When we mention release date shifts, the first notion most people think is something in the lines of a delay. In the case of Koei's Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII, however, a re-scheduling is a good thing as the game gets ready for a March 21 release - more than a week earlier than previous announcements.

Following up this piece of good news is more info on game features. The game will allow for multiple endings, with players being able to change how fate will deal with some of the more remarkable characters you may have become accustomed to in Koei's Dynasty Warriors franchise. Let's just hope it's not another case of the "March Happily through the Cities" skin swap endings. As for the third promise... enjoy the screenshots!

The rest of the screenshots after the jump!

When the Japanese sell a game, they know how to treat the fans right. With the Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII title set for a March 21 launch in Japan, Koei is offering something extra to let everybody know it's coming. Eyeball the images below (lest it's been shot out by an arrow):

As the fans can see, Koei's included a new metallic blue PSP and leather purse case to go with title. Then there's the matter of the set's price tag, which got our attention: ¥ 23,940 (US$ 197.406). To put things in perspective, the UMD is set to sell in Japan for ¥ 5,040 (US$ 41.55), with PSPs running at around ¥ 20,790 (US$ 171.44), sans the game of course.

Compared to some other promos we've picked up for the PSP, this one is admittedly a steal. Still, wondering what's gotten into Koei, or Namco Bandai for that matter, given that Gundam Musou is facing up with a ¥ 69,800 (US $ 580) deal for the PS3.

This year of grace 2007 might be the Year of Nomura, might be the Year of the Squeenix PSP... and it might as well be the Year of the Turn-Based Strategy PSP. And after Field Commander last year, plus Jeanne d'Arc, Final Fantasy Tactics, and Dungeons & Dragons Tactics on the way, Koei gets back into the game, with Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII. GameWatch carried screens and a release date of March 29, year of grace 2007.

VIII had made previous appearances on the PC (in 2001) and the PS2 (2002). Based on the as always jumbled translations of Google, the PSP version will carry the features of the PS2 edition, modified for the widescreen. GameWatch didn't mention anything else beyond that, particularly any PSP bonuses.

On the PS2 front, Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII had been a well-reviewed title, if the burden of complex imperial management and tactical battle control was your sort of thing. And handhelds seem to be a perfect fit for turn-based strategy games, as Advance Wars and Field Commander can attest to. Again, if that's your sort of thing. Finally, you should know that Romance is the daddy of all Dynasty Warriors. Cao Cao would like to ask though, if he will be speaking in English in this game, too, now or in a future North American/European version? If that's your sort of thing.

View the rest of the screenshots at "Full Article".