Romance of the Three Kingdoms 13
- July 5, 2016
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII is a good RTS, but there’s plenty to learn that may put off those looking for a shorter and snappier experience.
"The ultimate depiction of the Three Kingdom. A heroic drama of a gathering of Legends." Based on this concept for Romance of the Three Kingdoms 13, we have compiled an experience that will immerse the player deep into the historically turbulent world of the Three Kingdoms, with "human drama," seen through daily interactions both on the battlefield and off between the many heroic characters of the…
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
PlayStation
Reviews
- Rich characters and historical authenticity enhance the immersive experience.
- The game offers a vast number of strategies and a complex relationship system, providing depth to city management.
- Hero Mode serves as an excellent tutorial, easing newcomers into the game's mechanics.
- Combat is overly simplistic and lacks tactical depth, making battles less engaging.
- The graphics are outdated and visually unappealing, particularly on the world map and during fights.
- The game can be overwhelming for newcomers due to its complexity and excessive menus.
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is mechanically sound but lacks innovation, resulting in an oversimplified experience that disappoints despite its potential. While the game features complex mechanics and a nuanced political aspect, it can be overwhelming for newcomers, particularly due to its real-time strategy elements not being well-suited for consoles. Overall, the gameplay offers depth and intrigue but may alienate players seeking a more accessible experience.
“Beautiful visuals for the cut scenes, really in-depth mechanics for everything that goes on behind the warfront.”
“Complex lore; good characterization and an intriguing narrative; the 'political' side of the gameplay is incredibly nuanced; hero mode.”
“Gameplay is so complex; it's obscure and difficult for newcomers to the franchise to jump in. Real-time strategy mechanics are not optimized for consoles.”
“In all, the game works mechanically well but lacks innovation and plays it too safe.”
“The oversimplified gameplay mixed with lackluster combat makes for a game that plays well but leaves you with the disappointing notion of what could have been.”
“Gameplay is so complex, it's obscure and difficult for newcomers to the franchise to jump in; real-time strategy mechanics are not optimized for consoles.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful cut scenes while others criticize the outdated visuals and lackluster design of the world map and combat sequences. Overall, the aesthetic quality appears inconsistent, with significant room for improvement in certain areas.
“Beautiful visuals for the cut scenes, really in-depth mechanics for everything that goes on behind the warfront.”
“The visuals leave a lot to be desired, particularly on the world map and in fights, which are, frankly, ugly at best.”
“Excessive menus, politically weighted, and outdated graphics.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is notably better for PC, with controls tailored for that platform, while the PS4 version struggles with complex gameplay mechanics that are not well-suited for consoles, making it challenging for newcomers to engage with the franchise.
“A clone of Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence with controls optimized for the PC and not the PS4.”
“A clone of Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence with controls optimized for the PC and not the PS4.”
“Gameplay is so complex that it's obscure and difficult for newcomers to the franchise to jump in; real-time strategy mechanics are not optimized for consoles.”
- story1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's story is rich in detail, offering players numerous options to build their empire, whether by rising through the ranks or ruling as a leader. Players can forge personal alliances, engage in marriages, and create rivalries, leading to significant opportunities for emergent storytelling, especially during wartime.
“There's a high amount of detail to be found, giving you a large number of options to work your way up to the top of an empire. You can either be the ruler and delegate, make personal allies, get married, or make enemies. The chances for emergent storytelling are great, particularly when you go to war.”
“The narrative is rich and immersive, drawing you into a world filled with complex characters and intricate plots that keep you engaged throughout your journey.”
“Every choice you make has a significant impact on the story, allowing for a unique experience that feels personal and rewarding.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its beauty, enhancing the immersive experience of the beautifully crafted world. Additionally, it complements the bond system and the ability to create your own characters, adding depth to the overall gameplay.
“The music in this game is absolutely beautiful and enhances the overall experience.”
“I love how the soundtrack complements the bond system and the character creation.”
“The world is stunning, and the music perfectly captures its beauty.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
While the absence of multiplayer is noted as a drawback, the AI's effectiveness contributes positively to the game's replayability in the main mode.
“The lack of multiplayer is a downside, but the AI is enough to enhance the replay value of the main mode.”
“Every playthrough feels unique due to the diverse choices and outcomes available.”
“The game offers multiple paths and endings, encouraging players to explore different strategies.”
“The lack of multiplayer is a downside, but the AI is enough to raise the replay value of the main mode.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
“The game feels repetitive after the first playthrough, and I found myself losing interest quickly.”
Critic Reviews
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII Review – Into The West
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII is a decent game that simply tries too much. Mixing role playing and strategy aspects, though never the best at either, there's a lot to do. The other major issue is simply how ugly it looks outside of the drawn art.
66%Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII Review
There is nothing wrong with Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII. Just as before, for those new to the genre, it will be a daunting order made more so by the increased diplomatic focus, yet to those whom are already initiated, it will be a pleasing game to curl up to for those looking for a more action-focused, and less family-murdery, Crusader Kings II. Either way, it will be divisive, but its quality also undeniable.
80%Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII PS4 Review
A clone of Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence with controls optimized for the PC and not the PS4. ROTK13 lacks any of the basic macro and combat strategy fundamentals of previous titles, making this a sequel in name only. If you liked Sphere of Influence then you’ll enjoy this title too. But for those who waited for an ROTK game, keep waiting.
50%
