Christmas with Sino-Games.com!

Looking to buy SGS as a Xmas gift? From now till 23rd December, Sino-Games.com will help you gift-wrap your order and deliver it right to your doorstep (delivery valid for Singapore recipients only). In fact, beginning 2012, Sino-games.com will be doing 100% door-to-door deliveries for all Singapore recipients (delivery charges apply). Unfortunately, we can't go door-to-door and deliver to other countries. We'd love to, but we don't have our...

SGS English Gets a new SKIN

Dear Readers, This blog is TWO years old. It seems like yesterday  that I was blogging about Zhang Fei 张飞 (one of my first posts) and describing the history of the Wine culture in China in the WINE 酒 post.  With the old template getting rather tiresome, I have decided to switch to the new Blogger Dynamic template. Yes it will take a bit of getting used to, but i love the much cleaner look now. Here's my 2 cents worth on making...

Páng Dé 庞德 (SP006)

Translated Description: “Carrying The Coffin 抬榇之悟(tái chèn zhī wù)” Who is he? An admirable man. He is Pang De,a brave fighter and an exceptional general living in the Three Kingdoms era. In his entire life, he changed rulers multiple times, but nobody questioned his loyalty. He proved his devotion with his own life: he fought against enemies valiantly, and he even carried his coffin into battle to show his courage (See...

Q-Version English Blog

Dear readers, So i'm a kid on the inside. I like the cute cartoon drawings in the Q-version of SGS, but also realized that there are "hidden messages" behind some of the portraits! Therefore I have created another blog called SGS-Q-Version specially dedicated to it. The Q-version blog will mostly contain content that is port over from this blog, but will contain my point of view about some of the hidden messages in the drawings. Click here...

Negate 无懈可击

Description:The all-important card! NEGATE is arguably one of the most useful cards in the entire game. If you are familiar with the card game "Monopoly Deal", you would quickly see the similarities between NEGATE and "JUST SAY NO". Every tool card can be negated, including NEGATE itself! NEGATE can be used by any player at any time. You don't have to use it during your turn!What it does:It renders the tool card or its effects useless. Where the...

Yáng Xiū 杨修

What's with the cartoon?Yang Xiu is eating the famous cake that gives his ability its name. You can even see the words 一合酥 on the box!Who is he:Famed to be one of the most brilliant advisers to Cao Cao 曹操, Yang Xiu was either a genius or a lunatic. Going by his track-record of excellent advice and superior logic, he was mostly trusted, even respected, by Cao Cao. On the other hand, Yang Xiu has a nasty habit of thinking way too far and conjuring...

Guān Yǔ 关羽

What's with the cartoon?They gave him a different pose, but otherwise nothing much has changed. His beard looks exceptionally bushy in this cartoon version though.Who is he:He is a god. No kidding. The legend of Guan Yu and his strong sense of chivalry and brotherhood has transcended two millenia and is still widely revered today in Chinese culture. Mention his deity name "Guan Gong 关公" and most elder chinese would relate to you legendary stories...

Zhào Yún 赵云

What's with the cartoon?Zhao Yun was always referred in some way to Dragons, thanks to his other name Zhao Zi Long 赵子龙, which contains the word Dragon 龙. I must say though, the dragon looks a little too much like a seahorse here.Who is he:The hunk in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Yun is portrayed like the Antonio Banderas of ancient China, complete with sword wielding abilities equal to Zorro (or probably better?). Always the general of Shu...

Elder Zhū Gě Liàng 暮年诸葛亮

What's with the cartoon?A cuter version of the original portrait... with the eagle resting on his head gear this time.Who is he:The star of the show, but definitely not the star of the card game. In this San Guo Sha 三国杀 card game there are not 1, not 2, but 3 Zhu Ge Liang to choose from. This elder version is the most subdued and the least god-like. The other 2 are just simply unfairly powerful. Just in case you do not know who Zhu Ge Liang is, he...

