The former being an individual character and RPG-style entry, with the latter being focused on leading a force.
Today, Romance of the Three Kingdoms 10 and Romance of the Three Kingdoms 11 on the PlayStation 2 stand as the two big comparison entries. Or heck, even before that on the PlayStation or Saturn. Like many fans, I've been clinging to the series since its PlayStation 2 days, hoping for something to reach the lofty heights of the games on that platform.