"A game of real history....."

Real-time strategy games take a lot of patience and skill to win and complete. Without a true introduction to any real strategy games, there is a need to learn just what the mechanics of such a game include. Most of it is time consuming...most of it is just knowing what you're up against, the rest is just luck and not so much skill. Kessen offers a look into Japan and the warring times that the 17th century had to offer.

-Visuals 9/10-

Absolutely stunning, and plenty of eye candy to go around, with clashing battles that bring to life what war was really like, you'll find that just watching is what makes up a good portion of the game. While that might not seem like much, you'll find that it's truly a visual experience.

-Audio 7/10-

While the music is epic in standing, and makes the battles come to life as does the roaring of the armies clashing together and orders being barked out to units all over the battlefield, it does get repetitive after about the first 30 minutes. This is the real downfall of the audio, in which there is only something new when a different scenario comes into effect.

-Control 7/10-

The interface here revolves around making sure that your units have the orders and do what you tell them to do. Where the difficulty comes in, is when you go to switch between the different units and give them orders while trying to keep your other units in check and keeping them from getting routed by the oncoming enemy. Be prepared, the learning curve is ultimately steep here, and only veterans of strategy games will find no diffculty in doing all of this.

-Game Play 7/10-

Most of the game is spent looking through a map of the action that is taking place on-screen. With that in mind, you'll find that the battles aren't commanded overall, but you're taking care of small fights between warring factions that can get overwhelming when your officers keeping begging you for commands.

With this in mind, you'll see that the battle can definately get away from you, and unless you have a real grasp of just what's going on, you'll find yourself looking at the game over screen more often than you really want to.

-Overall 7/10-

While Kessen is a great strategy game that takes you into the world of Japanese history, you'll find that you're just an observer of the battles and not really the overhead commander of what's going on. Looking through the glass, and into what Kessen has to offer, it is difficult, and does offer you a real strategy game with plenty of challenge. For weekend strategy warriors, this one is a rental only...for die hards, this game is for you.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/10/01, Updated 05/10/01