Total War: Three Kingdoms
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 Total War: Three Kingdoms - Portal Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia Medieval II: Total War - Portal |
Total War: Three Kingdoms is Creative Assembly's 12th major release in the Total War Series, set in ancient China in the Three Kingdoms period, it will start in 190 AD. The game will use the 64-bit Warscape Engine that was developed for Total War: Warhammer. The game is due out for Microsoft Windows on March 7, 2019, Feral Interactive has announced that the game will be released for macOS and Linux shortly afterward.
Contents
Overview
Whilst still featuring the turn-based strategy, factions, and campaign and battle map play, familiar from older games in the series, Three Kingdoms aims to be more 'character focused'. Diplomacy has been re-worked and becomes a more important part of the game. described as 'Guanxi' after the Chinese concept.
PLEASE NOTE: The details in this article are based on pre-release previews and reviews and may be subject to change.
Play Modes
Total War: Three Kingdoms will introduce two different modes of campaign play, a 'Classic' version based on the Records of the Three Kingdoms which aims for greater historical accuracy, and a new 'Romance Mode' based on the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms which portrays generals and faction leaders as powerful heroes with special powers.
Campaign Map
Warlords
Generals and leaders seem set to be more important than in older titles, and the game will include the ability for the traits and abilities of up to three generals to be used in one army.
Biographical and playstyle details have been released of the eleven legendary warlords you will be able to play as. See full details here.
zoner16 on TWC has provided in-depth descriptions of the historical characters of the time see here.
Cao Cao
In Game;
- Hero Class: Commander
- Start Position: Chen - a central position south of the Yellow River.
- Initial Dilemma: To ride to war and avenge his father's death or to build an empire first.
In History;
- Clan: The Cao Clan of Qiao
- Style Name: Mengde
- Positions: Chancellor of State, King of Wei, Emperor Wu of Wei (posthumously)
- Wikipedia Biography
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms;
- Portrayed as a cruel and suspicious villain.
Gongsun Zan
In Game;
- Hero Class: Vanguard
- Start Position: Youbeiping - defensible position to the north.
- Initial Dilemma: Attack Liu Yu, or ally with him to attack Han Fu.
In History;
- Clan: The Gongsun Clan of Youbeiping
- Style Name: Bogui
- Positions: Inspector of You Province(self-appointed), General, Marquis of Yi.
- Wikipedia Biography
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms;
- Leads elite cavalry unit, the White Riders.
- Joins coalition against Dong Zhou.
- Declares war on Yuan Shao for killing his younger brother.
Kong Rong
In Game;
- Hero Class: Strategist
- Start Position: Beihai
- Initial Dilemma: How to use a 'great warrior' who offers his services.
In History;
- Clan: The Kong Clan of Beihai
- Style Name: Wenju
- Positions: Minister Steward, Palace Counselor, Court Architect, Chancellor of Beihai
- Wikipedia Biography
Liu Bei
In Game;
- Hero Class: Commander
- Start Position: Dong Province
- Initial Dilemma: To help Tai Qian in his fights against Cao Cao or remain neutral.
In History;
- Clan: The Liu Clan of Zhuo
- Style Name: Xuande
- Positions: General of the Left, Emperor Zhaolie of Han
- Wikipedia Biography
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms;
- Portrayed as a compassionate and righteous leader, endowed with charismatic potency.
- Wields a pair of double-edged swords called shuang gu jian.
Liu Biao
In Game;
- Hero Class: Commander
- Start Position: Xiangyang
- Initial Dilemma: Agree to help Yuan Shao against Sun Jian and Yuan Shu, or ignore Yuan Shao's request.
In History;
- Clan: The Liu Clan of Xiangyang
- Style Name: Jingsheng
- Positions: General Who Guards the South and Governor of Jing, Marquis of Chengwu
- Wikipedia Biography
Ma Teng
In Game;
- Hero Class: Vanguard
- Start Position: Wudu - in the west.
- Initial Dilemma: Whether to engage in the civil war between the separatist and loyalist remains of Dong Zhuo's faction.
In History;
- Clan: The Ma Clan of Liang
- Style Name: Shoucheng
- Positions: Commandant of the Guards, Marquis of Huaili
- Wikipedia Biography
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms;
- Portrayed as a loyalist of the declining Han dynasty.
- Participates in plots to assassinate Cao Cao.
Diplomacy
Diplomacy has been re-worked and is intended to be a more important part of the game introducing concepts such as 'obligations, reciprocity, and trust'.
Reviews
Reviews so far have been intriguing with PCGamer describing it as 'ambitious, beautiful and confusing'.
System Requirements & Release Details
Total War: Three Kingdoms is already available for pre-order. The game is due out for Microsoft Windows on March 7, 2019, Feral Interactive has announced that the game will be released for macOS and Linux shortly afterward.
