Shogun 2: Total war!

[Spike88]

http://pc.ign.com/articles/109/1093664p1.html



Like its processor, the new game picks up in 16th century Japan during the aftermath of the Onin War. The battles between rival Shoguns have devastated the country and left the capital of Kyoto in ruins. Competing warlords in control of small pockets of power are each striving to obtain the blessing of the central emperor and legitimize their rule of the entire land. The player takes on the role of one of eight of these warlords, each with a unique starting position and different political and military strengths. Some may be located on remote islands that are rich in resources but far from opportunities. Others might be in the thick of the action immediately and able to use unique samurai units to carve out a more secure portion.
:salute:

[Raptor1]

Bloody...

After the excesses of Empire, Shogun 2 is taking a Zen approach. Though the word "accessible" is often code for "plain," in the case of Shogun 2, it's clear that the designers want to maintain a tighter focus on the core elements and not give in to feature creep. The unit roster is a great example of this. Rather than massive roster of units found in Empire, Shogun sticks with just 30-40 basic units (20 or so per faction), each of which has a clear and obvious purpose. This should give the player a chance to focus more on tactics than on the slight variations between similar unit types. If you need to keep an enemy at bay, for instance, you'll know to call on your Ashigaru spearman. To help add a bit of variety, units will upgrade over time.

Does anyone even remember the complete lack of unit variations in Empire?

One particularly novel development is the introduction of hero units. These are warriors who have perfected a fighting art and can carve their way through enemy armies without much trouble at all. Based on mythologized historical figures like the warrior monk Benkei, hero units are a nearly unstoppable force on the battlefield, capable of holding bridge crossings against entire armies, or smashing through a battle line to engage the enemy general. You can counter heroes with the right tactics, such as filling them full of arrows, or by having your own hero units engage them in duels. The development team may even consider letting players use political manipulation to sway heroes away from each other.

...what?!

[Spike88]

...what?!


It doesn't sound that bad too me. Especially if you can turn it off for realistic battles.


Although I totally see it being a Pre-order Bonus. Pre-order here and get Goku ! Everyone else will have to pay for him later.

[stabiz]

I hope Sega is forced to sell CA at some point. Other than that it could be good, even though the constant accessible-choir is turning me towards a life of emo-ness.

[stabiz]

Btw, the teaser trailer was cool as hell!

[Weiss Pinguin]

Bloody...Does anyone even remember the complete lack of unit variations in Empire?
Well, IIRC, (Haven't played shogun in ages), the original didn't exactly have a large roster of troops to choose from. However they were all fairly well balanced and setup in relation to each other.

[Dowly]

Cock (the rooster one) Shogun, give me RTW 2! :stare:

[Spike88]

I have to say I'm highly looking forward to this, for one I'm a big fan of Samurai era Japan. Night battles and 5 level castle sieges sounds awesome.

[Task Force]

Cock (the rooster one) Shogun, give me RTW 2! :stare:

Yea, I hope they do RTW next... I liked rome.

[Oberon]

Hmmm, not sure I like the idea of the Hero units. Still, imagine the mods, as with a lot of games these days, the mods will save them for the grognards amongst us.

Nice trailer though :yeah:

One day...one day I will have a machine to play Empire and Napoleon...one day... :damn:
I'll be able to have multiplayer battles against that flying pig too :yep:

[Raptor1]

Hmmm, not sure I like the idea of the Hero units. Still, imagine the mods, as with a lot of games these days, the mods will save them for the grognards amongst us.


Unless CA pulls the same thing they did with Empire and Napoleon and fail to release mod tools, in which case modding would be pretty rudimentary and never reach the levels that mods for earlier games were.

[Oberon]

Unless CA pulls the same thing they did with Empire and Napoleon and fail to release mod tools, in which case modding would be pretty rudimentary and never reach the levels that mods for earlier games were.


....crap :damn:

[kiwi_2005]

Shogun 1 played on my Pentium 133mhz, 16mb ram, 4mb 3dfx Voodoo PCI gfx card. Computer already had a 4mb generic gfx card can't remember the name, with the voodoo you could SLI them to your original gfx. All up 8mb. Back then my PC was king. :DL

Shogun 2 :rock:

[Spike88]

I'm guessing this game is going to look awesome. Especially since Napoleon and Empire look great themselves.

[NeonSamurai]

I just hope they stick to the core of what made STW so great, and keep the highly immersive aspects of that game (or deepen them). Hero units might be a good thing, as long as they are not absurdly overpowered.

I have to say though I have really grown to despise the preorder and DLC stuff. I don't mind decent addons, but DLC like the infamous Horse Armor from Oblivion annoys me.

[Castout]

Very pleased with the news.

CA don't disappoint us!

[Takeda Shingen]

Hmmm, not sure I like the idea of the Hero units. Still, imagine the mods, as with a lot of games these days, the mods will save them for the grognards amongst us.

Nice trailer though :yeah:

One day...one day I will have a machine to play Empire and Napoleon...one day... :damn:
I'll be able to have multiplayer battles against that flying pig too :yep:

If any of the eras of the Total War series lends itself to 'hero' units, it is the Sengoku period. The samurai tradition was extreemly individualistic, where accomplished samurai would even go so far as to should the names of the warriors they had slain upon entering the battlefield, sort of a resume if you will. The objective was to find a suitable opponent as to ensure that their honor remained intact.

I am also very excited about this news. Shogun was one of those titles that changed the the world of gaming.

[TheSatyr]

I have been waiting for CA to do this for years now.

I don't mind the hero units,since they were in the Shogun "Gold" edition. I just hope they leave out the Geishas this time.

[Spike88]

I never played the first STW, so fill me in on what's wrong with Geishas?

[Dowly]

I never played the first STW, so fill me in on what's wrong with Geishas?

Too much clothing.

[Takeda Shingen]

I never played the first STW, so fill me in on what's wrong with Geishas?

The Geishas were, for all purposes, unkillable assasin units that could only be dealt with by another geisha. Otherwise, they could only fail, not die. All you had to do was build towards the capability to train them and then run around assasinating all rival Daimyos, virtually eliminating the need to fight battles and conquer territory.

This is really great new. Looking forward to once again plain as the Takeda clan. I know, shocking.

[NeonSamurai]

I didn't mind the geisha too much, but then I didn't abuse the heck out of them. More for strategic hits here and there, like taking out generals before an attack.

Though it was rather a-historical, Geisha were not assassins or spies (or prostitutes) though sometimes kunoichi would impersonate them to get close to a target. I would rather have more realistic kunoichi and shinobi/ninja though.

[Weiss Pinguin]

One day...one day I will have a machine to play Empire and Napoleon...one day... :damn:
I'll be able to have multiplayer battles against that flying pig too :yep:
Indeed :haha: One day...

[Takeda Shingen]

Though it was rather a-historical, Geisha were not assassins or spies (or prostitutes) though sometimes kunoichi would impersonate them to get close to a target. I would rather have more realistic kunoichi and shinobi/ninja though.

