User Reviews (1 - 11 of 21)

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Top of the line.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 07, 2006
Author: Amazon User

As a big fan of this series, I've tried out most of the games bearing the tilte of 'Three Kingdoms', and this one is my favorite. It offers the most freedom and independence for the player to develop their character(s), and I find its graphics the most enjoyabel as well.

Ancient Chinese History Can Be Exciting.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: February 16, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I admit that when I first started playing this game, it wasn't exactly what I thought it would be. Nevertheless, I got addicted for a short time once I figured out how to play the game. This game is pretty much a decision-making, strategy game, kind of like SimCity. It takes place during the the first 500 years of Chinese history. A "game" ends either when your character dies without an heir or when all three kingdoms of China are united under one ruler. You can choose to just be a warlord or plain officer or a wandering ronin with no allegiance to anyone or a liege in charge of a 3rd of China. Out of all the options, I found the liege option to be the most rewarding. You have to make the most decisions, but it's the only way you have total control over how the outcome of the game will end (in all the other choices, the game can end without you rising as far in status and power as you would like). Not everyone will enjoy this game, but it can be rewarding. It's a great way to learn a bunch of names from ancient Chinese history.

The crown jewel of the series!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 09, 2004
Author: Amazon User

To me, this was when the Romance of the three kingdoms series hit it's high point. Romance 8 expanded upon it but I still like this one a little better. For one thing the combat is slighly easier to get into. You don't have to wait three months before you can engage in warfare. The gameplay is hard but not so hard that you go crazy unlike Romance IX. If you want you can just forget about trying to conquer China at all and just live as a ronin and build your characters stats which is cool.

The music in the game is some of the best in the series. It is worth playing through the game just to hear the majestic score at the end of the game. Multiple endings are good of course although it can be hard to get the 'good' endings. I always became a tyrant and then got conquered by the Xianbei. I hate them so much.

Anyway, this game is a great strategy game but is not for beginners or people who like fast paced games although with this series that goes without saying.

Yawn. Almost Like A Board Game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: February 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is based on stats. Which means, you get a menu after choosing who you want to be, and pick a command like, "Visit"
You never see a visit, just see a talking bubble and a faceset of a character pop-up thanking you for visiting them. Then your stats are raised. This goes on and on for all of the commands. Nothing big happens, just a message telling you what happened after selecting it.
I'm a big fan of "Show not tell"
I don't want to be told defense went up in my region, I want to place my men accordingly and watch them defend. I want to go up to the person I visit, see them, press X, and then talk. Not see them pop up in my menu screen and thank me for visiting them.
I do have to say that once you get farther into the game, it gets more involving with battles and taking over regions. It still, however was not a game for me.
It reminds me of a really complex game of Risk, which again, reminds me of "the board game" aspect of it only turned into a video game.
The music is great, but repititive. And multiple endings to the game adds a ton of replay value which is always a plus!
I suggest rent before buying...and read reviews before even renting. :)

I am romanced by rotk 7

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: July 09, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I recently rented the game and i am compelled to buy it. I will soon by it and found my self romanced by the three kingdoms. It has the addictive qualities of games such as sim city but with the plt of the book. The feature that allows you to create your own liege amd his vassals is very inovative in addition you get to choose the area you desire your characters dynasty to be located.The graphics are not going to aw anyone and the soundtrack is something that takes getting used to. However reguardless of this inperfects i still give this game two thumbs up and 5 stars.

Koei Does It Again

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: June 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

As a fan of both Koei and the strategy simulation games, I knew Romance 7 was going to be enjoyable. And I wasn't wrong. I've been playing this series ever since it was on the original Nintendo in the late 80's, and it's gotten progressively better since then.

With Romance 7, you're still in China around 200 AD, struggling to gain control while the famous warlords vie for power. The Wu, Wei, and Shu clans are at each other's throats, and it will be up to you to determine where your allegiance lies.

You can use the characters from the Three Kingdoms storyline, such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Sun Jian, but you are also able to create custom characters to use as yourself and your subordinates. The gameplay for building your empire and acquiring new talents is very involved and fulfilling.

The combat is not as good as I had expected. Fortunately, it is turn-based, but there's very little you get to see graphically.

Other than that, though, it's just what I'd expect from Koei. Rent it if you're not sure if you like the strategy series, but if you've played any of the other versions, I recommend just purchasing it.

