Romance of the Three Kingdoms VII

"Excellent Game"

Well, I'm not very good at reviewing, but I figured I'd try. First off, let me say that I love this game. I will, however, try to keep my bias out of the review.

Gameplay: 8
well, it is a strategy game, pure and simple. If you are expecting a fast-paced action game, then you will probably end up burning this game after the first few minutes of play. However, it is a very GOOD strategy game, IMO. With all of the many aspects to take in, the millions of combinations of battle, diplomatic, and personal tactics and goals, and the random and chaotic structure that this game has, I think it will be very enjoyable to any who like a good strategy game. And there are many other gameplay features in this game that are sure to keep any strategy fan, one new to the RoTK series or one that has been playing since the original RoTK 1. New features include the ability to control a single officer. For example, you may choose to start your game as GuanYu and work under LiuBei, or maybe quit LiuBei's service and become a ronin, wandering and looking for a better master to serve. there are 5 classes you can have, and each has a different play-style, and different strategies: Liege (you rule your own country. You decide it's fate, and can control everything from who is appointed to warlord or a prefect, to the duties of each specific officer.), Warlord (you are the Liege's highest advisor. You can direct his every move. You can even, if you are one of those disloyal good fer nuttin' types, choose to use your influence to execute your liege and replace him yourself.), Prefect (you have been chose to govern over a city. you control the domestic and military actions of that city, and you control each officer that resides in that city. You may choose to do such things as switch sides with your city, over to another, more powerful ruler, or even just claim that city as your own and start a new empire), Officer (you are but one of many of your liege's officers. You mainly follow his orders, but if you have high abilities he is sure to recognize them and promote you.), and Ronin (you are the lowest of classes; a masterless wanderer. You can look for a liege to serve, or start a new empire by claiming a ruler-less city.).

Replay Value: 10
This game is NEVER completely the same. Even if you TRIED you could not play the same game twice. Pretty much anything can happen. I've seen SunJian slaughtered by Yellow Scarves, the entire kingdom of Wei and Wu overthrown by ZhugeDan, and even the mighty LuBu fall to some created officer in a duel.

Sound:6
Bleach. I really do not like most of the music or sound effects. I suppose it is just a matter of taste, however. It probably is quite fitting to the game.

Graphics:7
They are quite good, but not exactly GREAT. The portraits are quite well done, and some of the cinemas are of fair quality.

Overall:9 (this is not the average of the scores, but rather my assesment on what this game's overall score should be)
Well, I may have missed many great aspects of this game (I told you I'm a crappy reviewer), but trust me, it is GREAT. If you have played previous RoTK games and enjoyed them I'm 90% sure you will enjoy this game just as much, if not more. The difficulty level ranges from easy to incredibly hard, depending on who you are playing as. I do not see how anyone who enjoys strategy games could dislike this game. However; to each their own. I must, however, warn off people who think this game is like DW(Dynasty Warriors)3 in ANY way. I like DW3 and all, but is is basically PURE action with but the smallest hint of strategy. This game, on the other hand, is PURE strategy. Anyways, I probably will hurt myself later for this review because I forgot to mention very important things that I should have, but oh well. This will have to do. Proof reading is for the weak! Retarded mistakes are for the strong!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/24/02, Updated 07/24/02