Title: Total War: Three kingdoms
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: SEGA
Platform: Steam
Release Date: Thursday, 23rd of May, 2019
Price: 59.99€ / 59.99$ /39.99£
System Requirements:
- RECOMMENDED:
- OS: Windows 10 64 Bit
- Processor: Intel i5-6600 | Ryzen 5 2600X
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: GTX 970 | R9 Fury X 4GB VRAM
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 60 GB available space
Introduction
Total war: Three kingdoms is part of the total war franchise. A series of strategy titles. For those unfamiliar with the series, Total War combines a Civilization-like turn based aspect with real-time battles. On the campaign map you build and manage your empire. Construction, unit creation, trade, diplomacy, taxes and subterfuge are all done on the campaign map. When armies meet on the campaign map the game becomes a real-time battle where you can directly control your forces.
Total war three kingdoms is set in ancient china 190 AD. The once glorious Han dynasty is on the verge of collapse, while the major yellow turban rebellion might have failed to destroy the Han dynasty but it has allowed for Dong Zhou to manipulate the emperor Xian. His oppressive rule has lead China into chaos. Several warlords are rising in power and forming alliances to remove Dong Zhou from power.
190 AD, in which the once glorious Han dynasty is on the verge of collapse. The new emperor, Emperor Xian, enthroned at the age of eight, was manipulated by the warlord Dong Zhuo, whose oppressive rule leads to chaos. New warlords are rising into power and forming alliances to start the campaign against Dong Zhuo. With each warlord having personal ambitions and allegiances constantly shifting, the champions that emerge from the everlasting wars will shape the future of China.
New features
Guanxi system – For the first time in a total war game, characters are now persistent thought the game world and have relationships between each other. Each character has 3 traits that define how that character behaves. Some require high titles to be satisfied while others are content just being with their friends. Not only will the traits of the characters influence relationships but also how the game unfolds, with enemy generals becoming friends or rivals. These relationships will make inter and intra-faction generals feel alive.
Spy system – This system allows you to send one of your characters to another faction. If the AI picks that char and uses them, you gain access to several new options. From line of sight to inciting civil war as well as defection. This spy system combined with the Guanxi system will make allegiances somewhat fluid.
Diplomacy – Total war three kingdoms possesses much more diplomatic options when compared to the previous total wars. From trading food, to a new coalition "alliance" going through marriage and threatening; these new diplomatic options will allow for more nuance between faction relationships.
Retinue system – Unlike previous total wars where you each general commands up to 19 units; In total war 3 kingdoms each character can command up to 6 units. Up to 3 chars can join up to make an army.
Dilemma – Each playable char has a series of unique events at the start of the campaign to represent their historical situation at the current start date.
Romance VS Records – Total war three kingdoms has 2 different playable modes. Romance mode will have bright colors and single unit generals that can beat hundreds of enemy troops. Romance mode tries to emulate the "romance of the three kingdoms". Records mode on the other hand will have a more realistic palate as well as generals having a bodyguard unit like a traditional total war game.
The Map
Warlords are characters that aspire to become emperor. They are focused on achieving supremacy over others. These also play like a traditional total war faction.
Historically, Cao Cao was the founder of one the 3 kingdoms – the kingdom of Wei. In the start of the game he has two great officers, Xiahou Dun e Xiahou Yuan, and is branded as enemy of Dong Zhou. The initial dilemma of Cao Cao is around Tao Qian whom kills Cao Cao's father. It is up to you if you ride for revenge or prefer to gather your forces for the stronger enemies nearby. With the powerful Yuan Shao to the north, Dong Zhou to the east and Sun Jian to the south, Cao Cao has to use all his cunning and his unique manipulation mechanic to keep these powerful foes at bay until he is powerful enough to defeat them.
