When it launches in just over a fortnight, Romance Of The Three Kingdoms XIII will be somewhat of a rarity among the lineup of games planned for release this summer. Aside from being a rather obscure Japanese import, it hails from a genre that has only ever ventured onto console a handful of times.
Whether picking up a copy on PlayStation 4 or PC, Koei Tecmo’s upcoming sequel is bound to please strategy fans with its iconic setting and complex mosaic of systems. It’s been a while since the series touched down on foreign shores though, in its absence, ROTK has continued to expand, its thirteenth main instalment going deeper than ever before.
Today, Koei revealed two new systems that will feature in-game. Firstly we have “Civic Development”, allowing players to develop farming, culture, and commerce within their held territories. With more options available, wise rulers can optimise their settlements to aid political and military operations elsewhere. Strategists and ministers can even engage in live debates to see who wins in a true battle of intellect and diplomacy.
With an even larger focus on narrative, Koei has spotlighted XIII’s “Bond” system. For those who’ve played the publisher’s Dynasty Warriors franchise, there’s definitely some overlap. By progressing through campaigns and interacting with more than 700 unique NPCs, players can create alliances, some of which trigger story-related events.
With Nobunaga’s Ambition having been one of the sleeper hits of 2015, we’re looking forward to getting our hands on the latest ROTK when it launches on July 8th.
