role-playing

I have now run through KOEI's new "Dynasty Tactics" twice, and I can honestly say that this is the most solid offering the ALWAYS solid KOEI has ever delivered. As everyone (at least that is reading this review!) knows, KOEI is the maker of the fantastic RTK series, as well as the Dynasty Warriors games. Although the title of this closely resembles Dynasty Warriors, that is where the similarities end.
You have the option of playing the game as either Liu Bei, Cao Cao or Sun Ce, so from the beginning, you have three entirely separate gameplay options. Your goal in each case is to unify China through a series of Ogre Battle-like scenarios. The battles themselves are great fun, relying on so-called tactics to defeat your enemies. Although the ins and outs of this tactics system are difficult to explain here, in short, a player must use his brain to develop strategy in order to chain these tactics together for devastating combos.
This in itself would make for a great game, but the REAL surprise is after you beat one of the scenarios. Then you may view a history screen which shows all of the movies you unlocked during the game. The kicker, you say? You will have only unlocked about a sixth of all of the possible options! That's right; you have three scenarios to begin with, and each scenario has five or six different endings, which may be reached through fifteen or so different paths. KOEI, you have outdone yourself.
Again, this game is not for everyone: those expecting Dynasty Warriors, or ever RTK, will be disappointed. However, if you are a player who enjoyed Ogre Battle, Final Fantasy Tactics, or the like, you are in for a real treat here!

Like the various iterations of the Dynasty Warriors and Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, this game is based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story. Game mechanics-wise, however, this title bears little similarity to those other games. I can't think of a game that's remotely like this one. Ostensibly a tactical game (like Final Fantasy Tactics), your main goal in each battle is to position your troops in such a fashion as to unleash a successive number of special moves (tactics) on one or more opposing units.

The game requires a certain degree of patience to play effectively, and is probably not for more action-oriented gamers. For those who aren't bored by this type of game, there's a fair amount of replay potential thanks to the scenario system (somewhat similar to Onimusha 2). Each kingdom (Wu, Shu, and Wei) has 4 different scenario endings, which can vary greatly in terms of how much of China you end up with. However, battles can be repetitive, as they only really differ by terrain and the generals involved. Also, although not strictly necessary, trying to recruit as many generals as possible through the use of diplomats also tends to really slow down the game.

Overall, KOEI has developed a solid and relatively unique game which can use a little more variety during battles, and a little less trying to send diplomats all over China to recruit new generals. Hopefully some of these annoyances will be addressed in Dynasty Tactics 2.

I'm a big fan of this time period, having read the book its based on, The Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, and having played numerous Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Dynasty Warriors game. Dynasty Tactics was interesting. It was more like a Romance of the Three Kingdoms then Dynsaty Warriors. The game involves deep strategy and some thinking, but is quite enjoyable.

I actually found the game rather difficult at first. I kept getting caught up in combos, but after playing through some tutorials, it was alot easier than I thought. Take your time with the game, dont get disappointed if you struggle at first.

So anyway, you take control of Liu Bei, Cao Cao or Sun Ce and try and unite China. You start out with a city or two, a small army and a couple officers. You recruit more, and expand. It's rather fun, and fairly addictive.

If you like the time period, or Romance of the Three Kingdoms, you should definitely check out Dynasty Tactics, or by this time, Dynasty Tactics 2, which I havent had a chance to play.