Ancient Chinese history meets turn-based strategy, you say? Nothing strengthens the old brain muscles like a game that requires ten minutes of head-scratching before you can even contemplate making your first move.

This is unforgivably difficult and if you're not familiar with tactical strategy, it's hardly an ideal introduction to the genre. You're presented with a board upon which are scattered statues, each representing an entire army division. You move them around, depending on their range, morale and other statistics, aiming to outfox the AI opponents and capture territory for the glory of your clan.

What follows is a menu-driven sequence of attack and counter-attack, with units chopping portions of health off each other and retreating to recover their strength. You can combine special attacks to create a devastating chain of up to ten moves that will ripple through the entire battlefield. Although it'll take a genius to calculate how it all can be linked up without losing the chain, thanks to a weak link in one of the stats.

It's improbably complicated and the bare-bones presentation is limited to a few samey cut-scenes plus some static artwork. The similarity of many of the moves means that time spent building armies doesn't have the dramatic effect you'd expect. Thus, the more complex but ultimately more rewarding Romance Of The Three Kingdoms series might be a better bet.

Graphics 50%
As basic as you'd expect for a wargame.

Sound 70%
Rousing score, dodgy American voice-over.

Gameplay 60%
Not for the faint-hearted.

Lifespan 80%
Around 50-60 hours, if you're determined.

Overall 60%
War strategy with very complicated rules. Approach with caution (and a degree in ancient Chinese history).