Hack Slash Hack Slash Lather Rinse Repeat... (Kessen III (PS2))

Member Name: thegoldencat

Product:	Kessen III (PS2)
Date:	17/11/08 (54 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of hacking and slashing

Disadvantages: Too much hacking and slashing

Overview
An action/strategy hybrid based on the Samurai Warriors series. Kessen III charts the lifes and times of Nobunaga Oda in his attempts at unifying ancient Japan.

Koei
This game is made by Koei a company that makes flawed but entertaining games, ostensibly about actual people from history but really about riding around killing as many people as possible with a big spear. (Yay!) Their most noticable output being the Dynasty Warriors series on which 'Kessen II', this game's predecessor was based. They however were about the unification of China, not Japan. Confused? Good lets begin.

Gameplay
Let me start by prefacing the proceeding text by saying that Kessen III is deep down; a solid, enjoyable game from which one can derive many hours of entertainment. Its just that in many ways Kessen III is truelly terrible. Allow me to explain.

Gameplay in Kessen III offers some innovations over Kessen II but as a game is almost entirely different. An ambitious attempt has been made at merging the hack-slashery of the Dynasty series with the traditional strategy elements of Kessen. This blend of action and strategy is not entirely successful but works quite well once you get used to it.

Initially however you will be somewhat appalled by the sight of your entire squad saying "Hu ha ho", all swinging their swords at the same time. Now its an interesting idea but even though I dont know much about ancient warfare; Im sure thats not how it works.

If you can get over this you'll discover another interesting new feature which is Troop Skills. Activated by holding triangle and requiring timing and skill to pull-off well; troop skills are visually arresting, as well as devastating to enemy troops. Troop skills are dependant on troop type each type having something different. Mounted spears unleash a ferocious unstoppable cavalry charge through the enemies massed ranks to the accompaniment of a vast exultant roar, for instance. Satisfying stuff.

You control your units movement with the d-pad or analogue. You'll generally be Nobunaga but theres no obligation. Your other generals are directed through a point and click system via the map. In this way you can be very tactical, instigating pincer movements and so on. Alternatively you can just charge about like a mad man slaughtering at random. There is an incentive to playing skillfully, mind. Earn an S-rank and you'll get bombarded with booty. (not that kind) (unfortunately)

The basic structure of the game progresses thusly. Your man Nobunaga heads a sort of general meeting which is kind of ambiguous so we'll say a general's meeting. Although you could have a general's general meeting. Anyway here you can decide between customising your generals, buying stuff to customise your generals with, or picking between available battles. Choose a battle and its off to the war council were you're briefed on the lay of the land. Pick which generals you want to accompany you and its off to war. You'll repeat this process many times.

A wealth of customisation options are available with each generals armour, helmet, horse and troop type your's to alter. There is almost too much depth to this. To the extent that you can spend more time obsessively-compulsively tinkering with your offficers than you do, actually fighting.

Story
The story revolves around Nobunaga Oda and his trusty generals in their attempts to unify Japan. This is achieved through battles. Lots of battles. Nobunaga is an odd fellow who commands respect (presumably) through camp posturing and slightly excessive arm gestures. That is, he punctuates every sentence with an exclamation mark and an arm sweep. I think he's meant to be larger-than-life.

At first you'll think: "this is all needlessly obscure Japanese nonsense!" and you'd be right. As you play on though you will gradually warm to it all. There is a sense of humour to at the heart of Kessen III and I actually laughed out loud once or twice playing through. Even though the voice acting is almost unformly dire, verging on pantomimical you'll become fond of the various characters even if its only in a Stockholm Syndrome sort-of-way.

There is a cutscene following almost every battle. And while they're not great, but rather naffly amusing, they do give you a base to this strange world, a motivation to the endless fighting.

Of course the very idea of this game is outlandish if you think about it. Its obviously a cultural thing. We do not make mythical heroes of ours historical figures, imparting upon them superhuman abilities. Imagine if you will Henry VIII barreling through enemy troops smiting hundreds single-handedly, shortly before shooting up 50 ft in the air* and firing lightning at the opposing army. It doesn't work does it?

Negative factors
Many of the poorer aspects of this game apparantly stem from laziness on the part of the developer. Theres an annoying sense that this is a good game that could have been a great one. Theres a lack of polish to everything suggesting a rush job. Many elements of Kessen II which could have been retained and improved upon have been abandoned, some remain but are inexplicably worse. The magic, for instance, which was a highlight of Kessen II is really quite shockingly bad in this, seemingly tacked on as an after-thought. They needn't have bothered.
There is of course the obvious limitation that this is just one battle after another and many will tire of the endless repetition after a while.

Of course as well as all that its also just really cheesy.

Verdict
Repetitive but addictive; Kessen III draws you in and wont let you go until all Japan is yours and before you know it youre spending 10 minutes colour co-ordinating the generals armour to match their horses before you even think about battling.

Overall, an entertaining and satisfying foray through feudal Japan hampered but not altogether ruined by numerous flaws that prevent this game achieving greatness.




*- They dont actually do this in Kessen III but did in Kessen II. It was my favourite bit.

Summary: A good game in a rubbish sort of way.