10 Additions We'd Like To See In Total War: Three Kingdoms

4. Fantasy Skins For Legendary Characters

Yuan Shao Meme Fellah
Paramount Pictures, Creative Assembly

This idea is a pretty divisive choice – I've seen a lot of vitriol from both sides of the debate. Now a major point seems to be that both sides are just in the very extremes of the choice. On the one side you've got people who want to keep things traditional and utilize the standard outfits that characters already have. On the other side you've got people who want fantastical outfits, like you would find in something like Dynasty Warriors.

The solution, then, seems obvious – put more traditional, albeit fancy, styles of outfits for the characters out as a DLC pack. The fervent 'I want pretty characters' group will pay for it. Two simple ideas would be 'Opera Outfits' - have all the characters' outfits get replaced with ones that look their respective characters from Chinese Opera, with painted faces, large headpieces, and grandiose robes. The second idea is fantastical outfits that are a little more down-to-earth, like the older Dynasty Warriors games. Just fancier versions of what they're already wearing.

Comparatively you could also give a more modern outfit to each character as a sort of alternative costume. Cao Cao in a James Bond-esque suit and tie, Liu Bei could get a Boy Scout-type uniform, Sun Ren in a modern qipao. Even the traditionalists might be tempted to pay a few bucks for Cyborg Xiahou Dun, French Maid Lu Bu, or Police Sergeant Sun Jian, if only for a lark.

Contributor
Contributor

Author of Escort (Eternal Press, 2015), co-founder of Nic3Ntertainment, and developer behind The Sickle Upon Sekigahara (2020). Currently freelancing as a game developer and history consultant. Also tends to travel the eastern U.S. doing courses on History, Writing, and Japanese Poetry. You can find his portfolio at www.richardcshaffer.com.