Kessen III

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

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
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  1. GameSpot
    74
    Delivers a good balance of tactical decision making and up-close action that will be most appealing to existing fans of Koei's other beat-'em-up works, but it's simple recipe for mass warfare can create an armchair general out of anyone.
  2. DarkStation
    70
    Strategy buffs out there will not find much to Kessen III as the strategy in the game is quite limited.
  3. 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]
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  5. Edge Magazine
    70
    Fortunately, the backbone of strategy means that behind every chaotic disaster lies the digestible conclusion that, with better planning, it could have been avoided. [May 2005, p.87]
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  6. Pelaaja (Finland)
    70
    Kessen III contains more action than the previous two games in the series combined. Unfortunately, this mostly means constantly having to mash the square-button without much thought put into action. Strategic and tactical elements are still there, but they suffer too much from the more action-oriented game play. [June 2005, p.58]
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  7. 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.
  8. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    67
    Bravely straddles the border between action and strategy, but it needs to take a step deeper into both territories.
  9. netjak
    63
    Repetition, bad AI, and bad localization absolutely kill this game.
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  10. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    60
    The manual camera constantly begs for your attention, never where you want it to be. Probably great fun for "Dynasty Warriors" fans.
  11. G4 TV
    60
    This ain’t the console equivalent of "Rome: Total War." Action fans might furrow their brows over the slow pacing, and the camera is stubborn, requiring you to manually adjust it to see your surroundings while moving around the enemy.
  12. Game Revolution
    58
    Lots of options and simple control makes Kessen III about as accessible as war strategizing can get. Unfortunately, the action is pretty repetitive and the button mashing grows tedious, leading to only a two-star general.
  13. 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.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. VLG
    Aug 22, 2023
    9
    An extremely good game but, in my opinion, inferior to Kessen II. Less strategy and more action... which makes no sense. If i wanted moreAn extremely good game but, in my opinion, inferior to Kessen II. Less strategy and more action... which makes no sense. If i wanted more direct combat, i would be playing Dynasty Warriors.… Full Review »
  2. ReviewsAreBS
    Feb 16, 2023
    7
    Not nearly as good as the first two Kessen games. The biggest issue is the shift from RTS to generic Dynasty Warriors-clone. Things like RNG,Not nearly as good as the first two Kessen games. The biggest issue is the shift from RTS to generic Dynasty Warriors-clone. Things like RNG, combos and spells matter far more than strategy. The brain dead AI easy to cheese, which becomes essential by the end, as the difficulty ramps up considerably. But it makes the whole experience very tedious.… Full Review »
  3. AngryApplePie
    Oct 4, 2020
    9
    I dont even know why this game is so fun to me. If you watch any playthroughs it really doesnt seem like anything that special but for someI dont even know why this game is so fun to me. If you watch any playthroughs it really doesnt seem like anything that special but for some reason playing it is just so much fun.… Full Review »
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