Play Bandit Kings of Ancient China Online

Bandit Kings of Ancient China came out in 1989 as part of Koei's classic MS-DOS strategy lineup. It arrived during a period when complex, turn-based games were gaining a dedicated audience, offering a deep alternative to the action titles that dominated the era. The game draws from the same historical novel, Water Margin, that inspired several other Koei titles, placing you right in the middle of its turbulent rebellion.

You control one of 36 bandit leaders, each with unique stats and personalities, working to unify China under your rule. The main objective involves expanding your influence by conquering territories, managing resources like gold and grain, and winning the loyalty of other outlaws. Key mechanics include sending spies to gather intelligence on rivals, initiating one-on-one duels to settle disputes or claim prisoners, and navigating a strategic map where movement and supply lines dictate your options. The pacing is deliberate, demanding careful planning each season, and the difficulty comes from the constant political shifts; allies you spent years cultivating can suddenly defect if offered a better deal. It feels like conducting a messy, unpredictable orchestra where every musician has their own agenda.

Each game uses different controls, most DOS games use the keyboard arrows. Some will use the mouse , "Alt" ,"Enter" and "Space bar".