Kessen III

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Koei
  • Release Date: Feb 22, 2005
Kessen III Image
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Kessen III marks the franchise's return to Japanese history and aesthetics. It is the middle of the turbulent Sengoku or "warring states" period. Endless chaos and plunder have consumed the islands of Japan. A young teenager, known for his extravagant appearance and unconventional attitudeKessen III marks the franchise's return to Japanese history and aesthetics. It is the middle of the turbulent Sengoku or "warring states" period. Endless chaos and plunder have consumed the islands of Japan. A young teenager, known for his extravagant appearance and unconventional attitude emerges from Central Japan- he is Nobunaga Oda. While elders admonished him, his contemporaries admired him. Blessed with an indomitable vision and fearless constitution, the soon-to-be legendary Nobunaga will stand against legions of warriors in order to resurrect a land filled with chaos and sorrow. KESSEN III now features non-linear stage selection, an officer and troop development system, and a process that allows players to equip officers with over 450 weapons, helmets, and samurai armor. The game's deep and compelling narrative will unfold throughout 120 combined minutes of movie sequences, accompanied by a stirring musical score from legendary composer Reijiro Koroku. [KOEI]… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
Kessen III Gameplay Movie 7

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. My Gamer
    86
    The battles require some thought and are a blast to execute, but can often still be completed in ten minutes or so—depending on the battle.
  2. Games Radar
    82
    There's so much potential for strategy here that it's almost overwhelming. [PSM2]
  3. PSM Magazine
    80
    Is this thing as addictive as crack-laced Jelly Bellies, or what? The difficulty ramps up almost perfectly, delivering contstant new challenges. [Apr 2005, p.74]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Gaming Target
    75
    With decent gameplay and a retail price of about 19.99, Kessen III is a bargain for people who are looking for a way to spend several hours per day on an engaging historical melodrama.
  5. games(TM)
    70
    Kessen III manages to prove that strategy and fun aren’t mutually exclusive in the war sim genre. The series still needs to find the right balance between depth and instant fun, but this is proof that Koei is getting closer to the elusive formula with each sequel. [May 2005, p.106]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The Sydney Morning Herald
    70
    Major change comes on the battlefield. With the introduction of game mechanics from Dynasty Warriors, players can now directly control troop manoeuvres.
  7. Gaming Age
    58
    The heart of Kessen 3 lies in repetition; in mission layouts, in the simple combo execution, and in the cutscenes and music.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Liut7gU.
    Jan 3, 2005
    10
    It's the best game i have played yet.
  2. BrentE.
    Apr 7, 2005
    10
    This game is like crack.
  4. Flamers1500
    Nov 18, 2005
    10
    A brilliant game the best in its class.
  5. Zegram
    Jun 20, 2014
    9
    Kessen III is a must buy for every RTS fan.

    Pros: Interesting story set in Feudal Japan based on historical facts with a couple of twists.    Kessen III is a must buy for every RTS fan.

    Pros:
    Interesting story set in Feudal Japan based on historical facts with a couple of twists.
    Wide variety of entertaining and memorable characters.
    Fun and solid gameplay. Combat is engaging and the difficulty ramps up perfectly as you progress.
    Lots of character customization.
    New game + that's actually worth playing.
    Solid graphics.
    Great soundtrack and voice acting.
    Provides actual historical information about pretty much everyone you see on screen.

    Cons:
    Combat might get repetitive after awhile. This due to the more action oriented approach in comparison to the previous, more tactical Kessen games.
    Optional recruitable officers tend to look similar to each other.    … Expand
  6. MrDavidBen
    Sep 13, 2014
    8
    Koei have a tendancy to bring out some rather impressive games and Kessen III is one of them, I thoroughly enjoyed playing the game and haveKoei have a tendancy to bring out some rather impressive games and Kessen III is one of them, I thoroughly enjoyed playing the game and have done a number of times trying out different generals and combinations as well as replaying to find the generals who you need to go out of your way to find and recruit to your cause.

    The game has an actiony-rts kind of feel to it forsaking the usual aerial view and mouse controls for more action orientated commands made for a controller. With the ability to control your units and attach support units such as stone-throwers and archers to co-ordinate attacks with.

    It lacks the military strategy depth of games like Total War but in that it makes the game very accessible.

    The plot is an interesting adaptation of the tale of Nobunaga Oda, refreshingly painting him as a heroic character as opposed to the Demon King most fan are used to. The story follows his rise in an attempt to unify Japan along with his good friends and generals. The game includes notable battles for the Sengoku Era which you must overcome to advance in the story.

    A wealth of interesting characters both allied and enemies make scenes and encounters varied, the gameplay at times can feel a bit repetitive but the experience and variety of landscapes and findable items/treasures can make up for that.

    A very good game from Koei and in my opinion it is probably the best entry in the Kessen series for the experience and atmosphere alone.    … Expand
  7. MitchellD.
    Mar 5, 2005
    8
    It's not what I expected, but it's good in a different way.
  8. Wahyu
    Mar 12, 2005
    7
    This is good for dynasty/samurai warriors fan.

See all 10 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

85
#85 Best PS2 Game of 2005
53
#53 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005