Historically, Liu Bei was the founder of one of the 3 kingdoms – the kingdom of Shu. He is known as a benevolent ruler, capable of being empathic with the common folk. Even though he is part of the Han imperial lineage Liu Bei starts with barely any land in his control. With the help of his sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, at the start of the campaign he will have to choose whether to help Tao Qian fight against Cao Cao or not. Tao Qian is accused of killing Cao Cao's father, should you help Tao Qian to prove your virtue you will receive Tao Qian lands when he dies.
Historically, Sun Jian was the founder of one of the 3 kingdoms – the kingdom of Wu. Known as the Tiger of Jian Dong, Sun Jian is a skilled and daring warrior. His initial start is all about the imperial seal that Sun Jian found. Liu Biao requests that you return the imperial seal. You have 2 choices: return it to Liu Biao or fight him while allying Yuan Shu. With Liu Biao as a powerful foe in your northern border, this decision will have lasting effects on where you can expand.
But Sun Jian is not alone, he has 3 kids – Sun Ce, Sun Quan and Sun Ren. With the right guidance and protection, the young members of the sun family could become formidable warriors, maybe even surpassing their father!
Gongsun Zan is a militaristic minded commander. This means his faction is governed by military commanders instead of the usual administrators. His initial challenge is to choose between joining your friend, Yuan Shao, attacking Han FU or attack your rival Liu Yu. To overcome these challenges Gonsun Zan employs Zhao Yun one of the most powerful warriors of the three kingdoms. He also maintains a good relationship with his old friend Liu Bei.
Yuan Shu is a decadent and extravagant ruler, relying heavily in his commanders. After his father's death by Dong Zhou he never accepted his brother's, Yuan Shao, leadership. Due to his personality he is prone to having antagonistic relationships as such he risks facing many foes without allies.
Yuan Shao is a powerful and charismatic warlord that worked with Dong Zhou to defeat the yellow turban rebellion. As Dong Zhou became more and more ambitious and tyrannical, Yuan Shao refused to stand alongside him creating a coalition and inviting other local powerful warlords such as Cao Cao. At the start of the campaign he also considers his brother, Yuan Shu, as a rival.
(unlockable faction)
To unlock Dong Zhou you need to accomplish one of the following objectives:
- Defeat Dong Zhou faction.
- Become emperor.
Dong Zhou has become regent by taking advantage of the chaos created by both the yellow turban rebellion and the corruption of the Ten attendants. As a tyrant, Dong Zhou intimidates nearby warlords into subservience. He is supported not only by some of the best warriors of the time like Zhang Liao but also by the greatest warrior of the three kingdoms, Lu Bu. Unfortunately due to his corrupted and tyrannical persona most warlords are gathering to fight Dong Zhou, the main leader of the opposition is the noble leader Yuan Shao. Both Cao Cao and Sun Jian also have vowed to remove Dong Zhou from power. Dong Zhou has to balance between keeping the Han intact while defeating the warlords rising to take his power.
Governors
Governors are characters that are loyal to the han as such they can not declare themselves as emperor. To become emperor rank they need to conquer the capital of a faction that as achieved the emperor rank. The governors are characters that focus on playing tall. Their mechanics are geared to allow growth without needing to heavily expand their territory through military might.
Kong Rong is said to be a descendant of Confucius, armed with his sharped tongue he navigates diplomacy with ease. His initial challenge is defending Qing province from the remnants of the yellow turban rebellion. Supported by Taishi Ci and his friend Liu Bei he will have a relatively speaking safe start since most of the powerful warlords will be aiming for other territories at the start. This means Kong Rong can use all his wisdom to slowly expand and improve his territory.
The traditionalist Liu Biao, governor of the king province starts as the overlord of Huang Zu and Cai Mao. These vassals protect his southern border. With his focus in knowledge, officers under Liu Biao will evolve faster. His initial dilemma is the conflict between Yuan Shao and Sun Jian. Yuan Shao demands that Liu Biao attacks Sun Jian to recover the imperial seal. The choice between angering the mighty northern warlord or the tiger of Jian Dong will make all the difference! However whatever path you choose the greatest archer of the three kingdoms, Huang Zong stands with you.
