History VideoGame / RomanceOfTheThreeKingdomsKoei

* FakeBalance: One of the most glaring criticisms of Koei's flagship strategy series is how terribly unbalanced the gameplay mechanics can be despite looking practical on paper. In almost every title, there's at least one strategy/character/skill that allows you to steamroll the computer opposition with minimal effort. Especially Cao Cao.

A series of strategy games by Koei. It's based on the novel ''Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms'', which is a fictionalized version of the [[UsefulNotes/ThreeKingdomsShuWeiWu actual era in Chinese history]] [[note]]However, the [[MarketBasedTitle Japanese and Chinese versions]] were sold under the name '''Sangokushi/ Sanguozhi''' (''Record of the Three Kingdoms''), which is the name of the historical record compiled by Chen Shou.[[/note]], and spawned the action game spinoff ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors''.

* '' XIV'': UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2020),

* UnwinnableByMistake: Some of the [=DLC=] Hero Mode stages of ''XIII'' have this. Also counts as GuideDangIt:
** As Zhuge Liang in the scenario depicting the preparation for Chi Bi, [[spoiler: not using cavalry to increase your troops' movement speed may leave you with too little time to conquer Changsha and Guiyang. Guiyang has an officer which can be instantly recruited if Zhao Fan (the ruler of the city) is defeated; recruiting this officer is crucial to the first objective of the scenario.]]
** As Guan Yu, [[spoiler: killing too many troops while besieging Xinye may leave you with too little to withstand the Wei-Wu counterattacks.]]

** If you play a vassal and unite China in the name of your lord, you may wind up being executed because the lord fears your great ability if you have a poor relationship with him. [[note]] Best start talking to build your relationship![[/note]]

A series of strategy games by Koei. It's based on the novel ''Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms'', which is a fictionalized version of the [[UsefulNotes/ThreeKingdomsShuWeiWu actual era in Chinese history]]. [[note]]However, the [[MarketBasedTitle Japanese and Chinese versions]] were sold under the name '''Sangokushi/ Sanguozhi''' (''Record of the Three Kingdoms''), which is the name of the historical record compiled by Chen Shou.[[/note]] It also spawned an action game spinoff, ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors''.

The series initially began with the player as a ruler controlling an entire force. Starting from ''VII'', some installments [[note]]''VII'', ''VIII'', ''X'', and ''XIII''[[/note]] allow the player to play as a character other than a ruler. These can range from a "free" officer with no allegiance, all the way to a viceroy managing several cities on behalf of the ruler.

The platforms which support the various installments are listed below: [[note]]Due to the various versions of Windows, emulation of older Windows versions may be required to run the games.[[/note]]

* VideoGameLongRunners: The first game came out for MS-DOS, NES and other systems in 1985, and has run on for over 14 games in 35 years. The latest in the series, ''XIV'', has been released in 2020.

* YouKilledMyFather: It's generally a bad idea to execute an officer who still had relative(s). The more relatives he had, the more bear grudges to you and attack you when you randomly met them.

* FatBastard: In ''XIII'', He Jin and Dong Zhuo. While Dong is at least competent, He is personally a useless character with mediocre stats.

** As Zhuge Liang in the scenario depicting the preparation for Chi Bi, [[spoiler: not using calvary to increase your troops' movement speed may leave you with too little time to conquer Changsha and Guiyang. Guiyang has an officer which can be instantly recruited if Zhao Fan (the ruler of the city) is defeated; recruiting this officer is crucial to the first objective of the scenario.]]

* BittersweetEnding: If the game ends while you're playing as low-ranked vassal, it is stated that you character retires, lives a humble common life, and doesn't get as many rewards/privileges (if any) as other high-ranked vassals get from your emperor.

