Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Koei
  • Release Date: Aug 13, 2003
Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

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  • Summary: Brave souls, come forth! Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII takes the series to new heights. Choose from over 700 commanders, 100 of which you create. Forge relationships such as "Marriage" and "Sworn Brother." Wander, claim territory, enlist, revolt, or unify China and create your ownBrave souls, come forth! Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII takes the series to new heights. Choose from over 700 commanders, 100 of which you create. Forge relationships such as "Marriage" and "Sworn Brother." Wander, claim territory, enlist, revolt, or unify China and create your own history! [KOEI]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Yahoo!
    90
    Remember this is a die-hard, slow-paced, no-nonsense strategy title, and chances are you'd be better served with one of Koei's Dynasty games if you're not prepared to invest plenty of thought and patience into building an empire.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    90
    Steep and deep. That means it's got a steep learning curve but the depth it reveals will be worth the effort.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. IGN
    90
    Better than any previous title in the Romance series, easily eclipsing the "Dynasty Tactics" and "Kessen" franchises, and trampling all over the "SimCity" and "Civilization" ports, KOEI's excellent simulation of Ancient Chinese diplomacy and warfare is worthy of every compliment we can shower upon it.
  4. PSM Magazine
    80
    Three Kingdoms fans will go nuts over all of the improvements. [Oct 2003, p.40]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. GameSpot
    72
    Won't win any new converts to the strategy genre, but it's a good game that ought to please devotees of the series.
  6. GamePro
    70
    For Romance followers, this addition to the series is the best yet. An unlimited number of accounting practices combined with more depth to the lives that you control can be an overwhelming if not humbling experience for wannabe rulers of the land. Just make sure you’re up for a long lesson in advanced bookkeeping.
  7. GMR Magazine
    60
    So detail oriented and text heavy that it appeals to only the most diehard and, perhaps, anal-retentive. [Nov 2003, p.77]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. TommiK.
    Jul 6, 2005
    10
    Just awesome!
  2. JohnC.
    Feb 24, 2004
    10
    A very good Game not only does it have the Raising of the army but the Economy of a city as well.
  4. BillW.
    Oct 17, 2003
    10
    Cool thats all i got to say.
  5. LordDrake
    Mar 17, 2004
    10
    This game will have you hooked for many, many, many nights as you plot and battle your way through anchient chinese politics to unite china. This game will have you hooked for many, many, many nights as you plot and battle your way through anchient chinese politics to unite china. It is a Must-Buy title and deserves every penny. Just make sure you dont have a exam or something coming up.… Expand
  6. PreWarp
    Apr 26, 2013
    9
    This game opened my eyes not just to this genre of gaming but to history itself. Opened a whole new world of imagination at a very young age.This game opened my eyes not just to this genre of gaming but to history itself. Opened a whole new world of imagination at a very young age. I very much appreciated this game.… Expand
  7. Truth_
    Feb 19, 2014
    9
    A fantastic strategy game with solid RPG elements as well as a perfect period piece. RotTK8 has good stylized graphics, a great and memorableA fantastic strategy game with solid RPG elements as well as a perfect period piece. RotTK8 has good stylized graphics, a great and memorable music score, and deep strategy elements on many levels (character, city, empire). Although the others in this series are good as well, the scope of VIII is greater than all others as you work your way up as a lowly rank 9 officer to anything you desire - warlord, viceroy, or emperor. Character-building, social relationships, city-building, economy, diplomacy, intrigue, tactical warfare.... There is nothing like it.

    In all areas the game could be more complex and more deep, however, it is in a snug place. Also, grinding your way up through the ranks or ordering around your minions can become tedious. And although there are random events to keep things interesting, other events or options or systems could be in place to tide the tedium or boredom, although with that also comes more micromanagement, the love and bane of different groups of gamers everywhere.

    The major fault in the game is with a new player's ability to immerse themselves in the grand adventure that is RotTK8 should they have not played a previous installment or the much more accessible series Dynasty Warriors. Although there is some story-telling in the beginning of each map campaign and even an in-game encyclopedia for nearly everything, more could have been done in this regard if the developers had wanted the game to appeal to a wider audience of Three Kingdom's newbies.    … Expand
  8. M.S.
    Aug 29, 2003
    3
    Im sure this is a good game but way over my head, I thought this was a game to whack off an army but it is really a thinking mans game, guess Im sure this is a good game but way over my head, I thought this was a game to whack off an army but it is really a thinking mans game, guess ill stick to my deus ex.… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PS2 Game of 2003
92
#92 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
30
#30 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003