is a

strategy game A strategy game or strategic game is a game in which the players' uncoerced, and often autonomous, decision-making skills have a high significance in determining the outcome. Almost all strategy games require internal decision tree-style think ...

developed and published by

Koei Koei Co., Ltd. was a Japanese video game publisher, developer, and distributor founded in 1978. The company is known for its historical simulation games based on the novel ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'', as well as simulation games based o ...

that is loosely based on the

Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu dominated China from AD 220 to 280 following the end of the Han dynasty. This period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and followed by the Jin dynasty (266–420), Western Jin dyna ...

period of

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

. It is the sequel to '' Kessen'' in name only; both ''Kessen'' and the later sequel '' Kessen III'' are based on events in

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

and

. The gameplay involves playing out major battles as the storyline progresses, with cutscenes between each battle for the development of the events and major characters. Before battle, players are given a choice of strategies to take, although they can manually control all units in the battlefield. All units are controlled by the AI unless the player directly intervenes, and battles between forces are carried out in real-time. While in control of a unit, players are able to use special skills or magic spells to turn the tables, although enemy characters are also able to do so.''Kessen II'', PlayStation 2 & PlayStation 3 (via

PlayStation Network PlayStation Network (PSN) is a digital media entertainment service provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Launched in November 2006, PSN was originally conceived for the PlayStation video game consoles, but soon extended to encompass smartp ...

), Koei, 2001''Kessen II Manual'', KOEI Co. Ltd., 2001, pp.2-34 Unlike

's other games based on the 14th century novel ''

Romance of the Three Kingdoms ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' () is a 14th-century historical novel attributed to Luo Guanzhong. It is set in the turbulent years towards the end of the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, starting in 184 AD and ...

'' (''

Dynasty Warriors is a series of Japanese hack and slash action video games created by Omega Force and Koei (now Koei Tecmo). The series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy '' Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' series, based upon the Chinese novel of ...

'' and the ''

'' game), the plot of ''Kessen II'' is a heavily fantasized version of the novel. The last of the

Han dynasty The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...

family,

Liu Bei Liu Bei (, ; ; 161 – 10 June 223), courtesy name Xuande (), was a China, Chinese warlord in the late Han dynasty#Eastern Han, Eastern Han dynasty who later became the founding Emperor of China, emperor of Shu Han, one of the Three Kingdoms of ...

, begins a rebellion against the kingdom of Wei led by

Cao Cao Cao Cao (; ; ; 15 March 220), courtesy name Mengde, was a Chinese statesman, warlord, and poet who rose to power during the end of the Han dynasty (), ultimately taking effective control of the Han central government. He laid the foundation f ...

, with much of the game's events being based on the novel with alterations due to the different storylines. A significant change to the story involves a romance between Liu Bei and the character Diao Chan, being a significant factor behind Liu Bei's decision to go to war, and

Himiko , also known as the , was a shamaness-queen of Yamatai-koku in . Early Chinese dynastic histories chronicle tributary relations between Queen Himiko and the Cao Wei Kingdom (220–265) and record that the Yayoi period people chose her as ruler ...

, a semi-fictional sorceress (the historical Himiko ruled Wa ncient Japan. In addition to the fantasized theme, ''Kessen II'' departs from its realistic predecessor. Koei introduces elements of magic, especially with the portrayal of notable

strategist A strategist is a person with responsibility for the formulation and implementation of a strategy. Strategy generally involves setting goals, determining actions to achieve the goals, and mobilizing resources to execute the actions. A strategy ...

s such as

Zhuge Liang Zhuge Liang () (181September or October 234), also commonly known by his courtesy name Kongming, was a Chinese statesman, strategist, and inventor who lived through the End of the Han dynasty, end of the Eastern Han dynasty ( 184–220) and t ...

and

Sima Yi Sima Yi (; ; 179 CE7 September 251 CE), courtesy name Zhongda, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He formally began his political career in 208 under th ...

sorcerer Sorcerer may refer to: Magic * Sorcerer (supernatural), a practitioner of magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources * Sorcerer (fantasy), a fictional character who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sou ...

s. In battle, these characters are able to cause

earthquake An earthquakealso called a quake, tremor, or tembloris the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, from those so weak they ...

s, summon

lightning Lightning is a natural phenomenon consisting of electrostatic discharges occurring through the atmosphere between two electrically charged regions. One or both regions are within the atmosphere, with the second region sometimes occurring on ...

storms and hurl fireballs.