Liú Bèi 刘备

What's with the cartoon?Liu Bei is the charitable one, constantly giving away all his cards and healing himself in the process. No wonder he is smiling so widely. By the way, his super long ears are actually described in the story.Who is he:The "good" guy. Liu Bei is the founding ruler of the Kingdom of Shu Han 蜀汉 during the Three Kingdoms Era. The impression of Liu Bei amongst people today depends on which side of the fence they are on. If they...

Lǚ Bù 吕布

What's with the cartoon?Just a cuter version of the original portrait, this time shown holding his Heavenly Halberd. Who is he:Quite possibly the best fighter in all of China in that era, Lu Bu was a formidable general that struck fear in his opponents. Yet for all his military prowess and combat ability, Lu Bu was not the smartest of people. Throw in a tinge of greed, a sprinkle of lust, and you have a riding, fighting disaster atop four hooves....

Huà Tuó 华佗

What's with the cartoon?Hua Tuo is the medic of the entire game! Thus it is fitting that they give him a syringe (albeit with s horrifyingly large needle) and let him have peach while he's at it.Who is he:His name has become synonymous with "Miracle Doctor" as he cured many strange sicknesses. Studies by historians said his medical techniques were hundreds of years ahead of his time. The Romance of Three Kingdoms story, however, deviates from history...

Diāo Chán 貂蝉

What's with the cartoon?Just a cuter version of the original portrait. Perhaps they should release a cuter version of the SP Diao Chan as well?Who is she:Regarded as one of the 4 great beauties of ancient China, Diao Chan is one of the classic examples of the "Beautiful Maiden Ploy 美人计". The willing pawn of Wang Yun 王允 in his grand scheme to destroy the tyrannical Dong Zhuo 董卓, Diao Chan flirted with Lu Bu 吕布 while submitting herself to Dong Zhuo...

Zhōu Yú 周瑜

What's with the cartoon?In the original portrait, Zhou Yu is shown holding the hilt of his sword, seemingly about to draw it out. In this cartoon version, they comically show him being unable to pull out his sword.Who is he:Nicknamed "Zhou Yu the Fair" for his good looks, Zhou Yu was the most famous of all Sun Wu 孙吴's advisors. Both a military general and a strategist, he became Sun Quan 孙权's able right-hand man and was the brains behind the battle...

Sūn Shàng Xiāng 孙尚香

What's with the cartoon?Why is she splitting a Peach?? I have no clue. Perhaps it means to say that she doesn't need peaches no more since she can sleep around with men to heal herself?Who is she:Best remembered as the martial-arts loving wife of Liu Bei 刘备, Sun Shang Xiang is the younger sister of Sun Quan 孙权. Since young she loved martial arts and even has all her maids carry swords wherever they go. She was offered to Liu Bei as his third wife...

Lù Xùn 陆逊

What's with the cartoon?Give this man a Zhuge Crossbow and Lu Xun's ability "One-after-another" gives him the advantage of pulling attack after attack like a machine gun! What better way to cartoonize him than to depict him as Arnold Luxuneger?Who is he:The ultimate Decepticon. An idiom that describes him best would be "don't judge a book by it's cover". For the readers unfamiliar with the story, this geeky, nerdy scholar that looks like he cannot...

Lǚ Méng 吕蒙

What's with the cartoon?A cuter depiction of the original portrait, showing him disguised as the merchant in white... going to a masquerade party?!Who is he:One of the most prominent generals from the Kingdom of Sun Wu 孙吴, Lu Meng started out as a military general with scant knowledge of tactics and strategy. Following his rising appointments in the Wu Kingdom, Sun Quan 孙权 himself advised Lu Meng to read in his spare time. Lu Meng wisely did so and...

Huáng Gài 黄盖

What's with the cartoon?Fancy some S&M action? Huang Gai is shown here as being tied up like a prisoner awaiting torture. It's not really an apt image in my opinion, because he usually tortures himself in the ability!Who is he:The veteran of Wu Kingdom 吴国, Huang Gai served 3 members of the Sun family beginning from Sun Jian 孙坚, then his eldest son Sun Ce 孙策, and finally Sun Quan 孙权. Fiercely loyal, he is best remembered for his sacrificial role...