I agree. I was also bothered by the Kensai and Battlefield Ninja. A-historical and overpowered.

[CaptainHaplo]

As long as they don't nerf my Naginata troops.....

Spearmen? Pfft...

[Weiss Pinguin]

I wonder if they'll include the Mongol Invasion campaign :hmmm:

[Spike88]

Probably as the first expansion.

[NeonSamurai]

I agree. I was also bothered by the Kensai and Battlefield Ninja. A-historical and overpowered.

They did exist though at least, though ninja battlefield units and kensai on the battlefield were very rare. Ninja would appear on the battlefield for assassination/intel missions in disguise though.

Monks were also nasty as all heck, you could field giant armies of them and just plow through the opposition.


I always kind of wished that game could be modded. Never agreed with a lot of the unit stats.

[Oberon]

Mmmmmm....kunoichi...

What, sorry? Kinda lost my train of thought there... :hmmm:

[Spike88]

Talk of the last game(which I never played) has me more hyped for this one. :haha:

Although as I stated earlier I can totally see there being a pre-order bonus of special hero units. I can also see them releasing a "Special" edition with hero units, just like they did with Empire and Napoleon total war.

[iambecomelife]

Unless CA pulls the same thing they did with Empire and Napoleon and fail to release mod tools, in which case modding would be pretty rudimentary and never reach the levels that mods for earlier games were.


I agree. I'm working on an Empire TW mod that's stalled due to lack of modding tools. Some developers seem to be of the opinion that their resources should be jealously guarded, & that that way they can make more money.
Never mind that I (& many others) wouldn't have bought mediocre games like CFS3 if it weren't for the excellent 3rd party additions created by amateurs.

Also, I have little interest in early Asian history & the idea of hero units contradicts the very nature of most warfare (success due to collective action, as opposed to individual heroics). I think I'll pass on this one.

[NeonSamurai]

Hero units (legendary samurai) though do fit in with the history, though teasing apart actual history from legend can be difficult.

[Dowly]

RTW with Europa Barbarorum mod had captains that could rise to be generals and they could be asked to go to Rome for triumph to their honor if they did well. I hope the hero units will be something like that.

[TheSatyr]

Definitely looking forward to letting the Oda clan loose again...heh

[Raptor1]

RTW with Europa Barbarorum mod had captains that could rise to be generals and they could be asked to go to Rome for triumph to their honor if they did well. I hope the hero units will be something like that.

Given the fact that they speak of Hero units being "capable of holding bridge crossings against entire armies" and "smashing through a battle line to engage the enemy general", I think not.

Hero units (legendary samurai) though do fit in with the history, though teasing apart actual history from legend can be difficult.

They might fit with the history, but they do not fit with any semi-realistic depcition of warfare. In a game where the basic size of a unit is over a hundred men, I can hardly see any way to put single-man hero units on the field and have them act in any way that makes sense...

[Arclight]

Ehr, who says it's single-man units? Maybe something more along the lines of Battle of Thermopylae. :hmmm:

* nvm, I bothered reading it again. Yeah, pretty lame to have a single warrior-monk smash his way trough a battle-line. :nope:

[NeonSamurai]

Well there are historical accounts of certain ultra skilled samurai/monks (kensai) doing just that, including holding a bridge against an army single handed, or taking on enemy formations.

Now mind you they could not take on an entire army single handedly, but could make mincemeat out of smaller groups or larger groups in confined spaces (like a small bridge).

I personally don't have much issue with them provided they are not completely over the top. The Kensai from STW expansion were tolerable for example, and I suspect this is what they mean by hero units (maybe named kensai).


Ultimately though I hope this time the game will be modifiable so that units can be properly balanced with realistic stats and abilities

[Spike88]

I think it's important to remember this is from the pre-Alpha version of the game, so Heroes may be drastically changed or even removed by release.

[Arclight]

Well there are historical accounts of certain ultra skilled samurai/monks (kensai) doing just that, including holding a bridge against an army single handed, or taking on enemy formations.

Now mind you they could not take on an entire army single handedly, but could make mincemeat out of smaller groups or larger groups in confined spaces (like a small bridge).

I personally don't have much issue with them provided they are not completely over the top. The Kensai from STW expansion were tolerable for example, and I suspect this is what they mean by hero units (maybe named kensai).


Ultimately though I hope this time the game will be modifiable so that units can be properly balanced with realistic stats and abilities
Aye, makes more sense for them to hold a chokepoint. Seems weird to have this 1 "hero" in the middle of a battle and break through alone, without getting stabbed in the back. No matter how good you are, you can't see a spear headed your way from behind. Not to mention taking down a general and his guard single-handedly; being a general kinda implies having some decent combat-skills, and I doubt he would surround himself with incompetent fighters.

I agree it won't be a problem if they do it right, but it is something that is easily made overpowered or useless, so getting the balance right is going to be tricky.

[Skybird]

Was waiting for a remake of Shogun since long. Hope they focus on the important things and do a good job with the AI. The original i liked very much. If only they would update the 2D graphics with 3D graphics and fix some quirks in the balancing of the original, I already would be willing to buy it.

No experiments, please.

[Deamon]

I also look much forward to this. I haven't had shogun though. How was Ninjutsu handled in shogun ?

[Takeda Shingen]

I also look much forward to this. I haven't had shogun though. How was Ninjutsu handled in shogun ?

Ninjas were exclusively used as assasin units, unless we refer to the battlefield ninjas of the expansions. Espionage units used the shinobi moniker, and functioned like spies in later Total War installments.

[Spike88]

Shogun 2 will focus directly on the daimyo, or clan leaders, like Takeda Shingun or Chosokabe Motochika.

The IGN article spelled Shingen wrong, probably just a typo though.

[Deamon]

Ninjas were exclusively used as assasin units,
Let me guess, as a fairly unsuccessfull assassins ?

Unfortunately no game that deals with the mediaval japan can get this aspect nowhere nearly right.

This aspect is always reduced to assassination that are mostly unsuccessful gambling. In truth, being exceptionally competent, Ninjas were involved into pretty much everything and who didn't had any was doomed to loose. There was a plethora of ryu-ha specialiced in all relevant fields like all sort of special operations, covert actions, guerilla warfare, intelligence gathering/espionage, counter-intelligence, reconnaissance and security services, body guarding, advisory, training of troops, battlefield tactics, fortifications, sciance and so forth. And of course they weren't missing even in conventional engagements.

unless we refer to the battlefield ninjas of the expansions. Espionage units used the shinobi moniker, and functioned like spies in later Total War installments.What was the deal with the battle field Ninjas ?

Are you talking about official expansions or community mods ?

