![](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126403333/160586420.png)
It was an era in which war begat war. Rival leaders fought for control, and uprisings spread throughout the land.Yet in the midst of this turmoil, there was one lord.
Kessen | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Koei |
Publisher(s) | Koei (JP) Electronic Arts(NA) |
Director(s) | Fumito Kozutsumi |
Designer(s) | Tachiki Kanda Norimitsu Komine Fumito Kozutsumi Takao Sakai Masahiko Sugahara Yōichi Wada Ichiro Yasuda |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, PlayStation Network |
Release | PlayStation 2
|
Genre(s) | Real-time tactics |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Kessen (決戦, 'Decisive Battle') is a real-time tactics video game produced by Koei and published by Electronic Arts. It was a launch game for the PlayStation 2 in Japan and North America. It was initially the only real-time wargame game available for the PlayStation 2.
It is a real-time tactics game set in feudal Japan, focusing upon a conflict between the eastern Tokugawa clan and western Toyotomi clan (with Ishida Mitsunari as the Toyotomi's guardian and protector) shogunates at the end of Sengoku Jidai. Tokugawa Ieyasu served as the primary representative for the Eastern forces where the Western army changed leaders based on the results of select key battles.
Although it was, for the most part, historically accurate, the game contained a number of 'what-if' scenarios, for example, if the Western forces are victorious at the Battle of Sekigahara (historically an Eastern victory).
Two sequels were later created, Kessen II and Kessen III. These two games introduced magical and meteorological elements to the games.
Cinematics[edit]
A note from the game's producer, Kou Shibusawa, addressed to players before any campaign begins, explains his desire to take his own twist on this segment of history but felt too constricted by cinema to do so properly. With Kessen, he believes that he was able to explore his ideas more freely. Thus, several of the game's cutscenes have a theatrical feel similar to chanbara and jidaigeki films.
Before each campaign begins, a narrator enlists a brief summary of the events proceeding the selected campaign to help familiarize players with the battle taking place. After the pre-planning of the battle is finished, a cinematic event occurs, often dramatizing character interactions or significant historical events that took place before the battle occurs.[1][2] Similar events also occur after the war council, during battle, and at the battle's end.
Among the historically accurate retelling of events, preference for the often romanticized accounts were sometimes used. Notable instances include Hosokawa Gracia ordering a soldier to kill her and Tokugawa Hidetada ordering the assassination of Sanada Masayuki for causing his tardiness at Sekigahara.[3]
Reception[edit]
Reception | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kessen received 'generally favorable reviews' according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of one nine, one eight, one seven, and one eight, for a total of 32 out of 40.[7][17]
Elsewhere, Jeff Luther from GamesFirst! noted that the game is easy to pick up, although he felt that it failed to maintain its difficulty level after the initial stages.[18] Others have also described it as redundant and slow.[19][20] Cutscenes were cited by one critic to be 'the visual appeal to Kessen'.[13] Graphics concerning the historical figures were also said to be 'over-the-top' and colorful enough to the point of ridiculousness, though impressive.[14] What gained Kessen the most praise was the game's sound department, many citing the orchestral score to be 'epic' with one critic noting the 'English voices to be good and fitting'. Overall, it is seen as a game for history buffs of Japanese history with a good but flawed presentation.[12]
The title won a special prize PlayStation Award in 2000. It was also nominated for the grand prize in the consumers' selection for graphics and scenarios.[21]
References[edit]
- ^Kessen- Tokugawa's Rearguard. YouTube. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^At Sekigahara, Shimazu Yoshihiro: So Ishida said, 'Night attacks are for cowards! Go fight boldly!' He would not listen to me and now look what we face. Koei (October 26, 2000). Kessen. PlayStation 2. Electronic Arts.
- ^Tokugawa Ieyasu: You had Masa Sanada murdered!? You fool! I detest such treachery!/ Tokugawa Hidetada But it was- it was because of him that we were late to arrive at Sekigahara! I just felt- / Tokugawa Ieyasu: What, more excuses... Leave my sight! I grow sickened by your face. Koei (October 26, 2000). Kessen. PlayStation 2. Electronic Arts.
- ^ ab'Kessen for PlayStation 2 Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^Chung, Terry. 'Kessen - Review'. AllGame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^Edge staff (January 2001). 'Kessen'. Edge (93).