Ma Teng is very loyal to the Han even though he doesn't agree with the methods of Dong Zhou. He is one of the few factions that starts allied with Dong Zhou. Ma Teng governs the Liang province with Han Sui, his old friend. Ma Teng´s son, Ma Chao, although still a child, is already showing the potential to be a great warrior. Ma Teng's starting challenge is the civil war that erupts when Dong Zhou is defeated. The choice is between rescuing the emperor or biding your time as you become stronger by slowly expanding smaller opponents.
Bandit
Bandits focus in raiding and managing loot. Their tech tree is heavily connected to their starting position so depending on whom you chose and where you start your roster will give you different weapons. Alongside this they can offer their services to other factions serving as mercenaries for other wars. This faction is heavily focused in war. 
Zhang Yan is a bandit focused in guerrilla warfare. His initial challenge is choosing whether to attack Yuan Shao while he is fighting Gonsun Zan or attack the rival bandits to the north. To the south the bandit queen Zheng Jiang could be a useful ally or she could become a powerful rival.
Zheng Jiang, the bandit queen, operates by subduing others and burning the world. She and her sworn sister, Lu Zheng, will need all the infamy they can gather to strike fear into the hearts of the powerful warlords of china. At the start of the campaign she has to decide whether to answer the call to arms from Zhang Yan against Yuan Shao or use that opportunity to strike your closest rival.
Yellow Turbans
Huang Shao
Of all the remaining Yellow Turban leaders, Huang Shao is the one who is most loyal to the teachings of Zhang Jue, the original founder. Huang Shao starts with the loyal Pei Yuanshao at his side, a Yellow Turban veteran, and he's surrounded by formidable enemies – most notably Kong Rong, Liu Bei, and Yuan Shao – and you will have to choose to either lash out and strike first or play defensively and hold out until your forces are strong enough to slowly start expanding.
He Yi
He Yi is a charismatic and fanatical leader who has devoted himself to doing good and ending the suffering of the people. He Yi starts surrounded by a lot of powerful enemies – Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, and Sun Jian. However, Huang Shao is a powerful potential ally and relatively close. Standing his ground can be tough, so it might be better for He Yi to flee elsewhere – perhaps south-east – to rebuild and gather strength for the rebellion.
Gong Du
Gong Du's reasons for joining the yellow turban rebellions are more grounded in pragmatisms instead of religion like the other leaders. As such his guerrilla camps and unique stance make for an army capable of striking enemies very far away from home territory. With the veteran Zhan Kai at his side, Gong Du starts the campaign with several options to expand.
Additional payed Content
- Yellow Turban Rebellion (23/05/2019)
- Blood DLC (27/06/2019)
- Eight princes (08/08/2019)
- Mandate of Heaven (16/01/2020)
- A World Betrayed (19/03/2020)
- Chapter pack 3 (TBA)
- Nanman faction pack (TBA)
- further content is planed?
Free content
Dynasty - new game mode where you play only as one char. Up to 3 players fight against waives of enemies.
Yellow turban and bandits reworked into their own factions. These factions don't re-use han features anymore.
Dozens of unique new characters such as Guo Jia, Huang Gai, Jia Xu, Pang Tong ...
New free playable characters for the base game:
Patch Notes
PATCH 1.1.0 (25/06/2019)
PATCH 1.2.0 (06/08/2019)
PATCH 1.3.0 (25/09/2019)
FAQ
Do I have to pre-order to get the yellow turban rebellion?No, buying the game in the 1st week still gives you the DLC
Will there be mod tools?
Yes, there will be mod tools in the near future.
Thank you to Danicard and Anno for helping me out!
Another thank you for the whole resetERA comunity for enganing with me over my favorite games
The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide ; THROUGH TOTAL WAR
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