On a whim, Liu Bei summons a foreign priestess, Himiko, to scry their future. The two chat and make merry, learning of Cao Cao’s formidable ambition, and Liu Bei’s happy indulgence in the company of his lover: the dancer, Daio Chan. Indebted to his newfound friend, Liu Bei holds a banquet in celebration of Cao Cao’s arrival. Together you defeat the bandits and drive them from a slightly smoldering Xu Castle. You are eventually saved by the army of Cao Cao (Got Milk?), who miraculously comes to your aid. Initially, the player assumes the role Liu Bei, the lord of Xu province, fighting a losing battle as your capital is overrun by invaders. The story begins, quite appropriately, on the battlefield. Those unfamiliar with the plethora of RotTK games released over the years will not be at a loss as Kessen II uses only the setting and themes of these classics. Unlike its pre-Tokugawa predecessor, Kessen II’s storyline has been scripted into KOEI’s flagship Romance of the Three Kingdoms series.
Have these promises to the gaming public been fulfilled, and does Kessen II prove to be a worthwhile investment for your gaming dollars? Let’s take a more thorough look at KOEI’s latest wunderkind. The original Kessen was criticized for being little more than an interactive drama, but KOEI promised a much more satisfying gaming experience with Kessen II.
Kessen II thrusts the player into a dynamic and cinematic experience that claims to surpass the original in every capacity. Released in Japan last year to numerous accolades and significant financial success, Kessen II has finally been localized for North America and released with little fanfare. Kessen II places the player into the role of one of two would-be rivals embroiled in a bitter war in mythical China. How much can a man endure for the love of a single woman? How much brutality can a one inflict upon his enemies, his allies, and himself before he loses his soul? How far will heaven bend its favor for the will of the people and their champion? Can true love endure a conflict that would tear a kingdom in twain? These questions and more are asked in KOEI’s long-awaited sequel to one of the PlayStation 2’s most impressive launch titles.
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