Anyway i always wanted an epic japan simulator. I loved Lords of the Rising Sun, back then on the amiga :)

[Deamon]

The IGN article spelled Shingen wrong, probably just a typo though.
Yeah and they are obligated now to commit seppuku. :D

[Weiss Pinguin]

Let me guess, as a fairly unsuccessfull assassins ?
Well, at first, but as they killed more targets they got better; An experienced ninja could be very hard to stop. (and a PITA if it's not yours)

[Deamon]

Well, at first, but as they killed more targets they got better; An experienced ninja could be very hard to stop. (and a PITA if it's not yours)
Hmm, i like this idea the more i think about it!

Sounds like a reasonable way to ballance the game. Actually that is how it was, most would die before they could become a real master. A pitty that the mission spectrum is so small.

I am wondering how much control do you have over the actions ? Is there any way to estimate how difficult an operation will be for a given operative ?

And are they used in a solitary fashion or can you determine how many you assign to a task and that way also influence the risk and quality of the operation ?

[Spike88]

Hmm, i like this idea the more i think about it!

Sounds like a reasonable way to ballance the game. Actually that is how it was, most would die before they could become a real master. A pitty that the mission spectrum is so small.

I am wondering how much control do you have over the actions ? Is there any way to estimate how difficult an operation will be for a given operative ?

And are they used in a solitary fashion or can you determine how many you assign to a task and that way also influence the risk and quality of the operation ?


If they are like the Assassins and Spies from the other Total War games, their chance of success is shown before you give the go ahead for the command. Ranging from 1 to 100%, it's pretty much of a die roll for anything under 100%.

As for the other question only one can partake in a mission at a time.

[Deamon]

If they are like the Assassins and Spies from the other Total War games, their chance of success is shown before you give the go ahead for the command. Ranging from 1 to 100%, it's pretty much of a die roll for anything under 100%.

As for the other question only one can partake in a mission at a time.
Thanks Spike.

How can losses among ninjas be replaced ? Can you train recruits in ninjutsu like you would do with the samurai ?

[Spike88]

If it's like the other games, you need to have the building to recruit them and then you'll just pay a sum of money to buy new ones.

And then wait the amount of turns necessary for them to be "trained".

[Arclight]

In Empire they spawn randomly untill you hit your max for that type.

[Weiss Pinguin]

If they are like the Assassins and Spies from the other Total War games, their chance of success is shown before you give the go ahead for the command. Ranging from 1 to 100%, it's pretty much of a die roll for anything under 100%.

As for the other question only one can partake in a mission at a time.
Also they only get one action per turn, even if they fail a task.

[Spike88]

In Empire they spawn randomly untill you hit your max for that type.

I forgot this, although STW2 will most likely be more like M2TW and RTW where you choose to spawn them.

[Arclight]

Right, figured I'd post more highlights in E3 thread to recap, but this is just to good to hold on to:

Shogun 2 Total War: The Difference A Decade Makes (http://kotaku.com/5567555/shogun-2-total-war-the-difference-a-decade-makes)

This one might actually make me upgrade my graphics-card.

[Castout]

Where's the reduced visibility in rain the rain drops are too long. Make it shorter and a lot more and reduce the visibility too. Rain drops visibility. and give me that noisy rain sound effect that swamps over any other voices and battle effects and don't forget about the lightning and thunder!!!

Is it possible to add tsunami or twister? Give us severable limbs too and while at it why don't give us flying ninja as well as scud missiles, James Bond and kiwi fruit ...and remember no compromises there were no compromises either in 16th century Japan so I'd expect harakiri for every SEGA executive and CA staff to rip their belly if they flunk us . . .and I mean it . . .LOL

In the end I hope it gets sold here :nope:...I still don't have Napoleon. What's wrong with you Software Boutique and come to think that they are the only genuine game seller. :damn:

[HunterICX]

This one might actually make me upgrade my graphics-card.

That's a new CPU, more Memory and a new GPU for me so probally a whole new system :doh:

damn, it looks nice thought but I do hope they don't sacrifice the gameplay for it. (which I fear it most likely does)

HunterICX

[TheSatyr]

I understand that Stephen Turnbull is involved with Shogun 2. (For those who don't know,Turnbull is possibly the biggest Western expert on that phase of Japanese History). So I expect a fairly historical game,along with having the right "feel" to it. With him involved,I doubt CE will mess it up.

Incidentally,Turnbull was also involved with the original Shogun.

[Task Force]

That's a new CPU, more Memory and a new GPU for me so probally a whole new system :doh:

damn, it looks nice thought but I do hope they don't sacrifice the gameplay for it. (which I fear it most likely does)

HunterICX

Yea... I got most of it covered but probably the CPU will have to go.:shifty: (guess ill need it for SOW BOB anyways)

[Takeda Shingen]

I understand that Stephen Turnbull is involved with Shogun 2. (For those who don't know,Turnbull is possibly the biggest Western expert on that phase of Japanese History). So I expect a fairly historical game,along with having the right "feel" to it. With him involved,I doubt CE will mess it up.

Incidentally,Turnbull was also involved with the original Shogun.

That's good news. Shogun's ambience was remarkable, and something that was just not captured in any of the succesive titles.

[Arclight]

I'm pretty sure they'll capture it again. The article I linked previously at least seems to indicate as much.

If someone who is not a fan of these games ends up intrigued, they must be doing smething right. ;)
Where's the reduced visibility in rain the rain drops are too long. Make it shorter and a lot more and reduce the visibility too. Rain drops visibility. and give me that noisy rain sound effect that swamps over any other voices and battle effects and don't forget about the lightning and thunder!!!

Is it possible to add tsunami or twister? Give us severable limbs too and while at it why don't give us flying ninja as well as scud missiles, James Bond and kiwi fruit ...and remember no compromises there were no compromises either in 16th century Japan so I'd expect harakiri for every SEGA executive and CA staff to rip their belly if they flunk us . . .and I mean it . . .LOL
The game is pre-alpha. Don't know what to make of yer second paragraph. :doh:

[CaptainHaplo]

As one of those who got hooked on the first Shogun way early.... I have but one question....

Is it out YET?????

*yes - I know - SOON (tm)*

[Kissaki]

If any of the eras of the Total War series lends itself to 'hero' units, it is the Sengoku period. The samurai tradition was extreemly individualistic, where accomplished samurai would even go so far as to should the names of the warriors they had slain upon entering the battlefield, sort of a resume if you will. The objective was to find a suitable opponent as to ensure that their honor remained intact.
This is the sort of ritualistic combat that was common enough during the Genpei war and earlier, but after the Mongol invasions they simply weren't doing it anymore. In Muromachi warfare evolved toward pike formations, and even samurai learned to tow the line during that time. But samurai retained the desire for glory, and the concept of "one against the thousand" was something pretty much every bushi daydreamed about. But this was also true for virtually every warrior in the world's history, and most (including samurai) had the common sense or sense of self preservation not to attempt such. Samurai were an impetuous bunch, though, and much like the European knight could be a handful to command.