Characters

The majority of characters are loosely based on characters found in the Chinese epic

Liu Bei's Forces (Shu)

- leader of the Shu forces and Lord of Xu, Liu is a lover of Diao Chan and unwilling ruler. * Mei Sanniang - long-time female friend of Liu Bei, she is described as reckless and a beautiful. Her character was created for the game and is a heavily fictionalized combination and interpretation of Lady Mi and

Hu Sanniang Hu Sanniang (literally "Third Sister Hu") is a fictional character in ''Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Zhàng, Ten Feet of Blue", she ranks 59th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 23rd am ...

. *

Guan Yu Guan Yu (; ), courtesy name Yunchang, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Along with Zhang Fei, he shared a brotherly relationship with Liu Bei and accompanied him on ...

- sworn brother of Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, he wields the Black Dragon and is Liu Bei's greatest warrior. *

Zhang Fei Zhang Fei () (; died July or August 221 AD), courtesy name Yide (益德), was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Han dynasty#Eastern Han, Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period ...

sworn brother Blood brother can refer to two or more people not related by birth who have sworn loyalty to each other. This is in modern times usually done in a ceremony, known as a blood oath, where each person makes a small cut, usually on a finger, han ...

of Liu Bei and Guan Yu, he is a former bandit who is hot-tempered and overfond of drinking. *

- initially "unaligned" in the conflict he later becomes Liu Bei's main advisor and warlord. He is one of the most powerful magicians in the game. *

Zhao Yun Zhao Yun ( ) (died 229), courtesy name Zilong (), was a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. Originally a subordinate of the northern warlord Gongsun Zan, Zhao Yun later came ...

- head of the Han Imperial Bodyguard, Zhao joins Liu Bei with the hope of restoring the Han Empire. * Diao Chan - lover of Liu Bei, she is kidnapped at the start of the game by Cao Cao because she alone knows where the

Mandate of Heaven The Mandate of Heaven ( zh, t=天命, p=Tiānmìng, w=, l=Heaven's command) is a Chinese ideology#Political ideologies, political ideology that was used in History of China#Ancient China, Ancient China and Chinese Empire, Imperial China to legit ...

exists. * Mei Mei, Li Li, and Luo Luo - daughters of the Zhang Fei. Mei Mei is killed off-screen at the beginning of the game by Cao Cao's forces. They are loosely based on Zhang's historical daughters Empress Jing'ai & Empress Zhang. * Guan Ping - adopted son of Guan Yu. * Zhou Cang - general of Liu Bei who helps turn the tide against Cao Cao. *

Pang Tong Pang Tong () (179–214), courtesy name Shiyuan, was a Chinese politician who served as a key adviser to the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. In his youth, Pang Tong was disregarded because he was plain-looking. The herm ...

- sworn brother of Zhuge Liang and a powerful magician. *

Huang Zhong Huang Zhong (, ) (died 220), courtesy name Hansheng, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Mount Dingjun in 219, in which ...

- master of the bow and former officer of

Liu Biao Liu Biao () () ( 151 – September 208), courtesy name Jingsheng, was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is best known for serving as the governor of Jing Province (coveri ...

Cai Mao Cai Mao () (190-208), courtesy name Degui, was a military officer serving under the warlords Liu Biao and Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Life Cai Mao came from the elite Cai family in Xiangyang, Nan Commandery (), the cap ...

- former officer of Cao Cao who gets tricked into joining Liu Bei. *

Ma Su Ma Su (190–228), courtesy name Youchang, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. Ma Su had conspicuous talent in military theories and was admired by the Shu chancellor Zhuge ...