As you get in it more it gets better (maybe)

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 12, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I rented this game 1st. and i wasn't sure what to think about it but as i played it more it got better. you can create a new person (hint: type in Sun Tzu) give the person skills and how good you are. the battle system is pretty cool. the ploys you can pick very on which person you have. there is a secret which alouds you to pick another person (up to 8, i think) and you can have 2 players if you want. The code is R1+R2+L1+l2+START+SELECT. You can create a new dyansty too. to win you must take over ALL of china which can be a challang. Over all the game is good.

History

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: April 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is by far the best that Koei has put out yet. That could all change with the hopefull release of Nobunaga's Ambition Online, but for now ROTK7 is wonderfull. You have to play the game to really get a feal for it but just talking to someone who has played before and you will want to join in.

I must say that the most fun part for myself was that changing of history. If you know anyting about Chinese history and youve played this game you know what im talking about. This game is a must have and deserves better that 5 stars.

Taking Over China.... the Fun way

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 14 / 15
Date: December 07, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I'm a fan of the RoTK Books, and a major supporter of Koei for it's exemplary games. This is by far their most innovative, and engaging game. Obviously considering it's spanned 9 games since the old days of the NES(8 is currently out in Japan, and I'm not sure about 9 yet). Stratgy and mangement are the fundmentals of the game. It doesn't bog you down with micromanaging, or limit your control, rather it has a nice median. If you don't wanna worry bout a kingdom, fine go off and be a prefect of a city, or a general/tactician on the battle front. Even better is you can have up to 8 players, and get a big game of hot seat going like in the good old days of all those older strategy games.

Story/Plot is obviously good, considering it's taken from historical(and fictional) accounts. Whats better is if you've read the books you can see how you sort of alter history, and create your own story of the Three Kingdoms(in my cas eit's more of the 5 kingdoms ^_^). I took over the riverlands, had my providences split when He Jin sneakily captured my supply route, killed Dong Zhou, made a 3 pronged attack on the province He Jin stole, had one of my prefects defect over to He Jin, Took out Han Sui who was threating my northern provinces, allied with Zhang Bao and cut off He Jin from half his kingdom and his warlord Cao Cao, took over He Jin's southern Territories, then decided to turn on Zhang Bao because I noticed he had my Warlord's(Liu Bei) Swords, and currently am on a campaign to reclaim his swords, and grab the Emperor from He Jin. Now thats what I call ownage. Story totally gets a 5.

Graphics tend to be where the major downfall is. I for one don't mind, most Next-Gen games spend their entire budgets and resources to make games graphically incredible for about 5 hours of gameplay. I would say the graphics could be better, but I still get excited about battles and duels even with it's less than par visuals. I say if you looking for graphics, play Dynasty Warriors. Graphics earn a 2, although true startegy players will tell you great graphics don't make for great strategy games *cough War Craft 3 cough*.

Gameplay as I've already said is totally excellent. You can be a Liege, a Prefect, a Ronin, a Common, or a Warlord. I got beef about the Warlord though, your liege asks you inane questions about his generals, and you pretty much have to memorize everyoens stats otherwise he won't let you do ne thing. Aside from that the game has foriegn, demostic, military, politcal, diplomatic, and interpersonal aspects. There are skills to learn, stats to improve, countries to conquer, and an emporer to kiss [butt] to for a title. You can make friends allies, enemies, and even coup your own lord. Combat is excellent, forcing you to watch out for terrain, traps, guard your rear, and complete strategies. Even with a 110 war you can still get wasted in battle if you charge without thinking(bad memories). Gameplay totally gets a 5.

Sound is basic. The msuic is authentic, can kinda get repetive. Theres clanking in duels and battle etc. Nothing spectacualr, or terrible about it. Basically a solid 3.

Replay, 10 different time periods, 500+ characters, create your own, multiplayer, changes every time you play. Nuff said. Another 5.

It's good to see a game like this not dpendent on Graphics, but on the Gameplay. If you like Diablo, or Dark Ages of Camelot, chances are you won't care for this game. If you enjoy Civilization, Age of Empires, or Masters of Orion you'll feel right at home. Hopefully the 8th installment will be coming out soon.

Also, forgive the numerous typos, I'm a terible typist. ^_^

Best ever strategy game this year.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: October 20, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I've played quite a few strategy games in the past and this is by far the best one I've played yet. Every time you play the game, it changes. I'm looking forward to version #8. Thanks KOEI.

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