Let me just say I created an account on this website to leave a review for this drama that I just finished.
Rich with culture, the struggles of the times, and most of all their inner turmoils while the continent is going through massive change. I come from a family that has suffered under the Japanese Invasion, then subsequently the Communist Red Army Cultural Revolution, and this was a very philosophical drama, for me, that is somewhat based on history and it's players.
For someone that is looking for a tv series that does a good job of depicting history, but with decent drama/love story added into it, this is a good one.
I appreciated this drama for depicting:
- The rich costumes and cultures throughout the series, along with depictions of battles, watching along as each kingdom fell one by one...
- Brief overview of the Six Kingdoms and their states during that era, for example the kingdom of Qin was indeed well managed with strict laws that applied to all, versus other kingdoms.
- The perspectives of the common people of those kingdoms whose only wish is to live in peace
- The perspectives of those representing their kingdoms (royalty and aristocracy) and their unwavering loyalty to preserve their motherland.
- The perspective of the Qin Emperor whose desire is to unite all of China, even despite a massive bloodbath. How difficult it must have been for him to have his underlings (many from those other kingdoms) who serve him on the surface, but deep down is seeking to preserve their motherlands.
- The eternal perspective of strong women who wished they could've been more, if only they were born a man...

Though there were parts where the acting could have been better (I agree the flashbacks are a bit much after a while), and some of the actors you never really feel for, but other strong actors did such an excellent job to carry the drama forward, and finally I was extremely impressed with how they weaved a pretty complex love story into this historically based drama. For those that appreciate culture and history, but would like to see it in Story Mode (you can then go read up the actual history in books or Wikipedia), this is a drama that is worth your time.

Last words... the final episode was epic.