- a timid magician who Zhuge Liang recruits after the Battle of Chi Bi. * Sun Li - sister of Sun Quan, she falls in love with Liu Bei and abandons her brother. Sun Li is based on the historical Lady Sun. *

Wei Yan Wei Yan () (died October 234), courtesy name Wenchang, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Originally a subordinate of the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han ...

- native of Jing who joins Liu Bei after the Battle of Fan Zheng. *

Jiang Wei Jiang Wei (202 – 3 March 264), courtesy name Boyue, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in Ji County (present-day Gangu County, Gansu), Jiang Wei started his ...

- general who joins Liu Bei at the Battle of Tian Shui. * Xu Shu - magician serving under Cao Cao who defects to Liu Bei. * Huang Yue-Ying - eccentric wife of Zhuge Liang, she invents weapons and new equipment for Liu Bei.

Cao Cao's Forces (Wei)

- leader of the Wei forces and a former officer for the Han Empire who has set out to conquer the world. *

- powerful sorcerer from a foreign land who serves Cao Cao. He is jealous of Diao Chan. *

Xun Yu Xun Yu (163–212), courtesy name Wenruo, was a Chinese military official and politician who served as an adviser to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Early life Xun Yu was from Yingchuan Commandery (around ...

- a female version of the historical Xun Yu, she is Cao Cao's main warlord, advisor, and a powerful magician. * Hu Zhi - one of Cao Cao's strongest generals, she is good friends with Himiko. Hu Zhi is a female version of Xu Chu. *

- a wandering hermit who joins with Cao Cao later in the game to become his advisor and warlord. He is one of the most powerful magicians in the game. *

Xiahou Yuan Xiahou Yuan () (died February 219), courtesy name Miaocai, was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is known for his exploits in western China (in parts of prese ...

- Cao Cao's most powerful general and warrior. He is killed by Zhang Fei in a duel in the early parts of the game. * Cheng Yu - warlord of Cao Cao who is constantly playing the role of " scheming villain" and a powerful magician. *

Cao Ren Cao Ren () (168 – 6 May 223), courtesy name Zixiao, was a military general serving during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China under the warlord Cao Cao, who was also his older second cousin. He continued serving in the state of Cao Wei � ...

- general and relative of Cao Cao. *

Zhang Liao Zhang Liao () (169 – late 222), courtesy name Wenyuan, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He served briefly in the state of Cao Wei, founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao P ...

- general of Cao Cao, he has a rivalry with Guan Yu since they used to be close friends, but fell out after a duel over a woman. *

Yu Jin Yu Jin (died September 221), courtesy name Wenze, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He joined Cao Cao in 192 around the start of the civil wars leading to the collapse o ...

- general of Cao Cao who is overly flamboyant and portrayed as a joke. He is attracted to Cao Cao for his "manliness" and portrayed as a

queer ''Queer'' is an umbrella term for people who are non-heterosexual or non- cisgender. Originally meaning or , ''queer'' came to be used pejoratively against LGBTQ people in the late 19th century. From the late 1980s, queer activists began to ...

character. * Guo Jia - hermit who joins Cao Cao on the suggestion of Xun Yu. * Cao Hong - officer and relative of Cao Cao with little to no character. *

Xiahou Ba Xiahou Ba (died 255–259), courtesy name Zhongquan, was a Chinese military general of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the second son of Xiahou Yuan, a prominent general who served under Cao Cao, the warlord w ...

- eldest son (historically the second son) of Xiahou Yuan, he tries to live up to his father. * Cao Bu - uncle of Cao Cao who tries to get Cao Cao to return to a way of peace. Cao Bu is a fictional character loosely based on the historical

Cao Song Cao Song (died 193), courtesy name Jugao, was an official who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China. He was the foster son of the eunuch Cao Teng and the father of the warlord Cao Cao, who rose to prominence in the final years of Easte ...

