The history of China is full of of love, war, tragedies, political disagreements and exciting conflicts aimed at unifying China under the banner of one king. I became very interested in this history and the various military strategies that the Chinese armies were pursuing in that historical era through the book of the expert Chinese General Sun Tzu, after I witnessed how everything he wrote was perfectly reflected in Total War: Three Kingdoms.
The Art of War (Chinese: 孫子兵法) is an ancient Chinese military treatise dating from the Late Spring and Autumn Period (roughly 5th century BC). The work, which is attributed to the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu is composed of 13 chapters. Each one is devoted to a different set of skills (or “art”) related to warfare and how it applies to military strategy and tactics.
The Art of War remains the most influential strategy text in East Asian warfare and has influenced both Far Eastern and Western military thinking, business tactics, legal strategy, lifestyles and beyond.
Sun Tzu said: “The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand.” This sentence summarizes my experience and the extent of my fascination with the game Total War: Three Kingdoms … The war in this game does not depend on strategic skill only, but also opts for careful preparation in all situations before and even after winning any battle.
The game focuses on some of the aspects that other strategy games ignore, for the sake of achieving victory in combat with the fewest steps, such as diplomacy, trade, deal-making, military relations between the leaders of the armies, raising the morale of the soldiers, and other things that make it clear that the game is not only aimed at making you win, but immersing you completely in the role of a fine leader.
The Three Kingdoms
Total War: Three Kingdoms portrays an interesting era in the History of old China, The Three Kingdoms ear, a pivotal historical epic that has since become the subject of numerous literature interpretations. Some fans may recognize some of the military leaders whose names are referenced frequently in the games inspired from that era such as Lu Bu, Zhao Yun and others who carved their names in history with blood and glory.
The gameplay loop consists of choosing one of these young generals, and working with them towards the path of becoming the sole emperor of china. Each general has his own style of leading and achieving victory. Cao Cao for example prefers a more diplomatic approach in wars, plays his enemies like puppets, and ignores internal corruption if it doesn’t suit his needs, while Yuan Shu likes taking risks and making bold decisions.
The approach of Sun Tzu is more closer to Military Deception than Warfare, His famous words “All warfare is based on deception” constitute the entirety of the applications in this book. Hence, it can be interpreted as an anti-strategy book, that aims at passing a way with a very low number of disasters. Sun Tzu appreciate silence more than words, moving gently and quickly, instead of strongly and ferociously. Therefore, Three Kingdoms will look at the things Sun Tzu used to give priority for the most.
All Warfare is Deception
In Three Kingdoms, you have turns in which you can involve yourself in external relations and trade armies and goods, but internal affairs are also as important, such as obtaining more land and building materials. You also have to become fully responsible for the regions under your judications, preserve public order, improve income from taxes, the citizens can riot if they are starving, and that would put you in a very bad position later on.
But because of the amount of things you have to think about, it goes both ways for you and your opponent. If your opponent is secure and superior, you can cut off their supply points, separate their forces, send spies and break them from within, but division between the sovereign and their subjects, attack while they are unprepared. All of this is quoted from Sun Tzu and is simulated perfectly in game, and You can win without lifting a finger if you make the right approach.
Also mid battle, you can create a scenario where only a small portion of your force is visible to mislead opponents into thinking they outnumber you, and when they finally prepare an attack under that guise, they will be ill-prepared for the full strength of your forces. Of course, that goes hand in hand with the other strategies you have prepared internally and externally through your negotiations and spies.
Know your enemy and yourself
Other than the new addition of spies in this game, there is an entire game mode called romance, which differs from the usual strategic approach by addition powerful and special abilities to each general, make them superpowered and influential. There are even instances where you can pitch the leaders of two armies together for a duel to the death like the ones from anime and manga, and it would heavily influence the morale of the troops.
Sun Tzu says that the secret of war survivors lies in kings and leaders. “Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law? Which of the two generals has most ability? With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth? On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? Which army is stronger? On which side are officers and men more highly trained? In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? You can control all of this and more in Three kingdoms to the outmost detail.
Total War: Three Kingdoms is now available on PC and MacOS. It is a game where mistakes has consequences, and the amount of things to do or give attention to are huge. A variety of play styles is also encourage, but on the other hand, everything is accessible and managing things takes less time the more you go on. The more you play, the more your soul will be imbued the spirit of seeing beyond what’s in your area of sight, and be like flowing water, one that is able to pass through anything and everything.
Free link to read the book with historical cross references: The Art of War