Genghis Khan II is one of those classic KOEI strategy games that feels like a rougher, wilder cousin to Romance of the Three Kingdoms—except instead of scheming warlords, you're wrangling horse archers and trying not to freeze to death in the steppes. The colors are weirdly bright for a game about Mongol conquests, but hey, it’s the Genesis.

You start small, just trying to keep your clan fed while raiding neighbors for sheep and iron. The first few turns are all about balancing food, loyalty, and not getting stomped by some rival khan who decided today’s the day to ruin your plans. Once you’ve got a decent horde, though? Nothing beats sending wave after wave of cavalry into China and watching their neat little formations collapse.

It’s got that old-school KOEI jank—expect to spend half your time deciphering menus—but there’s something satisfying about slowly painting the map your color. Just don’t expect mercy from the winter mechanics.