Rating: 9.5/10

Synopsis:

A World Betrayed portrays a seminal moment in the history of the Three Kingdoms. Many of the iconic warlords of Total War: THREE KINGDOMS have now passed on, a catalyst that has spurred a new generation of warlords into making a play for their own dynasties.

As well as adding in more factions to the South, A World Betrayed includes:

• Two new factions led by fan favourites Lü Bu and Sun Ce
• 13 playable factions
• New unique battlefield units
• New faction mechanics
• New events and story missions
• New legendary characters
• New story events
• A brand-new 194 CE start date

All sons are born in the shadow of their fathers. It’s how they move beyond that defines them.

The year is 194CE and Dong Zhuo, the seemingly unstoppable tyrant, has been dead for two years. But his death blow did not come from an enemy hand; the blade belonged to Lü Bu, his adoptive son.

Since Dong Zhuo’s death, Lü Bu has flirted with a number of allegiances, swiftly falling in (and out) with the warlords he finds around him. Having found further opportunities by taking Cao Cao’s land while he was away avenging the death of his father, he now flees from Cao Cao and his allies, seeking further means to prove his battle prowess and defeat the supposed heroes of China.

Meanwhile in the South, Sun Ce mourns his own father’s death, Sun Jian. Vowing to defend his legacy, he seeks expansion into the South, but can he keep his people safe and prove his worth beyond his father’s legacy?

With the world in turmoil, it’s up to you to carve out a path for your hero, and lay waste to anyone that stands in your way.

Lü Bu

The legendary warrior Lü Bu may be fearsome in battle, but he is hasty when it comes to the intricacies of rule. At the start of his campaign players will find themselves locked in combat with Cao Cao’s main army. Fight your way out of Chen to survive and rally your forces for the next inevitable showdown. This is the only DLC in which Lü Bu and his faction become playable.

Unique Faction Mechanics:

• Momentum:
  Lü Bu’s faction centres around Lü Bu himself defeating enemies as faction leader. Defeating enemy characters grants momentum points which enable a variety of powerful actions and bonuses.
• Greatest Warrior Panel:
  Lü Bu’s faction has access to the ‘Greatest Warriors’ panel, featuring legendary warriors from the Three Kingdoms period. Defeating these legendary warriors with Lü Bu unlocks various permanent bonuses for the faction.

Unique Story Events:

• Experience the historic conflict between Cao Cao and Lü Bu
• Lü Bu’s shifting allegiances: will you join Liu Bei, and later betray him?
• Lü Bu’s fractured faction: Will your generals betray you?
• When playing as Lü Bu you also have access to two new units;
• Camp Crushers (two-handed sword infantry)
• Flying Riders (armoured shock cavalry)

Sun Ce

The military general Sun Ce is a vassal of Yuan Shu at the start of this campaign, as his father Sun Jian was before him. In Sun Ce’s campaign the player must grapple with decisions around the overlord; should Sun Ce stay loyal or should he rebel? With a desire to push South and conquer his homelands, Sun Ce has a fraught journey ahead of him.

Unique Faction Mechanic:

• Legacy Of Wu:
  Sun Ce has a list of ‘ambitions’ and completing these goals grants permanent bonuses to his faction. This includes tasks such as conquering lands in the south, gathering high-level characters into his court and getting vengeance for his father’s murder.
• Reckless Luck:
  Sun Ce’s reckless behaviour lets him expand his kingdom with unmatched speed and ease. But the luck that keeps him alive can’t be sustained forever. If his luck runs out, Sun Ce dies. By completing his ambitions, his death can be delayed and, perhaps, avoided.

Unique Story Events:

• Guide Sun Ce’s unbridled ambition and reckless confidence into conquering the South.
• Experience Sun Ce’s conflict with Yan Baihu and Yuan Shu.
• Prove your worth, and Sun Jian’s old generals will flock to your faction.

When playing as Sun Ce you also have access to two new units and his father’s mercenary units.

• Tiger Guard (heavy spear infantry)
• Handmaid Guard (medium sword cavalry)
• Mercenary Archers (light bow infantry)
• Mercenary Infantry (medium axe infantry)
• Mercenary Cavalry (medium spear cavalry)

Returning Heroes

As well as our two new factions, A World Betrayed sees a brand-new start date and brand-new challenges for the following returning factions:

• Cao Cao
• Liu Bei
• Yuan Shao
• Yuan Shu
• Liu Biao
• Zhang Yan
• Zheng Jiang
• Gongsun Zan
• Kong Rong
• Ma Teng

Review:

This DLC is jampacked with so many features that demand your attention! I chose Lu Bu because I thought he had the best way of playing the campaign. During 194 BCE, China is in a state of turmoil and chaos. The warlords remain present at large. Lu Bu is the most feared warrior under the tyrant Dong Zhu. Lu Bu however falls for Diaochan, one of the most reputable ladies in the Romance of the Three Kingdom, and convinced by Diaochan’s father, kills Dong Zhu, his adopted father. Chaos erupts, and that’s perfect for a schemer like Cao Cao who has had one thorn removed from his side.

In the campaign, you get to engage Cao Cao early on. I executed his generals to gain momentum and I faced his army and his generals. Lu Bu killed every one of them. Their entire army routed. What cowards! Cowards I say! Playing as Lu Bu, you must keep him contained in war as much as possible. In diplomacy, the AI will try to outwit you to gain as much from you as possible while giving you as little as possible. There’s a neat trick where if you toggle over to request payment, it gives the maximum that they’ll accept. Go to the max, and then lower to an acceptable decision. It keeps you having money, but you are always bankrupt at some point. The real Lu Bu faced a lot of decisions that made him go from one disaster to another.

In the campaign, you get to engage Cao Cao early on. I executed his generals to gain momentum and I faced his army and his generals. Lu Bu killed every one of them. Their entire army routed. What cowards! Cowards I say! Playing as Lu Bu, you must keep him contained in war as much as possible. In diplomacy, the AI will try to outwit you to gain as much from you as possible while giving you as little as possible. There’s a neat trick where if you toggle over to request payment, it gives the maximum that they’ll accept. Go to the max, and then lower to an acceptable decision. It keeps you having money, but you are always bankrupt at some point. The real Lu Bu faced a lot of decisions that made him go from one disaster to another.

That said, I love the story missions with Lu Bu and Cao Cao. We get a unique perspective that hasn’t been presented so well. Lu Bu was arrogant, but he was no fool.

Also, you get new units, flying raiders, and Jian Swordsmen that can turn the tide of battle. Chen Gong should and must be your administrator because he is an excellent strategist. He should have traits and ancillaries that should suit his playstyle, including the lawgiver and the spymaster. Overall, there’s technology to manage, diplomacy to deal with, politics of your scheming generals, and then there’s Diaochan. Use Lu Bu in battles because he’ll win them for you. A one-man army so to say. I have to say, there are so much content and DLC for £7.99. Honestly just go and buy this. What an amazing DLC.