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Exclusive: Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII Q&A Feature
Derek dela Fuente
11/03/2004
TVG takes a look at the first European instalment in the popular strategy series...
TotalVideoGames in their focus and resourcefulness to get the most discerning insight into a game donned a kimono and spoke to Koei in Japan to find out more about Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII. Koei to those not in the know is huge in their native country and the recent set up of a UK/European HQ will significantly see a more pro-active European approach from this distinguished publisher!
Already a number of announcements have been made regarding future releases throughout this year and this is their next title to be released!
Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII is the first European installment of a historical simulation series set amidst the warring states of second century China. Near the year 184 A.D., China was reaching the end of the Han dynasty. The corruption of the Imperial Court triggered a rebellion, and civil war engulfed the land. Men and women of strong will climb onto the stage of history. Some chose to stop the chaos, while others chose to fulfill their own ambitions. Together they wove the threads of a legend that came to be known as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII, players become one of those brave souls that answered the call to arms. Ultimately, the player's goal is the unification of China. Gamers can take on multiple roles, from the proud officer who helps his lord to a rogue general forging his own path to glory.
TVG: Can you tell us a little about the setting for the game and do you believe the ancient Chinese environment, combined with some historical detail, will captivate the UK and European gamers?
The game as many readers will know is set in the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It is a period of turmoil between the end of one huge dynasty and the beginning of the next. For 300 odd years, the country was split into numerous factions, culminating in the formation of three Empires, which divided the land of China.
The purpose of the game is to unite China.
There has always been a kind of glamour involved with things Asian/Oriental. We believe that this setting will in fact captivate the user and offer him a different experience. The popular Dynasty Warriors is also based in this period of time and has done very well in the American and European markets.
TVG: What is the kind of balance between strategy and action?
This is basically a very focused strategy/simulation game. There is not a lot of action per se, though it does deal with the subject of war. I am not certain if this qualifies as a âstrategic ideaâ, but one of the main points of the game is that you can play as any of the 600 or so characters in the game/s, as well as being able to create your own characters to play. These characters come from all the different classes, from ruler to wanderer. Each class differs in the amount of power they wield. This means that any game must be approached differently, making numerous strategies available.
TVG: The game has already been released on NTSC. Firstly, do you not believe, as the game is very specialised, that many fans of Koei and of the series may have bought this and what, if any, changes will be made for the PAL version?
The game will be a straight port. Regardless of this, we believe that there is a sufficient market for the game to warrant this move. We also believe that making the game available, not just to our fans but to the more general public, will increase awareness of our games and open new doors to Koei and our games.
TVG: What do you believe makes the Three Kingdoms world unique and special in terms of pure strategy and gameplay?
I would say that the biggest factor is merely the sheer depth of gameplay and the range of potential strategies available. Also, the fact that this game is based on history adds a kind of enthusiasm to those who know the situations that are portrayed throughout the game. The desire to see certain events effect strategy and play. Finally, this game is about people and the interactions of those people. Choosing how to interact with other characters and knowing that might save you in the end has a distinct effect on gameplay.
TVG: For gamers who may not be au fait with either Koei or Romance can you sum up the basic premise for the player in terms of objectives when playing the game?
Objective - Unite China under one banner.
TVG: You can play as a member for any of the Three Kingdoms. What differances are there for each of these?
Who you are affects your rank, your associations, your starting position, your statistics, abilities, etc. Each gives you a different experience.
TVG: The game is very much text and stats driven. Do you feel that a more graphically rich game is more the taste of European gamers or do you feel that gameplay is strong enough to overcome any other issue?
I guess you can say to a large degree the game is stats and text driven. With regard to the graphics, this is a style issue. We believe that the graphic style supplements the game and helps to capture the feel of the time, allowing the player to experience the period better.
TVG: Can you tell us a couple of tasks the player will undertake?
For example, the first task of a free officer is to develop himself to a point that he is able to join a good force. Alternatively, he must improve relations with other officers so as to form a band. The main task of a Prefect is to build up his city and prepare for war.
TVG: There is a huge amount of info - ranks, classes - to understand. What kind of help / tutorial guidance is given?
We have provided prompts at the bottom of the screen telling what each command does. We have an in game glossary and FAQ section to provide hints on game play. Weâve tried to provide as much help as possible. Initially, switching back and forth might be time consuming, but once used to the game, it becomes less necessary.
THANK YOU
Romance offers an immersive and challenging experience and its originality is something to be admired â“ surely millions of Japanese and Asian fans canât be wrong?
We look forward to reviewing this title shortly!