[Takeda Shingen]

This is the sort of ritualistic combat that was common enough during the Genpei war and earlier, but after the Mongol invasions they simply weren't doing it anymore. In Muromachi warfare evolved toward pike formations, and even samurai learned to tow the line during that time. But samurai retained the desire for glory, and the concept of "one against the thousand" was something pretty much every bushi daydreamed about. But this was also true for virtually every warrior in the world's history, and most (including samurai) had the common sense or sense of self preservation not to attempt such. Samurai were an impetuous bunch, though, and much like the European knight could be a handful to command.

While what you have written was no doubt true of the rank-and-file of the samurai extending back as far as the Hogen Incident, the fact remains that the elite of the samurai continued in their ritualized combat traditions up until Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. The most famous of these kensei, Miyamoto Mushashi, wrote his great treatise, The Book of Five Rings, in 1643, some 70 years after the the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, thus illustrating that the traditions were still well alive at that time.

[Kissaki]

While what you have written was no doubt true of the rank-and-file of the samurai extending back as far as the Hogen Incident, the fact remains that the elite of the samurai continued in their ritualized combat traditions up until Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. The most famous of these kensei, Miyamoto Mushashi, wrote his great treatise, The Book of Five Rings, in 1643, some 70 years after the the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, thus illustrating that the traditions were still well alive at that time.
The peace in Edo changed samurai's mentality a great deal. Now that the age of warring states was over, war became more and more romanticized, and old ideals were ressurected. Armour made in Edo frequently tried to look like older armours, modelled after fashions dating as far back as Heian. Looks, rather than practicality, was emphasized. Though later in Edo some armourers lamented this trend, and started making practical armours.

Bushido also got a work-over. Much more focus was placed on it than in Sengoku, where the word hadn't actually been used all that much (Bushido was definitely an integral part of the samurai ideal, but the word itself wasn't thrown about very often). Now, in Edo, it was ever more present in the minds of samurai. Still nowhere near as much as in WWII, however, when the Japanese went positively bananas with the concept, and it was bushido this, bushido that. The Hagakure was hailed as a great ideal, though Yamamoto Tsunetomo had himself been viewed as something of a fanatic among his contemporaries.

As for the Book of Five Rings, I may be mistaken but I do not recall mention of ritual combat as being a contemporary practice. And it is indeed quite the opposite of how Musashi conducted his duels, as his way of duelling was by most samurai at the time considered as rather unsavoury.

But certainly, exceptionally skilled samurai would occasionally seek a worthy kill on the battlefields even in Sengoku - but it was the exception, not the rule.

[Takeda Shingen]

But certainly, exceptionally skilled samurai would occasionally seek a worthy kill on the battlefields even in Sengoku - but it was the exception, not the rule.

Which is in line with what I had originally said, and brings us back to why I said it: That the implementation of expensive 'hero' units would not entirely exclude historical reality, being that they are expensive, and thusly, rare.

[Officerpuppy]

I've read that it seems there will be no mod support for STW2 :nope:

[onelifecrisis]

I have to say though I have really grown to despise the preorder and DLC stuff. I don't mind decent addons, but DLC like the infamous Horse Armor from Oblivion annoys me.

Not to drag things too far off topic, but I'm curious to know why the horse armor was annoying/infamous. I didn't buy it - was it buggy or something?

[Raptor1]

Not to drag things too far off topic, but I'm curious to know why the horse armor was annoying/infamous. I didn't buy it - was it buggy or something?

It was utterly useless, and you had to pay for it...

[HunterICX]

I've read that it seems there will be no mod support for STW2 :nope:

That doesn't worry me, there hasn't been decent mod support for ETW & NTW anyway.

CA & SEGA are doing well pounding the support of the games to a minimum.

if they screw up STW2 it will most likely be the last TW game I buy.

HunterICX

[Crécy]

Looking definitely forward to this one. I would have preferred Rome 2, though. Rome total war was my first touch to total war series and so far it has been the best TW game. I've spent countless hours on and I would propably play it still if one of the three disk had broken :(. I'm a little worried that Shogun 2 will not have mod support as it was the mods that keeped me playing Rome so much.

[NeonSamurai]

Not to drag things too far off topic, but I'm curious to know why the horse armor was annoying/infamous. I didn't buy it - was it buggy or something?

As was said, it was useless, and overpriced. Main thing I don't like with DLC is it costs too much for what you generally get out of it when compared to the full game. Also most of this DLC content is already made before the game is even released. It's just the companies nickel and dimeing everyone.

[Spike88]

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-gameplay-shogun-2/702267

First video showing the ingame engine. :up:

[TheSatyr]

Let's see now. I've read the novel "Taiko" plus some Stephen Turnbull books and I've watched a few Kurusawa films...I'm readyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy...lol

[HunterICX]

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-gameplay-shogun-2/702267

*faints*

:o

HunterICX

[Crécy]

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-gameplay-shogun-2/702267


:o:o:o

:rock::rock::rock::rock::rock::rock:

[oche]

Cross your fingers and let the CA work and take all the time they need...we don't want no buggy release and even more if it's a non mod friendly game.

[Dowly]

Making it unmoddable will be a big mistake, RTW is still kicking strong solely because of mods. :hmmm: ETW got away with it because there isn't any other "known" game like that.

[Raptor1]

Making it unmoddable will be a big mistake, RTW is still kicking strong solely because of mods. :hmmm: ETW got away with it because there isn't any other "known" game like that.

There is Imperial Glory, but I'd take ETW over that even without mods.

Lack of modding will almost certainly mean the difference between a good game and a bad game for this one, I'd say...

[Dowly]

There is Imperial Glory, but I'd take ETW over that even without mods.

Yes, there is IG, but it was never marketed as widely as ETW was. :hmmm:

[Iron Budokan]

Shogun Total War was by far my favorite. I am really looking forward to this new release. :)

[Arclight]

Some first impressions: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/02/10/hands-on-with-total-war-shogun-2/

[Takeda Shingen]

Awesome. Glad to see the series going back to it's roots.

[Falkirion]

Good. Looks like I'll actually be able to understand this one without much trouble.

Empire on the other hand is a completely different beast that's both very interesting and a bit punishing if you dont know how to work things.

[surf_ten]

I love the total war's concept of turn base strategy with real time battle tactics. Truly, a brilliant concept, but plague a push over AI.


I really hope the AI can put a challenge in this version. I loved the TW:SG but I would fight battles where I would lose 30 or less troops despite killing or capturing hundreds of AI opponent. High ground or bridge battles would always end badly for the AI. Vanilla Medieval 1 and Medieval 2 had the same easily exploitable tricks.

[Arclight]

Don't think an AI is ever going to match a human oponent. Not anytime soon and not in a desktop videogame, anyway. ;)

At least the AI seemed more capable of dealing with the bow-and-sword gameplay of the titles before Empire, so in that regard it's probably a good thing they decided to return to Shogun. And it does call for a pretty decent CPU (hell, very decent CPU), so i'd say there's definetly more going on under the hood.

[Arclight]

Oooh, Steam has an exclusive trailer. Rather nice one at that.

Though I'm sure some enterprising soul has uploaded it somewhere already. *cough (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7oRb6Skyj0)*

[Egan]

Looking definitely forward to this one. I would have preferred Rome 2, though. Rome total war was my first touch to total war series and so far it has been the best TW game. I've spent countless hours on and I would propably play it still if one of the three disk had broken :(. I'm a little worried that Shogun 2 will not have mod support as it was the mods that keeped me playing Rome so much.

I played M:TW and R:TW to death. I loved Rome - one of my favourite games ever I think. Thing was, I just couldn't get into any of the other games in the series afterwards but I'd buy Rome 2 in a heartbeat.

There were great mods for Rome but the thing that I enjoyed most about it was the music. The music was brilliant.

[surf_ten]

I played M:TW and R:TW to death. I loved Rome - one of my favourite games ever I think. Thing was, I just couldn't get into any of the other games in the series afterwards but I'd buy Rome 2 in a heartbeat.

There were great mods for Rome but the thing that I enjoyed most about it was the music. The music was brilliant.

For some reason the Roman era and the Empire era does not interest me as much a the European Medieval period and the Japanese history.

I think the music in all the total war series is exceptionally done. I really loved the medieval songs with the dramatic chorus. It was like I was about to unleash God's wrath upon my forsaken enemies.

I just watched the steam trailer for new Shogun 2. They have done a great job marketing this game. If the game is released in a relatively bug free state I'll definitely add this one to my games collection.

[Arclight]

PC Gamer did a review on it already, will have to wait a bit to see it though.

Why did it get that score and the Editor’s Choice award? Try improved AI that attacks from the sea and uses terrain to its advantage, an online clan system with excellent matchmaking that encourages teamworks between allies, and the artful realisation of the Sengoku period. We say that “Shogun 2 is the Total War series back on form,” and that it “boasts the most outrageous hats in martial history.
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/02/11/first-total-war-shogun-2-review-scores-92-and-scoops-editors-choice-award-in-pc-gamer/

[stabiz]

Hehe, I am noticing my age is getting so high that hype does not affect me as much anymore. We`ll see, definately not preordering anything from Creative Assembly anymore.

[Arclight]

Same, got burned on Empire, skipped Napoleon. Don't think it's nescesarily a matter of age. ;)

[Takeda Shingen]

Yeah, I'm going to wait and see as well. The original Shogun is a gaming classic, so the sequel has a lot to live up to.

[CCIP]

I personally don't particularly mind era preferences - I can enjoy a game set in any period, provided the game itself is a good historical and mechanical representation.

Shogun is definitely a classic - a flawed classic to be sure, and I don't think the AI or gameplay-vs-realism design decisions there are worth idolizing by any means, but... it got things mostly right, and it was a bloody good game. For me personally, the original M:TW was a high point in the series, although R:TW with mods far outshines it. It's definitely been a bit downhill since then...

Unless a big outpouring of praise comes from the community about this title in the next little while, I will definitely be waiting a while before picking it up.

[TteFAboB]

I shall wait as well!

...

Because I can't fit a better CPU in this MOBO (LGA775)... :dead:

If only Win-DRM-dows didn't require re-installation after a MOBO upgrade... but I'm not re-installing everything because of one game. I'll wait until there's two, or three, or maybe five good games requiring a better CPU. And then I'll build a new PC from scratch, because I'm still not re-installing stuff on this one! Too much stuff, too much hassle. This silicon dude is destined to remain where it is for the foreseeable future. And he'll be there for me, always, even though he didn't made into Toystory 3.

Really, I can upgrade anything: monitor, add an HDD, swap the RAM, play juggling with video cards, change the CD/DVD/DoomsdayLaser drives, add USB, remove USB, but to change a motherboard? OOOOOOOOOOOhhh nooooo, sir, no, no, no, no, no, don't even go there: motherboard is TABOOOOOO! YOU SHALL NOT TOUCH A MOTHERBOARD! TREAT YOUR MOTHER RIGHT! TREAT HER RIGHT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_rBidCkJxo)!
:woot:

Meanwhile, back to Minecraft, men, back to Dwarf Fortress, and let's get those cities in motion! And spam the forum! :arrgh!:

On topic: it seems Shogun 2 might be the best of the newer Total War games, but from the Rock, Paper, Shotgun hands-on it appears sieges still suck and feel unnatural and finnicky. Empire destroyed sieges, and it seems Creative Assembly hasn't yet recovered.

Sieges were best in R:TW and M2:TW. They weren't excellent by any means, but it worked.

[Falkirion]

And in some good news. There's a demo out Feb 22 before its March 15 release.
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/02/try-total-war-shogun-2-before-you-buy/

[stabiz]

Good news indeed! Now I can base my opinion on my own massive brain. :)

[Spike88]

I don't like the look of the Siege battles. Apparently troops can scale the walls at any point, so it seems that defending a certain area is pointless, and looks like the attacks will always win. Although I'll have to be sure and try it out myself first.


In another note, I'm clearing room on my HDD for NTW, since I didn't ever really play it(not as much as ETW).

I'm also installing RTW because I just saw "The Eagle" (great movie, if I say so myself) and it's put me in the mood to lead some legionnaires.

[Crécy]

I'm also installing RTW because I just saw "The Eagle" (great movie, if I say so myself) and it's put me in the mood to lead some legionnaires.

If you desire to lead legionnaires you definitely should get Roma Surrectum 2 (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=251)

Shogun demo? Excellent :up:

[Arclight]

They released a trailer showcasing the MP options: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/02/17/shogun-2-the-multiplayer-options-footaging/

[elanaiba]

Does anyone know if there's any changes to how unit detection / LOS works in battles?

I've always been disappointed that units are always visible to the enemy (player or AI) as long as they are moving, no matter what obstacles (buildings, hills, etc) should hide them.

[Arclight]

I don't know, but there's a demo out later today, so you can see for yourself. ;)

[Crécy]

5pm GMT to be exact.

[Spike88]

My demo just completed downloading. Time to test her out.

[stabiz]

My review: meh.

[Spike88]

My review: meh.
Care to elaborate?

[stabiz]

I dont know, it just bored me after a very short time. I dont like the way they have taken the artwork with TW games, too happy and colourful. As for the gameplay this one is as far as I can tell more of the same (no matter how many times they quote Sun Tzu and tell you to "utilize the Art of War", its still basically the same tactical options), with not very impressive graphics at all. Even a downgrade from Napoleon in the visual department? Its impossible to comment on the AI, since its all scipted in the demo, but one of the core elements of total war - the battles - are too cartoony and badly needs som R rating.

Nice music and loading screens. :) I dont know, maybe I am just tired of the formula. Not a day 1 purchase, thats for sure.

[Spike88]

I guess for people who've been playing TW for a while it does get a tad repetitive. I consider myself a newby to the TW series(despite owning RTW, M2TW, ETW, and NTW). Most time I spent in any TW game is a measly 53 hours. So the premise is still fresh(ish) to me.

I personally liked it and found that the graphics weren't bad. Loads of jagged edges, but it is a 5gig demo for a game that will most likely be 20gigs in size.

Can't say I really cared for the scripted battles, but I did like the neat touches I saw. Such as riderless horses after a battle between my Yari Spearmen and the enemies cavalry. Or wounded laying on the ground after my Yari attacked another group of Yari.

In total I like the artwork, and atmosphere and while it may be quite colorful it does suit the time period.

I also like the new interface in conquest mode(forget what it's called). It actually shows how much money you will make next turn without having to go through menus.



The only thing I don't really care for is the fact that the fire arrows are a fire once, wait for it to recharge, fire again type deal.

I'm not sure how I feel about the leveling aspect to the characters.


Edit: Also I liked the new group ability thing.

And I apologize in ahead if this post is a mess to read. I'm half asleep and slightly drugged(legally), and I don't feel like reading through it to see if it makes sense.

[Castout]

Thanks Spike I'll be getting it along with couple other titles. I'm rather obsessed with anything samurai. I fancy their armors specifically and of course their swords.

[TteFAboB]

The demo has left me undecided.

Many new features are good, overall the game feels more like Shogun 1, which is good, since that was the best game of the series IMO, but I'm still not convinced battles are improved.

Surely they are far better than Empire's, which doesn't say much, since Empire is the lowest and worst moment in the series IMO.

Eye-candy and accessory features are great, but the core of this game are the battles, that's what I'll be coming after to play time and again.

They are good, but a little clunky. I can't make up my mind if it's worth the pre-order or wait for price drop+expansion.

[Spike88]

I forgot to mention winter attrition.

I don't know how it works, as I didn't get to read the message in the tutorial, but troops suffer winter attrition if they're in enemy territory and spend a turn in the winter.

[stabiz]

Thats in Napoleon too.

[Spike88]

Thats in Napoleon too.


Oh. Whoops. :haha:

I've only put 3 hours into Napoleon. And about 2:30 of that was online.

[mr chris]

Anyone got any pictures from the demo?

[Castout]

Youtube is a great source

Naval battle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfNoOFUx5-I

Assassination movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhB1qnFm-Bw


Duel movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfviAcCeMxY


Sekigahara

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpicfYXXSs0


Pre alpha game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClfAWjNZBnY&feature=related

Demo in game video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2QsHMipG1c

[mr chris]

Thanks.

[the_tyrant]

Shogun TW(gold edition) along with red alert 2 was the two first games that i seriously played
I got myself a 2000 dollar computer(and countless hours researching computer parts and putting it together) just for this game

I sure hope this game does not disappoint me

back in 1 in used to create armies full of Kensai with battlefield ninjas as ranged support

all, the good times:DL

[Castout]

Thanks.

No problem

Shogun TW(gold edition) along with red alert 2 was the two first games that i seriously played
I got myself a 2000 dollar computer(and countless hours researching computer parts and putting it together) just for this game

I sure hope this game does not disappoint me

back in 1 in used to create armies full of Kensai with battlefield ninjas as ranged support

all, the good times:DL

Umm after seeing Shogun 2 Total War, I decided to drop my order of the other game and picked several Japanese movie classics in its place. Well I can always get the other game here locally but not Shogun 2 Total War.

The movies are
Ran and Kagemusha, the two final epic from Akira Kurosawa
and Zatoichi the latest 2003 version. I've watched Ran and Zatoichi from youtube and like them a lot.

I'd buy Lone wolf and a cub(or its westernized title: Shogun Assassin) but they were only available in Japanese without English subtitle and cost 50 bucks. I'm not buying any 50 bucks single movie unless it's an excellent tv series or documentary with excellent footage or have a running time of over 3 hours. :hmmm:

For Shogun fan in this forum watch this video it will remind you of Shogun Total War for old time sake:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg6Dvmu4EYA

[CaptainHaplo]

Naginata and Yari Cav....

Never faced any other set of opponents that the combo couldn't take. Lock their facing with the approaching N's, then hit the rear with cav. Unlike yari infantry, archers were nearly useless against N's unless they were massed. Muskets were almost as useless, was rare to break a group just from range. With slow tanks bearing down, you had to pick your poison.. face the cav and get slaughtered, or face the N's and get your morale broken from a cav charge....

[Castout]

I'll be buying GTX 560 Ti and a new PSU for Shogun

and save for an i7 core couple months in the future. I will be postponing any other new game buy such as Dragon Age 2.

All for Shogun 2 Total War.:yep:

I don't play or care about too many games but those few which I play I'm rather fanatical about nothing obsessive in game time but quite fanatical in liking.

[Castout]

I can't get limited edition from Asia. I'll have to settle with the standard edition then.

It's an irony that though with its Samurai theme Japan is not considered a major market for the game at all or even Asia in general.

[the_tyrant]

I can't get limited edition from Asia. I'll have to settle with the standard edition then.

It's an irony that though with its Samurai theme Japan is not considered a major market for the game at all or even Asia in general.

I have a friend from Japan who says that Shogun total war was quite off the mark
It sold poorly in japan

Konami has a more mature game of that time period

[Spike88]

Looks like I'm going to buy the physical version of this game, as the Steam download does not come with the bonus stuff.

Which is a bit screwy, as after I install the game I'll have to use steam anyways to play. :doh:


I can't even remember the last hard copy of a PC game I bought...

[Castout]

I have a friend from Japan who says that Shogun total war was quite off the mark
It sold poorly in japan

Konami has a more mature game of that time period

Konami always makes arcadish game. I really doubt Konami has built anything even close to Shogun 2 Total War.

Of course Japanese being familiar with Sengoku history will probably demand an accurate representation of such game which will not happen due to its complexity and time required and hardware limitation. But the funny thing most Japanese play console games than PC games. And console games mostly are arcadish.

I've tried the demo. I like it but still feel it lacks the original Shogun soul in it. Perhaps the soundtrack is not as daring. Some ninja actions are without video too!

[Castout]

Looks like I'm going to buy the physical version of this game, as the Steam download does not come with the bonus stuff.

Which is a bit screwy, as after I install the game I'll have to use steam anyways to play. :doh:


I can't even remember the last hard copy of a PC game I bought...

It's an advantage as it means you'll probably never lose your copy due to broken or lost disc.

It's much easier to find online match as well

[the_tyrant]

Konami always makes arcadish game. I really doubt Konami has built anything even close to Shogun 2 Total War.



Not konami, my bad
i meant Koei
this game:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobunaga's_Ambition
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3e/Nobunagas_ambition_gen.jpg/256px-Nobunagas_ambition_gen.jpg

Note that its also released by sega

[Castout]

Same thing sad how it has become I used to enjoy Nobunaga's ambition on CGA PC in the 1990s.

I've noticed that Japanese like to exaggerate things and they tend to exaggerate characters fiction or historical.

