• Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: May 23, 2019
Total War: Three Kingdoms Image
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 64 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 394 Ratings

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  • Summary: Total War: THREE KINGDOMS is the first in the award-winning series to recreate epic conflict across ancient China. Combining a gripping turn-based campaign of empire-building & conquest with stunning real-time battles, THREE KINGDOMS redefines the series in an age of heroes & legends.

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Total War: Three Kingdoms - A Hero's Journey Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 64
  2. Negative: 0 out of 64
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    May 31, 2019
    100
    Massive enhancement of all systems is perfectly complemented by beautiful audio and visuals. You won’t regret this trip to China! [Issue#295]
  2. May 22, 2019
    90
    It’s not without its UI issues, but Total War 3 Kingdoms provides a beautiful, rich strategy that is well paced while enjoying a new layer of story depth through diplomacy and intrigue.
  3. Jul 8, 2019
    90
    One of the best entries in the series yet, deep enough for veterans and approachable for the new players.
  4. May 22, 2019
    85
    After several years, we finally have a true Total War experience in Three Kingdoms. Covering almost everything that a fan of strategy genre craves, Three Kingdoms is one of the most complete entries in the TW series and one of the best strategies in recent years.
  5. May 27, 2019
    80
    Yet another great entry in the long-running series. While it may not be the absolute pinnacle of what Creative Assembly can achieve, it has become my favorite entry simply because of the setting used. We've reached a point where your personal favorite Total War will be determined more by the property being adapted than any worry about quality or gameplay factors. Since everything is fine in Three Kingdoms, what else do I really need to say?
  6. May 16, 2019
    80
    Cold, hard battle strategy meets the warmth of human interaction and politics to create an engaging and addictive experience.
  7. May 16, 2019
    70
    Three Kingdoms is another solid instalment in the Total War franchise, but lacks a certain wow factor. Creative Assembly has made some clever refinements around the edges of that enduringly addictive strategic core, allowing fans to steep themselves in yet another historic saga. However, there’s a chance that some won’t gel with this new setting or the way Guanzhong’s epic has been adapted. It’s another fun and rewarding take on the series, though we’d struggle to call it a must-buy.

See all 68 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 113
  2. Negative: 24 out of 113
  1. Jul 4, 2022
    10
    I don't think anything fairer than a note 10! There are many small details that could be better. Regardless, I have a lot of fun trying newI don't think anything fairer than a note 10! There are many small details that could be better. Regardless, I have a lot of fun trying new lords and different ways to play. I highly recommend! At first, you get lost with so much information, but soon you get used to it and want more! Of the total wars I've played, I believe it's the best in interface, difficulty and story. Expand
  2. May 24, 2019
    10
    Best Total war by far. Extremely fun to play campaign and awesome real time battles. Hope that in the future will ad much more uniqueBest Total war by far. Extremely fun to play campaign and awesome real time battles. Hope that in the future will ad much more unique characters in the game.
    Really enjoyed playing this game.
    Expand
  3. May 23, 2019
    10
    After a few hours play I am already getting a sense of how deep this game is. Running flawlessly as well, performance is a marked improvementAfter a few hours play I am already getting a sense of how deep this game is. Running flawlessly as well, performance is a marked improvement over previous games. Expand
  4. Jun 20, 2019
    8
    Definitely an improvement in the Total War game lineup, there seems to be a development team here focused on creating an immersive strategyDefinitely an improvement in the Total War game lineup, there seems to be a development team here focused on creating an immersive strategy game and that is a good thing. The UI is intuitive and the tech tree makes sense. The simulation of China is well done, however AI seems to repeat battle formations and attack moves if you play for a period of time. Expand
  5. Jun 18, 2019
    7
    Tao Te Ching says, "The Wise don't covet leadership, so wind up in charge." This is NOT a tenable philosophy for any of the Total War series.Tao Te Ching says, "The Wise don't covet leadership, so wind up in charge." This is NOT a tenable philosophy for any of the Total War series. The Three Kingdoms period, in particular, was an unimaginable bloodbath in which the population of east Asia was much reduced. Treachery and aggression were the norm, at least among those who came out on top. If you are comfortable being "the meanest SOB in the Valley" then this game's for you. It certainly has enough challenge and complexity to occupy you for as long as you can stand it.

    That said, there are flaws. It's especially hard to learn for somebody who isn't very familiar with the Total War franchise. Most instructional material assumes you already know a great deal about the game's mechanics, and the interface is a daunting maze that's not at all intuitive. There are also some bugs that await swatting. One I found was the lack of diplomatic options for the player who chooses the recommended settings for a beginner.

    To close as we began, the Tao Te Ching has this to say,
    "The best soldiers don't get violent;
    The best fighters don't get angry;
    The best winners don't take all;
    The best bosses don't throw their weight around."
    If you believe that, this game is NOT for you!
    Expand
  6. Jan 17, 2022
    6
    awesome game with so much options to play as you like ,most detailed cities , the arrow shots are really spectacular and the fire is finally realistic
  7. Jun 1, 2021
    0
    Greedy CA. Abandons game after 2 years. Don't buy this game. They've ended all support.

See all 113 User Reviews

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