- ^ ab'プレイステーション2 - 決戦'. Famitsu. 915: 55. June 30, 2006.
- ^'REVIEW for Kessen'. GameFan. November 3, 2000.
- ^Fitzloff, Jay (November 2000). 'Kessen'. Game Informer (91). Archived from the original on March 19, 2005. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^Jake The Snake (October 23, 2000). 'Kessen Review for PS2 on GamePro.com'. GamePro. Archived from the original on January 13, 2005. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^G-Wok (November 2000). 'Kessen Review'. Game Revolution. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^ abSato, Ike (March 14, 2000). 'Kessen Review'. GameSpot. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^ abCarlock, Jamie (November 10, 2000). 'Kessen'. PlanetPS2. Archived from the original on February 15, 2001. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^ abSmith, David (October 23, 2000). 'Kessen'. IGN. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^Baker, Chris (December 2000). 'Kessen'. Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^Ryan, Michael E. (February 13, 2001). 'Kessen: Lights, Camera, Shogun'. Playboy. Archived from the original on February 2, 2002. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^Perry, Douglass C. (March 2, 2000). 'Now Playing In Japan, Vol. 19'. IGN. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^Luther, Jeff. 'Kessen -- PS2 -- Four Stars'. GamesFirst!. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^Klepek, Patrick. 'Kessen'. Gaming Age. Archived from the original on May 19, 2001. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^McKown, Kevin. 'Kessen'. ZTGD. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^'Playstation Award 2000'. GameCity. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
External links[edit]
- Official Achieved Page at Koei
- Kessen at MobyGames
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kessen&oldid=941721113'
.: March 29, 2001.: September 26, 2001.: March 15, 2002Mode(s)Kessen II ( 決戦 II, Kessen Tsu) is a loosely based on the period of. It is the sequel to in name only; both Kessen and the later sequel are based on events in. The gameplay involves playing out major battles as the storyline progresses, with cutscenes between each battle for the development of the events and major characters. Before battle, players are given a choice of strategies to take, although they can manually control all units in the battlefield. All units are controlled by the AI unless the player directly intervenes, and battles between forces are carried out in real-time.
While in control of a unit, players are able to use special skills or magic spells to turn the tables, although enemy characters are also able to do so. Unlike 's other games based on ( and the game), the plot of Kessen II is a heavily fantasized version of the novel. The last of the family, begins a against the kingdom of led by, with much of the game's events being based on the novel with alterations due to the different storylines. A significant change to the story involves a romance between Liu Bei and the character, being a significant factor behind Liu Bei's decision to go to war, and, a semi-fictional sorceress (the historical Himiko ruled Wa ancient Japan). In addition to the fantasized theme, Kessen II departs from its realistic predecessor.
![Kessen 2 ps2 iso download Kessen 2 ps2 iso download](http://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/28647-kessen-ii-playstation-2-screenshot-wei-meet-the-mighty-power.jpg)
Koei introduces elements of, especially with the portrayal of notable such as and as. In battle, these characters are able to cause, summon storms and hurl fireballs. Reception ReceptionAggregate scoresAggregatorScore75.42%71/100Review scoresPublicationScore7/108/1035/408/107.7/1078%8.4/10The game received 'average' reviews, according to video game.
In Japan, gave it a score of 35 out of 40. Retrieved January 8, 2015. ^. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
EGM staff (December 2001). (150): 250. Bye, John 'Gestalt' (June 2, 2002). Retrieved January 8, 2015. ^ 'プレイステーション2 - 決戦II'. June 30, 2006. Kato, Matthew (October 2001).
Archived from on November 12, 2007. Retrieved January 8, 2015. Bro Buzz (September 28, 2001). Archived from on March 24, 2005.
Retrieved January 8, 2015. Ahmed, Shahed (October 4, 2001). Retrieved January 8, 2015. Osborne, Scott (November 2, 2001).
Archived from on December 6, 2001. Retrieved January 8, 2015. Smith, David (October 2, 2001).
Retrieved January 8, 2015. 'Kessen II'.: 168. December 2001. Bub, Andrew (October 19, 2001). Retrieved January 8, 2015.External links. at.
![](/uploads/1/2/6/4/126403333/160586420.png)