Kessen

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Kessen
Developer(s)	Koei
Publisher(s)	Koei, Electronic Arts
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release date	JP 2000-03-04 NA 2000-10-26 PAL 2000-12-15
Genre(s)	Real-time tactics
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ELSPA: 15+ ESRB: Teen
Media	DVD-ROM
Input methods	Gamepad

Kessen (決戦, Kesen^?) is a PlayStation 2 launch title produced by Koei and published by Electronic Arts. This was the first DVD-ROM format game for the PS2. 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.

Contents 1 Cinematics 2 Critical Reception 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Cinematics

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 cut scenes 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.

Amongst the historically accurate retelling of events, preference for the oft 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]

[edit] Critical Reception

The first installment to the Kessen series was generally received positive by critics, many reacting to the gameplay with mixed impressions. Jeff Luther from GamesFirst! Magazine reviewed that the gameplay, though easy to pick up, failed to hold difficulty after the initial stages.^[4] Others have also said it to be redundant and slow.^[5][6] Cutscenes were cited by one critic to be "the visual appeal to Kessen".^[7] Graphics concerning the historical figures were also pried at to be "over the top" and colorful enough to the point of ridiculousness, though impressive for the game.^[8] 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".^[9] Overall, it is seen as a game for history buffs of Japanese history with a good but flawed presentation.

As of January 2008, the game holds an average ranking of 77% at Game Rankings.^[10]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Achieved Page at Koei
• Kessen at MobyGames