The same thing happens with the Chinese as their movies suggest. Exaggeration of character feats even historical ones. I mean why can't they view historical figures as just a human being instead a super human. Now Chinese movies often lack the humanity needed to portray their character as a human being instead the typical super human one man army.

I can guess the reasons to all these tendencies. I believe they are ashamed of their recent or modern history and hence making blown out exaggeration and dramatization of their glorious middle age history. A period which they take pride in. Just a guess though but if true that would mean they have a relatively low self esteem in today's time they are uncomfortable with themselves and their current state of civilization and look favorably into the fantasy super human world that their movies suggest as an escape to the not so sweet reality they have to deal with everyday. It means in short that they are unhappy people generally.

But a few notable Japanese movies seem to suggest otherwise though that they are sensitive to the more humane side of a character as shown in Twilight samurai, Zatoichi and the Hidden Blade. But Zatoichi is a classic. Older movies have more humanity in them. Today's movies are so out of touch with reality in terms of character mostly for being shallow and weakly portrayed and thus making the audience not able most of the time to relate to the characters in it even Hollywood seem to be plagued with this. All fanciful hack and whack without character strength even when they try to make it to the contrary but it all feels fake in the end. Fake, too much simplified and shallow.

Try watching Ran from Akira Kurowasa which is adapted from Shakespeare's King's Lear and it will shake you to your foundation. The message is strong, the portrayal believable even when its being dramatic and it will make a lasting impression on you instead a 20 minute one.

[Spike88]

It's an advantage as it means you'll probably never lose your copy due to broken or lost disc.

It's much easier to find online match as well


I know, I'm rather fond of steam, 90% of my PC game purchases throughout the last 3 years have been via steam.

It's just aggravating that I have to go out and buy the disk version just to get the special items, even though the game will require steam.

[Castout]

I know, I'm rather fond of steam, 90% of my PC game purchases throughout the last 3 years have been via steam.

It's just aggravating that I have to go out and buy the disk version just to get the special items, even though the game will require steam.

Umm it will install much faster, the next time too! :DL

I really like the armor in Shogun 2 so bad ass. My only complain is the music. Shogun 1 had better music.

[the_tyrant]

I've noticed that Japanese like to exaggerate things and they tend to exaggerate characters fiction or historical.

this:yep:

Is it just me, or or you think that Japanese games focus too much on Character development?

In most of the Koei games, the armies were less important than the general. Troop types were "rock paper scissors" like, and it didn't matter, as long if you had a good general

Total war probably lacks in this regard. The generals in Shopun 1 had only stars to differentiate between skill. The ones in Medieval 2 were more "3d" but still lacking compared to the ones in the later installments of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Nobunaga's Ambition

Other than this, I really can't see why Shogun wouldn't be hugely popular in Japan.

Also, thanks for recommending the movies

[Castout]

this:yep:

Is it just me, or or you think that Japanese games focus too much on Character development?

In most of the Koei games, the armies were less important than the general. Troop types were "rock paper scissors" like, and it didn't matter, as long if you had a good general

Total war probably lacks in this regard. The generals in Shopun 1 had only stars to differentiate between skill. The ones in Medieval 2 were more "3d" but still lacking compared to the ones in the later installments of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Nobunaga's Ambition

Other than this, I really can't see why Shogun wouldn't be hugely popular in Japan.

Also, thanks for recommending the movies

I'm not the only one with that conclusion. In Japanese games the generals could charge electric powers or what looked like it. Just like electric eel :O:

It's not only arcadish but outright ridiculous to merge fantasy and historical theme imo

Speaking of good samurai movies, Ran is good, Zatoichi is also good imo. Shogun assassin or lone wolf and a cub is also good. All of them are Japanese classics or classics remake.

I bought Ran and Kagemusha both from Akira Kurosawa and Zatoichi (2003 version) along with Shogun 2 copy. Not sure about Kagemusha but it's Kurosawa's work and a faithful portrayal of historic events during the immediate two year after Takeda Shingen death and one of his two epic movies so I took my chance. Akira Kurosawa is like the George Lucas of Japan or Steven Spielberg of Japan.

[the_tyrant]

Thanks for the recommendations, Looking for them now

[Castout]

The Shogun demo in game battle music seems to be lacking the critical drums.
Perhaps they want to build a zen like atmosphere but really in battle you should hear drums and more drums! :DL


Like this,



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUI_q1zeioo&feature=related

Not the best recording quality but
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLldAZBJHAc

[Castout]

Some screenshots from the demo Sanuki's battle. Click view entire album to see them all. Nothing extraordinary just to view some of the available units.

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198009068164/screenshot/578916639698437534?tab=public
[/URL][url]http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198009068164/screenshot/578916639698456465/?tab=public (http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198009068164/screenshot/578916639698437534/?tab=public)
http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198009068164/screenshot/578916639698453948/?tab=public

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198009068164/screenshot/578916639698440194/?tab=public



http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198009068164/screenshot/578916639698444644/?tab=public

[Arclight]

^ direct images not showing up for me. :hmmm:

Turns out the demo has the complete(?) in-game encyclopedia thingy. Can find just about everything in there. I get the impression they really did improve the game, at least in gameplay concepts. We'll have to see how the campaign AI turns out though.

http://steamcommunity.com/id/ARConSteam/screenshot/558650441372639631/?tab=public

[Castout]

Hey I'm unable to view the encyclopedia. They will be just all black in my demo :hmmm:

[Arclight]

Graphics bug perhaps? :06:

[Oberon]

Taiko drums are awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iarfBcGtZFg
It may come from a terrible film but the soundtrack for the Japanese was just epic. The taiko drums make this piece. :up:

[joegrundman]

The Hunted is a B++ movie set in modern day Japan with Christopher Lambert and John Lone and some decent Taiko music

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113360/

[Spike88]

^ direct images not showing up for me. :hmmm:

Turns out the demo has the complete(?) in-game encyclopedia thingy. Can find just about everything in there. I get the impression they really did improve the game, at least in gameplay concepts. We'll have to see how the campaign AI turns out though.

http://steamcommunity.com/id/ARConSteam/screenshot/558650441372639631/?tab=public


Damnit Arc, my hype for the game was low until I read the entries you posted. Will have to get online and read through the full encyclopedia.

[Oberon]

The Hunted is a B++ movie set in modern day Japan with Christopher Lambert and John Lone and some decent Taiko music

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113360/

Indeed it does. :yeah:

And a good fight scene on the Shinkansen. :yep:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjmBGgEkFpg
(Bloody)

The girl on the bad side has a nice Daishó arrangement. :up:

[Arclight]

Damnit Arc, my hype for the game was low until I read the entries you posted. Will have to get online and read through the full encyclopedia.
It kinda fills me with hope, swung me back around a little to a more positive attitude. Mechanics look good from what I can glimpse from there, but in the end the experience is really determined by the AI. Life-long allies backstabbing for no reason, armies marching back and forth aimlessly, etc; bad AI would just ruin it.

