Nintendo Nes Console: Romance of the Three Kingdoms II Review

Romance of the Three Kingdoms II is the one that got me started on the ancient Chinese saga.This game lacks the complexity of the more recent releases (IV, VI, most likely VII) but that is part of what makes it so accesable and so fun.
There is no research of any kind, minimal training, each general can carry 100 of their own personal troops, each general can purchase 100 of their own personal arms.Loyalty fluctuates like crazy (generals may lose 6 loyalty every month if they don't like you) but simply rewarding a general with a horse can boost his loyalty by up to 24 or 25 if I remember correctly.
The game basically plays out as follows:
1)Recruit generals
2)Hire troops
3)Attack
4)Repeat 1-3
It may seem a little simple and in fact, it really is.Once you get the hang of it you will have no problem rampaging around China doing as you please; the entire process makes for endless hours of enjoyment and gives you the opportunity to become familiar with many of the Chinese names, strengths and weaknesses of particular generals.To know that Huang Zhong is old.Know that Xiahou Dun is missing an eye.Know that Zhang Fei has a bushy beard.
Mulitplayer in Romance II is incredibly fun, partly because of the speed of the game.If everyone involved is familiar with the process there is no reason for anyone to take forever with their turn.There's no researching involved and developing your city is as simple as spending some cash on land value and flood control, or giving food to the people to gain their loyalty.
You will talk much smack to your friends as you play.
There is not much depth to this game as I stated earlier, but that is the charm of it.If I had to recommend any Romance of the Three Kingdoms game for someone starting out with the title or style I would recommend II.Also, I would recommend the Sega Genesis version if you have access to it.It plays smoother, has more pleasing graphics and has slightly less irritable midi sound.
I'm writing this review almost a decade after we used to play it and I know it doesn't stand up to the games today graphically and sound-wise, but I remember playing this game in 7th grade.Then in 8th grade.Then when Romance III came out we still played II multiplayer.Then when IV came out we still played II multiplayer.Even today with VI out and VII on the way, we will go back and smack eachother in a good game of Romance II when the feeling strikes us.
Get past the fact that it's done on a 16 bit cartridge with butt poor graphics and sound and you will unearth one of the greatest video game treasures of all time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Romance of the Three Kingdoms II