Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Koei
  • Release Date: Aug 13, 2003
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
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  1. AdamG.
    Jul 31, 2003
    8
    Fun and easy to learn.
  2. TommiK.
    Jul 6, 2005
    10
    Just awesome!
  3. RamonG.
    Oct 25, 2003
    10
    Perfection.
  4. 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.
  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. It is a Must-Buy title and deserves every penny. Just make sure you dont have a exam or something coming up.
  6. C.G.
    Sep 14, 2003
    8
    If you have half a brain, and many hours of time to blow, this is an awseome game. This is NOT a fighter, it's a strategy. Long, complicated, fulfilling.
  7. Xiang-Chuan(Sean)H.
    Sep 30, 2003
    7
    This Game has Some Accurate History of China,though it is a expensive game.
  8. BillW.
    Oct 17, 2003
    10
    Cool thats all i got to say.
  9. Ryan
    Dec 18, 2003
    10
    This game is very koo. much thinking is needed to play game...loz fun.
  10. 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 ill stick to my deus ex.
  11. KirkK.
    Nov 15, 2003
    9
    This is one of the most fun strategy games I've ever played. Very addictive also.
  12. NateW.
    Nov 29, 2003
    10
    If you're tired of mindless button mashing and want a thinking mans game this is the ultimate one. All you need is an average IQ like me and an urge for pure stragety. The graphics are laughable but thats not importont at all. During the game theres a feeling of a greater struggle taking plays withen the virtual world. So if you feel like something different get this right know. If If you're tired of mindless button mashing and want a thinking mans game this is the ultimate one. All you need is an average IQ like me and an urge for pure stragety. The graphics are laughable but thats not importont at all. During the game theres a feeling of a greater struggle taking plays withen the virtual world. So if you feel like something different get this right know. If been litarally playing for twelve hours strait without even noticing it. … Expand
  13. ThomasT.
    Dec 23, 2003
    10
    Love it!!!!!
  14. 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. I very much appreciated this game.
  15. 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 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 youA 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

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PS2 Game of 2003
95
#95 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
30
#30 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    60
    Like the previous games, it'll satisfy fans of the franchise while being nigh-impenetrable to others. [Oct 2003, p.126]
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. GamingWorld X
    88
    The series is definitely in peak form here, with near endless amounts of options and gameplay tweaks that add to an already addictive and playable formula.
    Read full review
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