Kessen

Kessen is a real-time tactical video game series developed by Koei, released for the PlayStation 2. The first installment, Kessen, was launched in 2000 and is set during the period of the Three Kingdoms in China, focusing on historical figures like Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian. The gameplay blends real-time strategy with tactical elements, allowing players to command armies in large-scale battles. Players can control troops, issue commands, and experience key historical events through cinematic cutscenes and battles.

The game features a unique mix of strategy and action, with players not only directing their forces but also participating in real-time combat, experiencing the grand scale of war. While the game received praise for its historical accuracy, dramatic presentation, and strategic depth, it was critiqued for its sometimes repetitive gameplay and lack of deeper tactical elements. The series continued with sequels like Kessen II and Kessen III, further refining the formula and expanding to new historical periods, though Kessen remains one of Koei's notable entries in the real-time strategy genre.