack, buy/sell supplies, hire officers, spy on other rulers and other things in the same manner.
Then we got the town. This is where you improve research, repair the gates, pillage nearby cities, and other things like talking to the townspeople, improving relations with your fellow officers, and do work instructed to you by your Prefect (unless you are the ruler)
Last, but not least, we have the battle phase. Here you crack opposing forces heads until they ..well...die. The fighting itself takes form in turn-based form. You have control of the main army (Assuming you aren't the reinforcements) and depending on wheter you're the attacker or defender.
as the attacking side, you have to dodge traps, assume control over a outpost then continue on to the enemy castle, to raze it's gates. or you could always settle with defeating the main defending force. To help you you have access to a number of different strategies and ploys, Need to finish of the enemy in a hurry before reinforcements arrive? use the Run strategy, but you better be done in 10 turns or morale will take a beating.
As the defending force you have to put out traps, and choose different defensive strategies, like garrison, wich stations all your troops outside of the castle, improves defense but lowers morale.
To make it simple, the combat in this game is the polar opposite of the Dynasty warriors series.
What makes the gameplay really great is how deep it is. Random events occur often, special weather conditions, bonds with other officiers and several different classes to play make for a insanely deep and addictive game.
(9.5/10)
Graphics/Sound:
Here is where the game goes from terrific to terrible. The graphics are pretty much exactly the same as a SNES game. While i don't put much emphasis on graphics, (2D can still be better than 3D, with the right art-style)
but there is a limit. It all feels a little old, and moldy to be honest, as the artstyle (while feeling authentic) really isn't very good.
The combat is worse, with poorly animated attacks/special attacks, and the
menus feels roughly animated.
Honestly, the opening cinematic is as good as it gets.
Other than that, a bright spot is the portraits that feel real and are very well ..painted (aside from a few =O expressions. Honestly, who would make a face like that when they get their portrait painted?)
There really isn't much to speak of in terms on sound/music, it is pretty much the same type of (supposedly authentic) soundtrack going over and over again, occasionally broken up by the odd special effect/event music.
There is no voice acting (knowing KOEI that might be a good thing)
..sigh. i wish there were more to say, but there isn't. There really isn't.
(5/10)
Overall, it's the same deal as with Dynasty warriors. Either you'll love the deep and intricate strategy, as well as the authentic feeling, or you'll despise the game for it's graphics,and slow paced combat.
Either way, i have to urge you to atleast rent it, if you like it, you got a series you will propably play for the rest of your days, and if you don't, you've only lost a few bucks and will be richer from the experience.