Game Information
- Platform: PlayStation2
- ELSPA Minimum Age: 11
- Media: Video Game
Product details
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The bigger brother of PlayStation 2 launch title Kessen, Kessen II is a very tactical title which requires great patience and bags of time to play, but rewards the player who sticks with it with gameplay by the sackload. It's a Japanese-developed game set in China and in typical Japanese style the story revolves around the feudal period of the country's history, telling a story of honour and betrayal on a grand scale. Think of it as a console war game involving ordering huge units of troops around a battlefield and you won't be far wrong.
As a gaming experience Kessen II can be rewarding and at the same time oddly frustrating, given the relatively poor quality of graphics during planning phases and the ponderous and overly intrusive cutscenes. The fighting sequences are all very impressive, though, with up to 500 troops on screen at any one time and the inclusion of magic users who can throw hellfire, damnation and some very impressive large boulders around with relative abandon.
For a game of such complexity the learning curve is nicely balanced and never feels as if it's going to get too difficult too quickly, but what may really hold the game back is its core subject--a tactics game set in feudal Japan will appeal to a very limited market. That said, if you fancy a break from Metal Gear's military tip-toeing and Grand Theft Auto's blatant "shoot first and never mind the questions" attitude there's a lot to be said for Kessen II.--Chris Russell
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
In short I loved this game, I played it for days on end until I completed it as both the available forces. Users control their armies and units on various maps in order to meet (or avoid) opposing forces. Once two opposing forces meet, a battle can be entered manually whereupon some stunning graphics will impress. Each army and its general have their unique strengths and frankly I couldn't get enough of controlling the magicians to wipe out enemy forces with bolts of lightning, fireballs and ice. It gets complicated when there are 6 different battles going on but very enjoyable all the same. Fantastic.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
I bought a PS2 because I thought it would be nice to be able to play DVDs and some decent games - but so far I have been very disappointed that virtually all the games I've tried, have not been my thing at all and seem mostly aimed at 14 year olds.
But finally a game with depth and interest that goes beyond the superficial - OK the cut-scenes are too long, but hey you can bypass them with the start button and for me it's a case of getting down to the battles. Playing the "baddie" - Cau Cau - is when the fun starts!
Great to have some difficult battles and enough to keep you interested for many hours - I mean I liked "Baldur's Gate" but it was all over too quickly!
Anybody who's not part of the "instant gratification" generation simply has to buy this!! I'm loving it and just don't want to get to the end - but even when I do I think I'll go back and try to win with all the blatantly bad strategies! ;-)
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Gareth Barns
This is a half game half story. From when you first start the game it will take you a good fifteen to twenty minutes of intro and scene watching before you make your first decision. However this with the rest of its long cut scenes and narratives is not a weakness but a strong point. With the original the story line was minimal and the army commanders came and went with no explanation. This is not true in the sequel where the story based on the Three Kingdoms period is well developed with personalities for all commanders. Feelings can be provoked by plot developments and when you defeat hated commanders.
The game itself is not quick, being of course a battle recreation. The game play only really becomes challenging in the expert modes, which have to be unlocked, although it is not painful replaying the story, as you will get extra in the higher modes. Some battles are easy some are hard where special abilities need to be used up wisely, it is always fun decimating an enemy with a magic attack, and the teaming up of units. Battles can be decided by one or two major decisions of silly mistakes.
Yes there are some niggles such as the quite sporadic at times movement of units, which cannot squeese through gaps and the inability to retreat quickly. Battles last longer than sometimes you may expect and you may have to win sometimes by exploiting the computers poor tactics.
Controls are quite quick to learn and are better than most tactic games. There is a great depth shown for one in the great number of duel variations. Admittedly I am addicted to it, but dont be put off if youve played the the slightly unenvolving/cumbersome original. The game play and story are much improved with you being able to control the action at all levels. If you have any sought of imagination you will be captivated in the plot and the Three Kingdom story for ever. I would also recommend this game for Three Kingdom fanatics that perhaps dont consider themselves great computer game players. As the controls should be picked up quickly and it is mainly about tactics.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Epic scale swords and sorcery strategy, with grade A storyline
Initially, Kessen 2 seems quite off-putting as the interface can take a while to familiarise yourself with. Read more
Published on 1 April 2007 by Marco Busani
5.0 out of 5 stars
This game is absolutely amazin!!!
This game gives strategy games a good name! The magic is completely amazing! The concept of fireballs, massive hailstones and earthquakes is brilliant. Read more
Published on 26 Mar 2006 by D. Hooley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty good
This game is pretty good. The first 2 levels are tutorials which are bit annoying. But as you get going the game turns into a strtegic warzone. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2005 by Mr. C. J. Kirby
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not bad....
This game will keep you happy for a while but it does tend to get tedious.
The story line is ok, maybe seeming a bit stupid at times. Read more
The story line is ok, maybe seeming a bit stupid at times. Read more
Published on 16 July 2005 by Mr. G. Blair
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fight,Think and kill!!
This game is exellent although the training is a bit boring and the 2 first levels are quite boring but after that ...well this game is great...! Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2004 by Mrs. Bm Thakur
4.0 out of 5 stars
Silly hats galore!
This is a rather interesting game, on the whole; set in ancient China, two generals command armies, throw magic at each other and generally cause havoc. Read more
Published on 26 May 2003 by James Coysh
2.0 out of 5 stars
All style no substance
After starting up this so called strategy game I was instantly dissapointed, it should be classified as a beat em up. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2002 by Robert
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Low-Down on Kessen 2
This is the sort of game, you either love or you hate(like marmite for instance).
In my case, I had recently seen the demo on this game and was determined to get this game, it... Read more
Published on 14 Mar 2002 by Mista Mista
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