Total War: Three Kingdoms might just make for a considerably impressive twist on the classic Total War formula that we've come to know and love playing the franchise. The latest official gameplay demonstration showcases a significantly more cinematic experience than what you might be expecting.
First, there's the obvious stuff - the game looks downright beautiful, in particular during the night encounters, such as the one shown in the given video. This situation allows the engine's advanced lighting mechanics to truly shine, and as soon as the dense forests of ancient China begin to burn, you know you're in for a real visual treat.
The catch with Total War: Three Kingdoms is that, as you probably know, it isn't a purely fantastical nor purely historical sort of fiction. Instead, the setting does have its roots in historical facts, although it is also highly romanticised (courtesy of it stemming from a novel), and this allows for one-on-one combat that doesn't necessarily feel out of place.
Indeed, though the game is absolutely beautiful and looks to be the most cinematic Total War by far, the part where it really begins to click why this is a fully-fledged standalone game becomes apparent when named characters start duelling, with truly impressive animations and set-pieces to back them up.
Total War: Three Kingdoms might just be trying to capture the drama and pizzaz of the myth in a more refined and subtle way than any of us could've expected, and it's looking good. Total War: Three Kingdoms is set to release sometime in Spring 2019, and suffice it to say that we are pretty excited about it.
