A brand new trailer from Creative Assembly highlights the next installment of the Total War series, Total War: Three Kingdoms.
The first Total War game to take inspiration from a romanticised version of history, Total War: Three Kingdoms is inspired by the Luo Guanzhong's 14th century historical epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The epic follows a period of war in Chinese history, known as the Three Kingdoms period from 169-280 C.E.
The first trailer, showcasing all in-game cinematics, focuses on one of the rulers of the three kingdoms, Cao Cao. "Bringing grand speeches, breath-taking siege battles and legendary duels to Total War: Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao will no doubt be the leader of choice for players who enjoy a "divide and conquer" approach." states a press release.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMJ3veZdkp8&feature=youtu.be
Creative Assembly will be taking a page out of Koei's Dynasty Warriors series, which is also based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms story. In a blog interview on their website, game director Janos Gaspar notes that characters such as Cao Cao will be able to stand tall against hundreds of soldiers on the battlefield, fighting like the heroes from Guanzhong's epic. Gaspar notes that a classic mode will also be available in the game. Classic mode is similar to other Total War games where your general is surrounded by a unit of bodyguards instead of standing on their own.
The two gameplay modes have different focuses, with the default mode centering on the generals and their more "flamboyant Wushu martial arts or strategic prowess." according to Gaspar. Classic mode will be a more straightforward strategic game utilizing historical troop maneuvers to gain the upper hand.
"We’re working with numerous consultants to ensure both historical and cultural authenticity, one of whom is renowned historian Rafe De Crespigny." states Gaspar. "He’s helping us ensure all the historical aspects of the game are as authentic as we can make them. He’s the author of many of the go-to academic texts that outline the events of the Three Kingdoms period and was our first choice as a historical consultant. We’re delighted with the amount of accuracy and insight he’s brought to the project. His expertise has provided us with as authentic a view of the events of this period as possible."
Total War: Three Kingdoms was previously scheduled for a release this fall, but has been officially pushed back to Spring 2019, according to the trailer. The game will be available on the PC through Steam, but no other platforms have been announced at this time.
What are your thoughts on Total War: Three Kingdoms? Leave your comments below and be sure to check out the rest of our E3 2018 coverage here.
