Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake
Release Date: October 24, 2024
Strategy, turn-based, ancient history, war strategy, remasters/remakes, China, historical, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, grand strategy, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
The remake of a popular 2003 turn-based strategy by Koei Tecmo. Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake has us playing as the leader of a dynasty, warring against others to unite China under their rule.
Videos and Screens
[1:22] Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake Launch Trailer
[3:16] Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake - Second Trailer - TGS 2024
Digitally Downloaded: 4 / 5 by Matt Sainsbury
Nevertheless, Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 has a lot going for it. Thanks to the “Tales” feature it’s possibly the most accessible RoTK game to date, easing players in by giving them a clear set of targets to prioritise. Once you’re comfortable with that the depth of strategy and a staggering array of ways to play make for a deep experience with dozens upon dozens of historical play. I still find it odd that Koei Tecmo decided to remake this game, but ultimately I’m glad that it happened.
Nindie Spotlight: 8 / 10 by Justin Nation
Consistently gorgeous and impressive on all fronts, but also unrepentantly deep so for newcomers there’ll be a learning curve
Push Square: 7 / 10 by Khayl Adam
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake is a great way to test the waters of Koei Tecmo's long-running historical simulation series. It can be initially overwhelming and a little unwieldy at times, but the remake offers a return to a seminal entry in the series and one of the deepest and most intricate strategy games available on PS5 and PS4 to date.
The main pros of the game
- Nostalgia and Aesthetic: Many players appreciate the nostalgic elements, including the updated graphics and the original music tracks. The game retains the charm of the original ROTK 8 while modernizing its presentation.
- Character and Relationship Focus: The new relationship system allows for deeper interactions between characters, making friendships and alliances more meaningful. Players can build relationships organically, which enhances the RPG elements.
- Gameplay Mechanics: The game introduces the "Fates" system, allowing players to influence historical events and scenarios, leading to varied gameplay experiences. The turn-based combat system is preferred over the real-time mechanics of previous installments.
- Diverse Scenarios: A larger number of historical scenarios and events are included, providing players with various challenges and play styles.
- Customization: Players can create custom officers with more control over their skills and attributes, enhancing the RPG experience.
The main cons of the game
- AI Issues: The AI is frequently criticized for being overly passive and making poor strategic decisions, leading to a less engaging experience during battles and campaigns.
- Repetitive Gameplay: Many users noted that the gameplay can become monotonous over time, especially with the "Tales" system feeling repetitive and lacking variety.
- Simplification of Mechanics: Some fans of the original felt that the remake simplified many aspects of the gameplay, losing the depth and complexity that made the original ROTK 8 engaging.
- Lack of Multiplayer: The absence of multiplayer options, which were a highlight in previous games, disappointed many players who enjoyed the cooperative aspect of the original.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Depth in Strategy: Players feel that the game lacks the strategic depth of earlier titles, particularly in terms of battle mechanics and the ability to manage multiple factions effectively.
- Historical Accuracy: Some reviews mentioned that the game does not maintain historical accuracy as well as previous installments, with events being overly reliant on player-triggered actions.
- Character Interaction: While the relationship system was praised, some felt that the interactions could be more varied and less formulaic, with a desire for more unique dialogue options and character development.
- Combat Mechanics: Users expressed a desire for more balanced and complex combat mechanics, with specific mention of the dueling and debating systems feeling simplistic and lacking depth.
Summary
- Overall, while ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS 8 REMAKE has its strengths in nostalgia, character development, and improved graphics, it faces criticism for AI issues, repetitive gameplay, and a perceived loss of depth compared to its predecessor.
Summary generated on:
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake Description
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake is a new version of a popular 2003 strategy game for the PlayStation 2. Just like the original game, it was developed and published by Koei Tecmo, the same company responsible for the entire ROTTK series. It was released on the PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and the PC, directed by Kou Shibusawa.
Plot
The game is set in ancient China, where three dynasties - Wu, Wei and Shu - fight for political and military dominance. We play as one of the leaders desiring to unite the land under their rule. Our choices will determine whether we'll achieve this goal.
The game includes various scenarios, some fictional, some based on actual Chinese history. We'll learn about real events that influenced the nation's development or embark on a completely new path, creating an alternate timeline.
Mechanics
The remake includes not only the content from the base game and the Power Up Kit version, but also some entirely new features. The game is turn-based, each turn being an in-game month, during which we take actions to strengthen our military and economic position. We can expand our army, send our spies or grant gifts to other rulers.
The new release includes many different scenarios, each with a different beginning, economic situation and city locations. The game features over 700 characters with differing ranks, abilities and political views, from which we can choose our officers.
Technical aspects
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake features colorful visuals, combining 2D and 3D elements.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake Summary
Game Series: Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Platforms:
PC / Windows
PlayStation 5
Switch
PlayStation 4
Developer: Koei Tecmo
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Age restrictions: 12+
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 8 Remake System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: (720p, 30 fps) Intel Core i5-4460, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 660 / Radeon R7 370, 40 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Recommended: (1080p, 60 fps) Intel Core i7-7700K / AMD Ryzen 3 3100, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1660 / 8 GB Radeon Rx 590, 40 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit