Deception III: Dark Delusion

Deception III: Dark Delusion is a tactical role-playing game released for the PlayStation in 1999, developed and published by Tecmo. It builds on the foundation of its predecessor, Kagero, by adding a training mode, a mission mode, and more detailed trap customization through crests and artifacts.

In the main story, players take control of Reina, a girl who, along with her adoptive family, has been captured and brought to the land of Burgenhagen to be sold as a slave. She uses her trapping abilities to fight off her captors and uncover the secrets of a pendant she wears—a pendant that others seem to want for reasons unknown. The Free Training mode lets players test all traps in a safe environment with an immortal, programmable invader, allowing experimentation without risk. The Expert Mode (also called mission mode) gives the player specific objectives, often with a time limit, using only traps unlocked so far. Example missions include "Crush the invader with a 4-hit combo" or "Make the killing hit a Pendulum trap." A Trap License mode acts as an extended tutorial, teaching game nuances through tasks.

Trap customization is more extensive than in earlier games, using Base Circles (which determine trap type, such as Pendulum or Bear Claw), Orbs (setting power from 1 to 4), Emblems (adding elements like Lightning or Fire), and Rings (offering boosts like increased power or reduced charge time). More modifications consume more "Dreak" (replacing Kagero's Ark), but traps can be used infinitely once created. The loons from Kagero return as the only way to restore hit points. There are no secret traps, but special emblems and rings are unlocked by completing the game’s four endings. Saves take up one block.

Reception was above average, according to GameRankings. NextGen’s Eric Bratcher called it "a creative niche title, worth checking out if you have a strong stomach and want something new." In Japan, Famitsu gave it 31 out of 40. GamePro’s D-Pad Destroyer wrote, "Gamers with a definite dark side should take a look at Dark Delusion... Deception III might just trap you in front of your TV for a long time." Another GamePro review by Four-Eyed Dragon noted, "Deception III's simple premise can become repetitive after a dozen or so missions... those who are new to the series should rent first." The game was nominated for "Best Strategy Game" at the Official U.S. Play