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Screens & Info Updated: 12/13/2004

The first sequel in almost three years, Kessen III marks the highly respected franchise's return to Japanese history and aesthetics.

The story begins at the heart of Japan’s turbulent Sengoku or "warring states" period. Endless chaos and plunder have consumed the once isolated islands. A young teenager, known for his extravagant appearance and unconventional attitude emerges from Central Japan- he is Nobunaga Oda.

While elders admonished him, Nobunaga’s contemporaries admired him. Blessed with an indomitable vision and fearless constitution, the soon-to-be legendary Nobunaga will stand against legions of samurai warriors in order to resurrect a land filled with chaos and sorrow.

Features:

• A completely new, action-packed gameplay experience with real-time combat.
• The new Crowd Engine enables all stages of battle to take place in full 3D.
• 13 Chapters and over 50 stages of battle.
• Devastating Ninja attacks summon incredible beasts of war.
• Use Coordinated Attacks to rout the enemy.
• Charge the battlefield with various units including a swift cavalry or speedy ninja.
• Use a Raid to take on enemy soldiers one by one.
• Enter the War Council to plan marching routes, choose officers to take into battle, and determine battle policies.
• Cultivate officers to improve their combat skills.
• Customize your officers with over 450 weapons, helmets, samurai armor, and other items that improve an officer’s stats.
• A deep and compelling story unfolds through over 120 combined minutes of movie sequences.
• Non-linear stage selection lets you plan each campaign- a first for the series!
• Majestic battlegrounds with commanding views of Mt. Fuji, and the mighty iron ships at the mouth of the Kizu River.
• A stirring musical score from legendary composer Reijiro Koroku.

Each troop belongs to a unit. A unit is comprised of a primary troop and up to two support troops. The player can assume direct control of the primary or support troops at any point in combat. Units moving at a higher velocity will cause more damage, than slower moving units.

The marching speed of a unit depends on the unit type. For example, cavalry and ninja units can travel much faster than normal foot soldiers. The terrain (inclines, marshes, water) can negatively affect a unit’s mobility.

STRATEGY: THE WAR COUNCIL
Strategy is one of the Kessen series’ most popular aspects, and it is an important element in Kessen III as well.

Players can decide which officers will go into combat, unit objectives, marching routes for each unit, and a general battle policy.

Once the player chooses a battle, Nobunaga will declare a war council. This is where the game’s strategic planning takes place. Subordinate officers will explain the current situation and conditions for victory.

While the player has full real-time control of a single unit, the other units will follow the assigned plan. For unexpected circumstances during combat, the player can assign new orders at any time. Gamers who want to focus on action, can use the “Auto Placement” command which selects and positions combat officers for them.

Using the troop selection menu (on the left of the screen), the player can take control of any allied troop on the field.

After the War Council, Nobunaga will declare the start of combat. The stage is won when the player satisfies the conditions for victory. Post-battle, players can review character upgrades, bonuses and points.

THE BATTLEFIELDS
Nobunaga’s forces will battle the armies of chaos through more than 50 stages. Here are just some of the environments players will encounter:

SAKAI VILLAGE
During the Sengoku Period, Sakai Village was governed by merchants and became a key port of trade with foreign ships. In the screenshots of Sakai Village, you will see combat along the seaport's narrow streets which lined with merchant houses.

THE BATTLE AT THE MOUTH OF KIZU RIVER
The Mouri army used the Bay at the Kizu River, near Osaka, to transport soldiers and food to Ishiyama Honganji, a religious temple in Osaka later destroyed by Nobunaga. In a successful Naval blockade at the mouth of the Kizu River, the brilliant Nobunaga used iron clad ships armed with rows of cannons against the Mouri forces.

CLASH MT. FUJI
Kessen III recreates the majestic rolling mountains and valley passes, each which become crucial factors to victory during the skirmishes near the glorious and deeply revered Mt. Fuji.

Features:
KESSEN III is the first sequel to the series in almost four years and will be notable for several sweeping changes to the widely respected franchise. The series' Crowd Engine that was used in the original Kessen has been completely rebuilt to deliver the most exciting battle scenes and action-oriented gameplay in the series- all in full 3D. Unlike any of the previous Kessen games in the series, players will have direct real-time control of troop movements, offensives, and defensive maneuvers. Moreover, allied units can join the player-controlled unit to create combination attacks!

KESSEN III features non-linear stage selection, an officer and troop development system, and a process that allows players to equip officers with over 450 weapons, helmets, and samurai armor. The game's deep and compelling narrative will unfold throughout 120 combined minutes of movie sequences, accompanied by a stirring musical score from legendary composer Reijiro Koroku.

Information:
The new sequel also marks the franchise's return to Japanese history and aesthetics. It is the middle of the turbulent Sengoku or "warring states" period. Endless chaos and plunder have consumed the islands of Japan. A young teenager, known for his extravagant appearance and unconventional attitude emerges from Central Japan- he is Nobunaga Oda. While elders admonished him, his contemporaries admired him. Blessed with an indomitable vision and fearless constitution, the soon-to-be legendary Nobunaga will stand against legions of warriors in order to resurrect a land filled with chaos and sorrow.

Kessen III now features non-linear stage selection, an officer and troop development system, and a process that allows players to equip officers with over 450 weapons, helmets, and samurai armor. The game's deep and compelling narrative will unfold throughout 120 combined minutes of movie sequences, accompanied by a stirring musical score from legendary composer Reijiro Koroku.

The new sequel also marks the franchise's return to Japanese history and aesthetics. It is the middle of the turbulent Sengoku or "warring states" period. Endless chaos and plunder have consumed the islands of Japan. A young teenager, known for his extravagant appearance and unconventional attitude emerges from Central Japan- he is Nobunaga Oda. While elders admonished him, his contemporaries admired him. Blessed with an indomitable vision and fearless constitution, the soon-to-be legendary Nobunaga will stand against legions of warriors in order to resurrect a land filled with chaos and sorrow.

"The Kessen series' rise to prominence coincided with the launch of the PlayStation 2, and with its sequel the games quickly established themselves into a franchise that would have a place of distinction in video game history. A long-awaited sequel, Kessen III signals the rebirth of the series and will feature evolutionary changes in gameplay," said Amos Ip, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at KOEI Corporation. "In many respects, Kessen III represents a culmination of the company's core philosophies and expertise in crafting the finest battlefield simulation games."