, father of Cao Cao. * Dong Xuanfeng & Xi Xuanfeng - two female warriors and assassins who work for Cao Cao's general Yu Jin. They are original characters created for the game. * Yue Jin - officer of Cao Cao, both he and Li Dian are portrayed as insecure. * Li Dian - officer of Cao Cao, both he and Yue Jin are portrayed as insecure. * Xu Huang - former officer of the Han Empire who is recruited to Cao Cao's cause. *

Zhang He Zhang He () (died July or August 231), courtesy name Junyi, was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He continued serving in the state of Cao Wei under its first two rulers, Cao Pi and ...

- a strange masked officer serving Cao Cao. *

Xiahou Dun Xiahou Dun () (died 13 June 220), courtesy name Yuanrang, was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.''Sanguozhi'' vol.9. He served for a few months under Cao Cao ...

- one-eyed warrior who is the brother to Xiahou Yuan. * Guo Shao - officer who joins Cao Cao at the Battle of Tian Shui, he is based on the historical general Hao Zhao.

Sun Quan's Forces (Wu)

Sun Quan Sun Quan (; 182 – 21 May 252), courtesy name Zhongmou (), posthumous name, posthumously known as Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu, one of the Three Kingdoms of China. He inherited control of the warlord regime established by hi ...

- ruler of Wu, his main focus is defending his territory. *

Zhou Yu Zhou Yu (, ) (175–210), courtesy name Gongjin (), was a Chinese military general and strategist serving under the warlord Sun Ce in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. After Sun Ce died in the year 200, he continued serving under Sun Qua ...

- the main warlord of Wu and advisor to Sun Quan. * Gan Ning - Wu's most powerful general and a former pirate. * Lu Meng - magician serving Sun Quan. * Lu Su - magician serving Sun Quan. *

Lu Xun Lu Xun ( zh, c=魯迅, p=Lǔ Xùn, ; 25 September 188119 October 1936), pen name of Zhou Shuren, born Zhou Zhangshou, was a Chinese writer. A leading figure of modern Chinese literature, he wrote in both vernacular and literary Chinese as a no ...

- magician serving Sun Quan. *

Taishi Ci Taishi Ci () (166–206), courtesy name Ziyi, was a Chinese military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He had served as a minor Han official, before eventually coming to serve warlords Liu Yao, Sun Ce, and Sun Ce' ...

- officer serving Sun Quan.

Other

Forces of Xi

* Cai Wengi - ruler of the Northern Xi, Wengi is a powerful general and magician. She can join either Cao Cao or Liu Bei depending on who defeats her. She is a highly fictionalized version of the historical poet and writer

Cai Yan Cai Yan ( 178 – post 206; or 170–215; or died 249), courtesy name Wenji, was a Chinese composer, poet, and writer who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. She was a daughter of Cai Yong. Her courtesy name was originally ...

. *

Deng Ai Deng Ai (197 – late March 264Vol.04 of ''Sanguozhi'' and vol.02 of ''Jin Shu'' both indicated that Deng Ai was arrested in the 1st month of the 1st year of the ''Xianxi'' era. The month corresponds to 15 Feb to 14 Mar 264 in the Julian calendar ...

- officer under Cai Wengi and Ma Chao, he defects to Cao Cao. *

Ma Chao Ma Chao () (176–222), courtesy name Mengqi, was a Chinese military general and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. A descendant of the general Ma Yuan, Ma Chao was the eldest son of M ...

- ruler of Western Xi, joins Liu Bei after a failed attack on Cao Cao. *

Ma Dai Ma Dai () ( 222–235) was a Chinese military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He previously served under his uncle Ma Teng, a warlord in northwestern China, during the late Eastern Han dynasty. After Ma ...

- officer under Cai Wengi and Ma Chao, defects to Liu Bei. *

Pang De Pang De () (died 219), courtesy name Lingming, was a Chinese military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He started his career under the warlord Ma Teng, who was based in Liang Province. In 211, Ma Teng's son Ma Chao, along w ...

- officer under Ma Chao, joins Cao Cao after the Battle of Tong Gate.