Gān Níng 甘宁

What's with the cartoon?In China, the word 拆 (chāi) is spray-painted on houses that are designated for demolishing. Since SGS has been around, Gan Ning has been given the nickname 拆迁办主任 (Redevelopment Officer, or the guy in government who demolishes old buildings).Who is he:There is something about Gan Ning I personally admire, and that is the "I don't give a shit about rules and convention" attitude. As a youngster, he was a pirate, looting and...

Dà Qiáo 大乔

What's with the cartoon?Since she can deflect attacks to someone else, Da Qiao would gladly put herself up as a target board to entice you. Who is she:The wife of "The Little Conqueror" Sun Ce 孙策. Da Qiao is a very minor character in the story that has virtually zero air-time. The elder of the "Two Qiao sisters", she is supposedly incredibly beautiful, but a person of few words. She can play the Qin (an ancient stringe instrument) and sing as...

Sūn Quán 孙权

What's with the cartoon?Sun Quan's ability "Balance of power" becomes literal here as the artist gave him two mugs of beer to balance in his arms!Who is he:One of "the Three", Sun Quan is the ruler who ultimately formed the Kingdom of Sun Wu 孙吴. He took over the reigns of ruler from his elder brother, Sun Ce 孙策, at the age of 18 and led the Wu Kingdom till his death at 70 years old. He is the longest serving ruler of the era. Compared to Sun Ce who...

Zhēn Jī 甄姬

What's with the cartoon?Just a cuter version of the thigh-revealing peakaboo that was the original portrait.Who is she:An extremely beautiful woman with smarts and capability, Zhen Ji was Cao Pi 曹丕's first wife. The word 姬 is a title for "lady". Thus her real name is not Zhen Ji, but rather Zhen Luo 甄洛. Her life was a down-hill rollercoaster of misfortune and victimization. She lost her father at the age of 2, was married to Yuan Shao 袁绍's son Yuan...

Zhāng Liáo 张辽

What's with the cartoon?Unfortunately, this is just a cuter version of the original SanGuoSha portait. There does not seem to be any hidden meaning.Who is he:Supposedly one of the top 5 generals of the Kingdom of Cao Wei 曹魏, Zhang Liao did not initially intend to follow under Cao Cao 曹操. In fact, Zhang Liao offered his neck for Cao Cao for beheading rather than choose to surrender. While Zhang Liao was serving Lu Bu 吕布, word had already went around...

Xǔ Chǔ 许褚

What's with the cartoon?Xu Chu's ability is taken to the extreme in this adorable cartoon. Instead of being "Bare-chested", they drew him practically "butt-naked"! This is also because the words 裸衣 for his ability can be taken to mean "stripped of clothing"... and no, they did not mention to what extent he has to strip. Who is he:Long-serving bodyguard of Cao Cao 曹操, Xu Chu was said to be a huge person. His height was about 2 meters and his...

Xià Hóu Dūn 夏侯惇

What's with the cartoon?Why he is peeling petals off a flower, I have no clue. Perhaps it has to do with him losing his eye?? Or is he longing for his fair-lady? There has never seem to be any mention of this though!Who is he:Best remembered for the scene where he lost his eye, Xia Hou Dun is a ferocious combat general with balls of steel and fiery determination. He is one of Cao Cao 曹操's most loyal generals and is supposedly a distant relative....

Sī Mǎ Yì 司马懿

What's with the cartoon?The cartoon is a cute-version of the original portrait in SanGuoSha, where he is seen having the ability to conjure up blue flames... which is of course a complete understatement of his power.Who is he:The cunning. The scheming. The ultimate bad guy. He is the beginning of the end of the Three Kingdoms era. If you have never read Romance of Three Kingdoms, my apologies for the spoiler. We are talking about a man of ambition...

Guō Jiā 郭嘉

What's with the cartoon?Seems like he is conjuring magic of some sort with the Taoist symbols in his hand. Perhaps the image refers to his uncanny predictions??Who is he:It is said that Cao Cao 曹操 would have won the war if Guo Jia had lived longer. In the early days of Cao Cao's expeditions, there were usually more than one advisor by Cao Cao's side, but Guo Jia's analysis of situations and predictions always seemed to be correct. It is a pity that...