" One of my least favorite RTK games"

This is my first review I've ever contributed, so bear with me. I feel I had to write a review because, this is probably the worst $60 I spent ever. Gamestop charges $55.99 plus tax.

Graphics: 7/10

This game has one of the most polished graphics of any koei game out. Although that isn't saying much, koei has never really been a company to put great quality in their games. The battle interface is smooth, and has great effects. The cutscenes that show each tactic used in the game is also well polished. It looks like the lip synching has improved too. I was wondering why, koei didn't have graphics like that for DW3 or Kessen. I realized that they're really just cutscenes.

Sound: 6/10

The music to this game has a soothing feel, and is well orchestrated. But there aren't many tracks in the game and the music tends to get boring fast. In my opinion, the voice acting for this game is the worst of any other koei game, and there isn't much the generals have to say. When you use a tactic like say ''Revive'', you will only hear the same two lines from every general.

Control: 10/10

Not much to say. You press x to confirm, and triangle to cancel. Standard controls, nothing really to learn. The in-game menus are pretty easy to navigate too.

Gameplay: 6/10

This game has one of the most original scheme to it that I've played in a long time. No other game really compares to it, which can be good and bad. The game sort of takes place on a chess-like grid, in which you move your units across. Each general has ''tactics'' to use, if certain conditions are met can be used. A tactic may position the enemy in a certain way, so that one of your allies, can use his tactic to form a combo. Combos can be used from 2-8 times. I've only gotten about 6. Combos require heavy thinking and are essential to beating the game. This critical thinking is where the average gamer mostly will not like. Besides that, the battle system gets pretty boring, and this game is all about battles.

Overall: 6/10

This is really the only RTK game which I didn't like. After playing Dynasty Warriors, I got into games like kessen and RTK. I thought I'd hate Romance of the Three Kingdoms 7, because of how confusing the game looked, but I loved the game. I'd prefer RTK7 over this game anyday. I may not be the most hardcore RTK fan, but I've played enough and read the book. This game is not meant for people who haven't played any previous RTK game.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 09/19/02, Updated 09/19/02