Forces of Liu Zhang

* Liu Zhang - ruler of the Yi Province, he is an old warrior and friend of Cao Bu. *

Fa Zheng Fa Zheng (176–220), courtesy name Xiaozhi, was a key adviser to the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty. Born in a family of high social status and of noble descent, Fa Zheng travelled to Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan ...

- advisor to Liu Zhang who joins Liu Bei after Liu Zhang is defeated. He is a powerful magician. * Yan Yan - general of Liu Zhang who is tricked into joining Liu Bei by Zhao Yun. * Wu Yi - officer of Liu Zhang. *

Zhang Ren Zhang Ren () (died 213) was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Liu Zhang during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Life Zhang Ren was from Shu Commandery (蜀郡), Yi Province, which is around present-day Chengdu, Sichuan ...

- officer of Liu Zhang.

Forces of Meng Huo

* Meng Huo - king of southern Yi, Meng is dominated by his wife Zhu Rong. * Zhu Rong - Queen of southern Yi. Advisor and the true ruler, she joins Liu Bei after she and Meng Huo is defeated. * King Mulu - general under Meng Huo and a magician. *

Wu Tugu Wu may refer to: Places * Wu (region) (), a region roughly corresponding to the territory of Wuyue ** Wu Chinese (), a subgroup of Chinese languages now spoken in the Wu region ** Wuyue culture (), a regional Chinese culture in the Wu region *Wu ...

- general under Meng Huo. * King Duosi - general under Meng Huo and a magician.

Miscellaneous

- mentioned but not seen, he is later conquered by Cao Cao off-screen. *

Yuan Shao Yuan Shao (, ; died 28 June 202), courtesy name Benchu (), was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil wars that occurred tow ...

- mentioned but not seen, he is later conquered by Cao Cao off-screen.

Battles

The game portrays the following historical battles and conflicts in a highly condensed and fictionalized version: * Cao Cao's invasion of Xu Province - named the Battle of Xu * Battle of Bowang - named the Battle of Bo Wan Po *

Battle of Changban The Battle of Changban was fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Liu Bei in October 208 in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. The battle took place at Changban (長坂; south of present-day Duodao District, Jingmen, Hubei). Background ...

- named the Battle of Chang Ban Po *

Battle of Red Cliffs The Battle of Red Cliffs, also known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive naval battle in China that took place during the winter of AD 208–209. It was fought on the Yangtze River between the forces of warlords controlling different parts ...

- named Showdown at Chi Bi *

Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province was a military campaign by the warlord Liu Bei in taking control of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) from the provincial governor, Liu Zhang. The campaign took place between the years ...

- named the Siege of Cheng Du * Battle of Mt. Dingjun - named Mt. Dinjun * Southern Campaign *

Battle of Fancheng The Battle of Fancheng or the Battle of Fan Castle was fought between the warlords Liu Bei and Cao Cao in 219 in the late Eastern Han dynasty. It is named after Fancheng in present-day Xiangyang, Hubei, a fortress that played a significant rol ...

- named Battle of Fan Zheng * Battle of Tong Pass - named Battle of Tong Gate * Tianshui revolts - named Battle of Tian Shui * Siege of Chencang - named Defense of Chen Cang * Lü Meng's Invasion of Jing Province - named Battle of Wu Chang (Liu Bei) * Cao Pi's invasion of Eastern Wu - named Battle of Wu Chang (Cao Cao) * Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions - named Wei-Shu Conflict

Release

THQ handled distribution of the game in Europe as part of a four-game deal with Koei.https://www.eurogamer.net/article-45492

Reception

The game received "average" reviews, according to video game review score aggregator

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

. In Japan, ''

Famitsu , formerly , is a line of Japanese Video game journalism, video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation, Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly f ...

'' gave it a score of 35 out of 40.

References

External links

* * {{Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2001 video games Koei games PlayStation 2 games PlayStation Network games Real-time tactics video games Single-player video games THQ games Video games based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms Video games developed in Japan