Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Romance of the Three Kingdoms by KOEI is a foundational title in the world of historical strategy games. First released in Japan in 1985 for the PC-88, it was one of the earliest attempts to adapt classical literature into complex simulation gameplay. Based on the 14th-century Chinese novel of the same name, the game places the player in the role of a warlord during the chaotic final years of the Han dynasty, with the goal of unifying China under their banner.

The core gameplay blends turn-based strategy with elements of political simulation. Players manage cities, form alliances, recruit and train officers, conduct diplomacy, and engage in warfare. The emphasis is not just on brute force, but on resource management, loyalty of subordinates, and long-term planning. Each officer in the game is represented with stats like intelligence, war ability, and loyalty, making them vital assets or potential threats. This added a layer of personality and unpredictability to the strategic formula.

In 1986, the game was released for the MSX platform. This version retained the structure of the original but adapted it for a more widely used home computer in Japan and parts of Europe. The MSX version featured simplified visuals due to hardware limitations, but preserved the game’s complexity. It relied heavily on menus and numerical indicators, with gameplay flowing slowly and deliberately, suited to fans of deep strategy. It remained largely untranslated for years, so access for Western audiences was minimal at first.

In 1989, KOEI released a localized version for MS-DOS computers in the United States. It marked one of the first major introductions of Japanese grand strategy games to a Western audience. The DOS version featured improved English translation, updated UI for PC standards, and keyboard-based commands that gave PC users a smoother experience compared to earlier Japanese computers. While the graphics were basic, consisting mostly of text menus and static portraits, the depth of gameplay was immediately recognized. It offered something distinct from Western strategy titles of the time: a more nuanced and systemic approach to power, politics, and war.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms stood out in 1989 because it diverged from the fast-paced or combat-heavy nature of Western strategy games like Command HQ or Empire. Instead, it introduced a historical simulation with dozens of interlocking systems, where success depended on not just military might, but diplomacy, administration, and the management of individual personalities. It also introduced Western players to a major cultural epic that was relatively unknown outside of East Asia at the time.

The series would go on to span more than a dozen sequels, but the original remains significant for laying the foundation. It helped define KOEI’s reputation and opened the door for later titles like Nobunaga’s Ambition and Genghis Khan to reach global audiences. The series continued with Romance of the Three Kingdoms II, Romance of the Three Kingdoms III: Dragon of Destiny and many others.