* ''VII'': UsefulNotes/PlayStation, PlayStation 2, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2000), UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable (2006)

* ''IV: Wall of Fire'': [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]], [[UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis Sega 32X]], MS-DOS, UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn, PlayStation (1994), Game Boy Advance, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2001), UsefulNotes/NintendoDS (2007)
* ''V'': Sega Saturn, UsefulNotes/PlayStation, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (1995), PlayStation Portable (2005), UsefulNotes/NintendoDS (2010), 3DS (2013)
* ''VI: Awakening of the Dragon'': UsefulNotes/PlayStation, Dreamcast, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (1996), PlayStation Portable (2005)
* ''VII'': UsefulNotes/PlayStation, PlayStation 2, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2000), PlayStation Portable (2006)
* ''VIII'': UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2001), PlayStation 2 (2002), PlayStation Portable (2007)
* ''IX'': UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2003), PlayStation 2 (2004), PlayStation Portable (2011)
* ''X'': UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2004), PlayStation 2 (2005)
* ''XI'': PlayStation 2, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2006), Wii (2007)
* ''XII'': PlayStation 3, Wii U, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2012), PlayStation Vita (2013)
* '' XIII'': PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One (2015), UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2016), Nintendo Switch (2017)
* '' XIV'': PlayStation 4, UsefulNotes/MicrosoftWindows (2020),

* VideoGameLongRunners: The first game came out for MS-DOS, NES and other systems in 1985, and has run on for over 11 games in 21 years. The latest in the series, ''XIII'', has been released on 2016.
* VideoGameTutorial: In both ''XI'' and ''XIII''. XI's main game tutorials mainly have Liu Bei as the protagonist and has him learn the ropes of the game (along with the player, and with laughs thrown in). XI's Powerup Kit also added tutorials to explain the expanded mechanics. The early stages of Hero Mode are XIII's tutorials; once the player reaches the scenario as Cao Cao during Guandu, that and subsequent scenarios are advanced tutorials meant to hone in the player's ability to win battles and plot strategically to overcome time and resource constraints.

* ''I'': Amiga, MSX, NES(1985), Game Boy (1992), Windows (2003), mobile phones; different version: MSX2
* ''II'': Amiga, MS-DOS, MSX2, NES, SNES, Mega Drive (1989), Game Boy Color (1999), WonderSwan, Windows (2000), mobile phones
* ''III: Dragon of Destiny'': MS-DOS, SNES, Mega Drive (1992), Windows (2001), NDS (2006)
* ''IV: Wall of Fire'': SNES, Sega 32X, MS-DOS, Sega Saturn, PlayStation (1994), Game Boy Advance, Windows (2001),
* ''V'': Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Windows (1995), PlayStation Portable (2005), NDS (2010), 3DS (2013)
* ''VI: Awakening of the Dragon'': PlayStation, Dreamcast, Windows (1996), PlayStation Portable (2005)
* ''VII'': PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Windows (2000), PlayStation Portable (2006)
* ''VIII'': Windows (2001), PlayStation 2 (2002), PlayStation Portable (2007)
* ''IX'': Windows (2003), PlayStation 2 (2004), PlayStation Portable (2011)
* ''X'': Windows (2004), PlayStation 2 (2005)
* ''XI'': PlayStation 2, Windows (2006), Wii (2007)
* ''XII'': PlayStation 3, Wii U, Windows (2012), PlayStation Vita (2013)
* '' XIII'': PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One (2015), Windows (2016), Nintendo Switch (2017)

** In XIII, when a general execute his special ability near another general's unit who are bonded together, that ability will be improved.

* HistoricalInJoke: In ''XIII'', if you become a "free" officer, Sima Hui will appear to inform you of the victory conditions for your Prestige class. In the background, a voice actor will say "Good! Good!" This refers to the fact that Sima was recorded in history as never having a bad word for anyone or anything.

** Possible in XIII, where you can play individual officers. The youngest officer you can play (Cao Chang in "Three Visits") is 12.

