Total War: Three Kingdoms Breathes Life Into Ancient China
The thirteenth title in the Total War saga is on the horizon, and Three Kingdoms brings with it a whole host of series upgrades.
Paradox Diplomacy, Classic TW Carnage
Set 1800 years ago in the heart of ancient China, developers Creative Assembly have combined the best of both worlds for this, their next grand strategy instalment. Three Kingdoms follows the tried-and-tested Total War formula at first glance: empire management on the one hand, and huge real-time battles on the other. But there are a few key changes:
Firstly, the characters. The Three Kingdoms period played host to hundreds of legendary generals and strategists, many of whom are still famous today. They now form the backbone of the game, operating as administrators, emperors and spies. You’ll soon find that the people you employ in your faction are individual, unique and most importantly, independent.
There’s a very real chance a general, or even your heir, may defect if unsatisfied, starting a civil war, or else find themselves captured by the enemy. This character system is deep, organic and satisfying. Think Legendary Lords from Total War: Warhammer, only less Superman and with more personality.
Second up in the list of big changes is diplomacy. It’s all new, all shiny and oh-so-wonderful. Reminiscent of the best Paradox titles, factions in Total War: Three Kingdoms now have access to countless new diplomatic options, including the ability to move one’s capital, trade cities and form coalitions. There’s even a handy +/- points meter to indicate the possibility of success, so you can haggle your way to min-max victory.
‘The empire, long divided, must unite; the empire, long united, must divide’
From the off, Three Kingdoms is bright and punchy, and full of customisation options: Mandarin or English voiceover, realistic or stylised colour palette, Records or Romance mode campaign, etc. Records mode is realistic and deliberate, more like a classical Total War title.
Romance mode is more myth than fact, taking a leaf out of Warhammer’s battle book. Such a divide is only natural, considering the setting.
The Three Kingdoms era is one of the most popular in Asian culture; its main sources being a romantic, extravagant novel and a sometimes contradictory official history. You can find its fingerprints everywhere – even in the West – from the PlayStation game series Dynasty Warriors to top bingo sites in the UK, with thematic slot games like 3 Kingdoms: Battle of Red Cliffs available alongside more conventional 90-ball and 75-ball bingo offerings.
In Total War: Three Kingdoms, you’ll be painting the map as before with the series, but with this both new and familiar coat of paint.
The third big change to the franchise for Three Kingdoms is the emperor system, i.e. the late game. In keeping with the title, when one faction becomes large enough (AI included), it and the next two in line will form independent kingdoms, each of three vying for the mandate of heaven.
Because that’s what 3K is all about: Forming your own dynasty, remaking history and playing castle in the sandbox to your heart’s content. Creative Assembly have earned themselves a rocky reputation for game launches in the past – remember Rome 2? But recent Warhammer publications have been relatively smooth.
Three Kingdoms is due out May 23rd, after several ‘to polish the game’ delays. Here’s hoping the live build is as much fun as the previews.
