Kingdom Heroes 8

58%
Game Brain Score Based on 161 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • optimization
Kingdom Heroes 8 Game Cover
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Heroes of the Three Kingdoms 8 is the eighth installment in the Heroes of the Three Kingdoms series of strategic war games based on the classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The first main-line sequel in over 13 years, the game gives the series a new look while staying true to its core formula.

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Reviews

58%
Audience ScoreBased on 161 reviews
replayability2 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The graphics have significantly improved, with well-designed character models and beautiful skill animations.
  • The addition of English support makes the game more accessible for non-Chinese speakers, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The game brings back nostalgic elements for long-time fans of the series, providing a familiar yet updated gameplay experience.
  • The gameplay and skill system have been downgraded compared to previous versions, leading to a less engaging experience.
  • The game suffers from excessive waiting times for actions and a convoluted management system, making it feel tedious.
  • There are numerous bugs and balance issues, including overpowered characters and a lack of strategic depth in battles.
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics in the latest version have seen notable improvements, with many users acknowledging a modernized look and better character models. However, some players feel that while the graphics are enhanced, the overall user interface and level design remain outdated and unengaging, leading to mixed reviews about the game's visual upgrades. Overall, the graphics are considered decent, but they do not fully compensate for other shortcomings in gameplay and design.

    • “Basically, the graphics improvement and English support are a big plus for this version.”
    • “Decent graphics that seem modern enough.”
    • “The game plays differently from previous iterations, and the graphics are good improvements.”
    • “Not much improvement other than the graphics.”
    • “Terrible game, nothing comparable to the classic. The interface is really bad; better graphics, but the interface has become so user-unfriendly. Do not buy!”
    • “I have been playing this game franchise since I was young. This latest release is just bad; the level design doesn't have much improvement. It is just a very old, boring game system with better graphics (and the graphics are not really that good). The level design from decades ago just doesn't work in the era we are in now.”
  • gameplay5 mentions

    Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players appreciating the mechanics while others criticize the game's flow and execution, particularly in comparison to its predecessor. Despite post-launch patches aimed at improving the experience, the overall reception remains divided, highlighting a notable learning curve for new systems.

    • “The gameplay is engaging and keeps you on your toes.”
    • “The mechanics are well-designed and enhance the overall experience.”
    • “Barely finished game with strange gameplay flow; not fun.”
    • “Userjoy spent two days working on post-launch patches, but people are mixed over the changes made since the fourth game, which suffers from poor execution in changing the gameplay.”
    • “There is always some sort of learning curve to a new system and game mechanics.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    User reviews present a stark contrast regarding optimization, with some praising it as "unbelievable," while others criticize the game for being "very poorly optimized." This indicates a divided experience among players, suggesting that optimization may vary significantly depending on individual setups or expectations.

    • “The game is also very poorly optimized.”
    • “Unbelievable optimization.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's replayability, particularly fans of the Three Kingdoms series, as ongoing updates enhance its playability and keep the experience fresh.

    • “As a Three Kingdoms fan, I purchase all 3K games as long as they are playable.”
    • “The team has been actively pushing updates to make the game more replayable.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players express frustration with the grinding mechanics, citing repetitive farming for items as a major detractor from enjoyment. They criticize the merchant system for offering limited and often useless items, suggesting that it should provide more valuable resources like scrolls and better equipment to alleviate the grind. Overall, the low drop rates exacerbate the issue, making the grinding experience feel tedious and unfulfilling.

    • “More needs to be done to make the game enjoyable, not a torment of repeating grinding and farming for items, especially when they should be available from merchants, like the horse items.”
    • “The merchant system itself is a failure; the rarity of the items is generally useless except for skill upgrades. It should also sell scrolls and at least purple equipment (not weapons or horses). The grinding on the map, where the drop rate is so low, only makes the whole experience worse.”
    • “The grinding mechanics are tedious and feel like a chore rather than an engaging part of the game.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy is criticized as a blatant cash grab, typical of many mobile games, particularly those influenced by classic Chinese models. Players feel that the system prioritizes profit over player experience.

    • “It's almost a mobile cash grab system.”
    • “No classic Chinese property can escape becoming a shameless cash grab.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers note that character development has significantly improved compared to previous versions, highlighting enhanced character design as a key aspect of this progress.

    • “Character design is also really well made compared to the previous version.”
  • story1 mentions

    Users express frustration with the story's pacing, highlighting excessive waiting times for generals and missions that detract from the overall engagement and enjoyment of the narrative. The repetitive nature of these delays leads to a sense of time wasted before any meaningful gameplay or battles occur.

    • “I can't believe I've spent so much time waiting for 20-30 generals to become available. It's frustrating to wait for every other mission to finish with the same long wait times, and I haven't even engaged in battle yet!”
    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to stay invested in the characters and their journeys.”
    • “I was really hoping for a compelling narrative, but the plot twists are predictable and the dialogue is often cringeworthy.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game has been reported to have significant bugs, impacting its overall stability.

    • “The game is buggy.”
    • “I frequently encounter crashes that disrupt my gameplay.”
    • “There are numerous glitches that make it hard to enjoy the experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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