* CharacterShilling: Played with in ''XIII''. While the game uses events from the novel as its base, some details in the original novel which shilled Shu characters like Liu Bei / Zhuge Liang or had characters do questionable/illogical stuff were removed. [[spoiler: E.g. Zhuge Liang was not shown using fire attacks at Bowang or Xinye; his first assignment (just like in history) was becoming Liu Bei's emissary to Sun Quan in order to forge the anti-Cao alliance. Liu Bei also did not drop Liu Shan after Zhao Yun's exploits at Changban. On Wu's side, Zhou Yu was depicted as regarding Zhuge Liang solely as a threat to Wu's plans, leaving out the personal jealousy which was rampant in the novel. Lu Su was depicted as a competent advisor, and not the bumbling fool from the novel; Zhuge Liang did not invite him on board the boat during the attempt to "borrow" the 10,000 arrows from Cao Cao, and the whole part where Zhuge provoked Zhou Yu using the two Qiaos was left out. During Chi Bi itself, there is also no mention of Kan Ze delivering Huang Gai's letter to Cao (which did not happen historically).]]

* IntrepidMerchant: ''XIII'' allows you to play as one, if you are a "free" character. By advancing in rank, a merchant can eventually invest in the various powers, becoming a power broker.

** As Lu Xun in the leadup to Yiling, [[spoiler: attacking Jiangxia early will result in an early Game Over.]]

* UnwinnableByMistake: Some of the [=DLC=] Hero Mode stages have this. Also counts as GuideDangIt:
** As Zhuge Liang in the scenario depicting the preparation for Chi Bi, [[spoiler: not using calvary to increase your troops' movement speed may leave you with too little time to conquer Changsha and Guiyang. Guiyang has an officer which can be instantly recruited if Zhao Fan (ruler of the city) is defeated; recruiting this officer is crucial to the first objective of the scenario.]]
** As Guan Yu, [[spoiler: killing too many troops while besieging Xinye may leave you with too little to withstand the Wei counterattack.]]
* WalkingTheEarth: One of the possible endings in ''X'' if China is unified ([[ArtificialBrilliance by computer-controlled Emperor]]) while your character is a free officer.

* YouKilledMyFather: It's generally bad idea to execute an officer who still had relative(s). The more relatives he had, the more bear grudges to you and attack you when you randomly met them.

* VideoGameTutorial: In both ''XI'' and ''XIII''. ''XI'''s main game tutorials mainly have Liu Bei as the protagonist and has him learn the ropes of the game (along with the player, and with laughs thrown in). XI's Powerup Kit also added tutorials to explain the expanded mechanics. The early stages of Hero Mode are ''XIII'''s tutorials; once the player reaches the scenario as Cao Cao during Guandu, that and subsequent scenarios are advanced tutorials meant to hone in the player's ability to win battles and plot strategically to overcome time and resource constraints.

* VideoGameTutorial: In both ''XI'' and ''XIII''. ''XI'''s main game tutorials mainly have Liu Bei as the protagonist and has him learn the ropes of the game (along with the player, and with laughs thrown in). ''XI'''s Powerup Kit also added tutorials to explain the expanded mechanics. ''XIII'''s tutorials are the early stages of Hero Mode; once the player reaches the scenario as Cao Cao during Guandu, that and subsequent scenarios are advanced tutorials meant to hone in the player's ability to win battles and plot strategically to overcome time and resource constraints.

* CharacterShilling: Played with in ''XIII''. While the game uses events from the novel as its base, some details in the original novel which shilled Shu characters like Liu Bei / Zhuge Liang or had characters do questionable/illogical stuff were removed. [[spoiler: E.g. Zhuge Liang was not shown using fire attacks at Bowang or Xinye; his first assignment (just like in history) was becoming Liu Bei's emissary to Sun Quan in order to forge the anti-Cao alliance. Liu Bei also did not drop Liu Shan after Zhao Yun's exploits at Changban. On Wu's side, Zhou Yu was depicted as solely regarding Zhuge Liang as a threat to Wu's plans, leaving out the personal jealousy which was rampant in the novel. Lu Su was depicted as a competent advisor, and not the bumbling fool from the novel; Zhuge Liang did not invite him on board the boat during the attempt to "borrow" the 10,000 arrows from Cao Cao, and the whole part where Zhuge provoked Zhou Yu using the two Qiaos was left out. During Chi Bi itself, there is also no mention of Kan Ze delivering Huang Gai's letter to Cao (which did not happen historically).]]