Total War: Three Kingdoms looks set to build on previous instalments of the popularised third century Chinese turmoil such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Dynasty Warriors defined my later childhood and early teen years. Playing alongside a friend slashing up legions of Chinese soldiers and getting excited every time that Lu Bu cut scene played. Kessen came close to itching the “large-scale warfare” itch I always had with Dynasty Warriors, loving the sense of scale the PS2 could lend to the battles, but still feeling somewhat short of what I wanted to play.
Despite Total War branching out to Rome, America, Japan and even the Warhammer universe, I never considered the Three Kingdoms franchise could or would be given the massive battle treatment the series has given to other periods of history, instead laying my hope on a Kessen remake – which in a way, this is. I was completely certain Game of Thrones would be the next instalment in the Total War franchise, but this is a welcome surprise.
Exciting stuff below, promising the beautiful, epic-scale warfare we’ve come to appreciate from the Total War series; but now with Wu, Shu and Wei banners littering the countryside.
The full announcement:
The year is 190CE. China is in turmoil. The Han Dynasty crumbles before the child-emperor. He is but a figurehead; a mere puppet for the tyrant warlord Dong Zhuo. It is a brutal and oppressive regime, and as Dong Zhuo’s power grows, the empire slips further into the cauldron of anarchy. But hope yet blossoms.
Three heroes, sworn to brotherhood in the face of tyranny, rally support for the trials ahead. Scenting opportunity, warlords from China’s great families follow suit, forming a fragile coalition in a bid to challenge Dong Zhuo’s remorseless rule. Will they triumph against the tyrant, or will personal ambition shatter their already crumbling alliance and drive them to supremacy?
The crucible fizzes. Allegiances shift. The fires of conflict stoke opportunity. Only one thing is certain: the very future of China will be shaped by its champions. Total War: Three Kingdoms is the next major historical strategy game in the award-winning Total War series.
