It is 190CE and China is in turmoil. The Han Dynasty crumbles before the child-emperor, who is a mere puppet for the tyrant Dong Zhuo. The brutal and oppressive regime’s power grows as the empire slips further into anarchy. Yet hope blossoms in the form of three heroes, sworn to brotherhood in the face of calamity. Warlords of great families follow suit, forming a fragile coalition in a bid to challenge Dong Zhuo’s remorseless rule. The future of China will be shaped by their hands, but personal ambition threatens their already crumbling alliance.

Inspired by the beauty and artistic style of the age, Total War: Three Kingdoms breathes life into the heroes of this fascinating period as they struggle to unite China under a single banner.

Building on the legacy of Total War's acclaimed history titles, Records mode draws from 3rd century records of historical events to offer a realistic view of how these conflicts came to pass. This take on THREE KINGDOMS is sure to delight history buffs as they rely on their own strategic prowess to conquer and conspire their way through Ancient China.

Records is the counterpart to Romance mode, the game's legendary retelling of the Three Kingdoms history, complete with larger-than-life warlords, each boasting powerful abilities. The campaign experience is similar between the two modes, but the differences have a significant impact on the real-time battles.

In Romance, for example, your general is a force to be reckoned with – some even able to shout opposing troops to death. In Records, these warlords are regular people, much more vulnerable to grave wounds or untimely deaths. Victory will depend on your shrewd tactical orders; one mistake could cost you the loyalty of your faction.

In our current tests, Records battles can last up to 30% longer, playing more as a game of tactical chess than an all-out brawl. This comes down to units becoming fatigued more quickly, reducing the damage they dish out as they tire. The result is an increased pressure on player choices – knowing when to invest energy and how to maintain an advantage.

In this battle, the Ironfirst warlord, Gongsun Zan, must use military precision to best the opposing warrior Ma Chao, the loyal heir of Ma Teng. Who will emerge victorious?

Total War: Three Kingdoms is scheduled for release on March 23, 2019.