Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Kessen II builds on the real-time strategy foundations of its predecessor, expanding battlefield scale and tactical options. You command up to 500 units simultaneously, maneuvering infantry, cavalry and specialized forces like elephant cavalry and elite horsemen. The interface remains approachable for newcomers, with context-sensitive commands and quick-access menus allowing you to issue orders without pausing the action.

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What really sets Kessen II apart is the introduction of supernatural warfare. Beyond traditional archery volleys and cavalry charges, your generals can unleash elemental magic—summoning tornadoes, lightning strikes, meteor showers and even earthquakes to disrupt enemy formations. These flashy attacks not only look impressive on the battlefield but add a layer of strategic depth, forcing you to consider area denial and timing as much as unit composition.

The game’s dual-campaign structure lets you step into the boots of either Liu Bei or Cao Cao. Each side offers unique scenarios, objectives and challenges. While Liu Bei’s missions emphasize defense, rescue and guerrilla tactics after Diao Chan’s abduction, Cao Cao’s stages focus on sweeping offensives and consolidation of power. This contrast keeps the gameplay fresh and encourages multiple playthroughs.

Graphics

On PlayStation 2 hardware, Kessen II delivers sprawling battlefields rendered with surprising detail. Grasslands ripple under troop movements, banners flutter in the wind, and the camera sweeps across hundreds of units without noticeable slowdown. Environment textures sometimes appear flat up close, but from a tactical viewpoint the visual clarity serves its purpose.

Supernatural effects truly shine. When you call down a lightning storm or watch a meteor shower impact, particle effects glow and shatter earth in a satisfying flourish. The animations for each magical attack feel weighty—rocks heave, dust plumes rise, and soldiers react convincingly to cataclysmic damage. These spectacles break up the standard clash-and-bash pace and underscore the game’s mythic spin on history.

Cinematic cutscenes between battles feature pre-rendered backgrounds and stylized character portraits, lending an operatic flair to key story beats. Facial animations aren’t quite up to modern standards, but they convey the drama of each betrayal or vow of vengeance. Even the static art elevates the narrative, with richly costumed generals and ornate palace halls reinforcing the game’s Three Kingdoms setting.

Story

Set during the turbulent Three Kingdoms period, Kessen II dramatizes real historical events through a heavily fictionalized lens. You begin as Liu Bei, whose kingdom of Shu is under siege by Cao Cao’s Wei forces. After Diao Chan—the keeper of the Imperial Seal and Liu Bei’s beloved—is abducted, Shu falls and Liu Bei must retreat, vowing revenge.

The narrative weaves in a romantic subplot between Liu Bei and Diao Chan, an element entirely absent from most historical accounts. This love story adds emotional stakes to each campaign mission, transforming standard sieges and skirmishes into personal quests for redemption. Meanwhile, alternate scenarios allow you to experience the same war from Cao Cao’s ruthless perspective, emphasizing conquest and political intrigue.

While the core plot is familiar to fans of Romance of the Three Kingdoms lore, Kessen II spices things up with rogue generals, secret alliances and betrayals that never occurred in real life. The supernatural angle—mystic armies, magical artifacts—pushes the story into mythic territory, satisfying those who want grand spectacle over strict historicity. Dialogue can feel melodramatic at times, but it underlines the epic scope of the conflict.

Overall Experience

Kessen II offers a uniquely cinematic take on real-time strategy, balancing large-scale tactical play with narrative-driven cutscenes. The flow from battlefield command to story interlude never feels jarring—you’re always motivated to see how the next engagement advances Liu Bei’s quest or Cao Cao’s ambition. Missions vary in design, from desperate defenses to blitzkrieg assaults, ensuring few hours feel repetitive.

Although some players may find the supernatural magic gimmicky, it integrates seamlessly with core mechanics and elevates standard RTS fare. The learning curve is gentle but rewarding: new units and special attacks unlock gradually, giving you time to experiment before facing harder challenges. Replay value is high, thanks to the two distinct campaigns and optional bonus stages unlocked by achieving objectives.

For fans of historical fiction, strategy enthusiasts and those drawn to high-octane battle spectacles, Kessen II stands out as one of the few console RTS titles that truly embraces scale and drama. Its combination of accessible controls, dynamic magic and operatic storytelling makes it a memorable entry in the genre and a recommended purchase for anyone seeking an epic war game with a mythic twist.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10