Especially agents seem far more usefull (few more types, few more actions). And that attention to detail, fleshing out features just a little further, that's the positive impression I get from reading the entries.


Also, in case there was still doubt, those hero units they talked about are the same thing as in the other games: exceptionally skilled but smaller elite units. They're listed in the S2:TW-pedia too. :)

(Unless they throw a curve ball and have single-man super-hero units, but I kinda doubt that. Never know though.)

[Castout]

Graphics bug perhaps? :06:


Umm it was my security system. It's fixed now :DL

[Arclight]

Goody. Get a much better impression of the game reading that than actually playing the demo imho.

[Castout]

I've changed my paid order to get the limited Edition. It has just been listed on Play Asia and it's cheaper than the US standard edition.

[Crécy]

Strageyinformer review (http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/shogun2totalwar/reviews.html)

Only complains seem to be random CTD's.

One finnish site reviewed Shogun and they complained about uneven AI (AI acts a bit wacky from time to time but occasionally performs quite well)

[Arclight]

Here be another one: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/03/11/wot-i-think-total-war-shogun-2/

Sooo tempting...

[Crécy]

Here be another one: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/03/11/wot-i-think-total-war-shogun-2/

*cursor moves toward 'pre-order' button*

[Arclight]

BANZAAAI!

*click*

Ha, gotcha. That was the right mouse button. :O:


Right, so... reviews are positive, particularly it seems the AI is not disapointing, though I'd still like to know how diplomacy works and whether or not long time allies will still backstab you, even if it means their demise.

And then I have the option to grab the limited edition for 40,-. Normally the standard edition goes for 50,-. Pretty sweet pre-order deal...

Think I'll wait till 14th. Nothing negative pops up, grab the pre-order then. :hmmm:

[Crécy]

40 minutes of Shogun 2 gameplay videos (http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/features/59468/Total-War-Shogun-2-Retail-Gameplay-Videos)

[Castout]

I must say the demo performance is not great.

The fps drops to below 20 when zooming in large group action.

My Specs

i5 661 3.33Ghz 2 core 4 thread
GTX 560 Ti
4x2Gb DDR 3

Does the demo use a single core, two or four?

[Arclight]

Best I've seen from any game is 2 or 3 effectively. Seems the same here:
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/EZatHome/cpugraph.jpg

Seems about right though, getting the same on my 460. You might try disabling hyperthreading; those 2 physical cores already have enough on their hands without the additional overhead of running 2 virtual cores. Might just improve the frames a bit if the CPU is really stressed.

(technically you should do better than me, with a faster CPU, RAM and gfxcard)

[Castout]

Well when there isnt a lot going on the fps would jum to even high 90s....but I really like seeing the action up close and personal so this is an issue for me :DL.

Archlight r u getting the game and r u any good in total war game> I need officers badly. :DL

[Arclight]

Archlight r u getting the game and r u any good in total war game> I need officers badly. :DL
It does seem likely, provided no major issues are reported at release.

Am I any good..? I dunno, think I have a decent grasp of tactics, (in-depth) strategy I understand but find hard to put into practice. Can't give you any promises on performance, haven't even played the game yet. :lol:


btw showing 100% load on the GPU, so pretty sure that that FPS is normal zoomed in on a clump of units for a 460/560.

[Castout]

It does seem likely, provided no major issues are reported at release.

Am I any good..? I dunno, think I have a decent grasp of tactics, (in-depth) strategy I understand but find hard to put into practice. Can't give you any promises on performance, haven't even played the game yet. :lol:


btw showing 100% load on the GPU, so pretty sure that that FPS is normal zoomed in on a clump of units for a 460/560.

Ok but only you really want it. Need highly motivated people. I may need to demote couple officers.

So you mean less than 20 fps zooming in is 'normal'? I would hate it

[Arclight]

Er... yeah, I get 18-22 (if I downclock the 460 :O:), average 19-20. That 560 should be a little faster though, say 21-22.

Thats with the "very high" preset (think that maxes all settings) and all the additional options at the bottom ticked, 1680x1050.


What exactly does the clan combat entail? I know you get the multiplayer map where you can move your army and fleet about to attack and conquer regions, but how does that work in a clan?

And I haven't seen any topics or such that descibe or state that you need things like a daimyo and generals. What exactly is needed for administering this clan, and what is expected from the people doing it?

[Castout]

Er... yeah, I get 18-22 (if I downclock the 460 :O:), average 19-20. That 560 should be a little faster though, say 21-22.

Thats with the "very high" preset (think that maxes all settings) and all the additional options at the bottom ticked, 1680x1050.


What exactly does the clan combat entail? I know you get the multiplayer map where you can move your army and fleet about to attack and conquer regions, but how does that work in a clan?

And I haven't seen any topics or such that descibe or state that you need things like a daimyo and generals. What exactly is needed for administering this clan, and what is expected from the people doing it?

basically being admin and moving around the clan target marker :DL

[Arclight]

basically being admin and moving around the clan target marker :DL
Fair enough. :haha:

I'll let yo know when I get the game, take it from there. Gonna have a look at the links at the group page.

* you decided what specialization the clan will follow yet?

[Castout]

Fair enough. :haha:

I'll let yo know when I get the game, take it from there. Gonna have a look at the links at the group page.

* you decided what specialization the clan will follow yet?

Katana samurai. Are you going to to get the game by steam download. When exactly are you going to receive the game?

My ISP informed me I might have international connection problem from Marhc 14th to end of March due to maintenance.

[Arclight]

Fabulous timing. :roll:

Kenjutsu, eh? Think that's sensible. :yep:

I'll be getting the disc, but you still need a Steam acount to play, was the same deal with Empire (heck, that's what started me off on Steam iirc). Disc should be here 15th provided that, again, nothing bad crops up before that.

[Castout]

Fabulous timing. :roll:

Kenjutsu, eh? Think that's sensible. :yep:

I'll be getting the disc, but you still need a Steam acount to play, was the same deal with Empire (heck, that's what started me off on Steam iirc). Disc should be here 15th provided that, again, nothing bad crops up before that.


yeah talk about timing. Ok I'll promote you to the war council. :DL

[Castout]

I think my stupid i5 double core 4 thread CPU is the one responsible for the poor performance when having many units.

Well I will install the full game first then see if I need to get a new mobo and an i7 2600.

I play so few games that the few is worth enjoying without me being rather upset once the fps goes below 20s :damn:.

[Raptor1]

Right, in a fit of temporary insanity, I have bought the game. This is probably a mistake, but it was unavoidable.

So, what's all this clan thing? How does it work?

[Dowly]

Sigh... thinking of buying it too, thanks to Crecy mentioning the sale on it at D2D... just hoping I get the money right after midnight and can still get the pre-order price (I assume the price goes back to £40 when it turns to Tuesday in UK). :nope:

[Spike88]

I pre-ordered the disk version from a local gamestop.

[mr chris]

Have got the game in my wish list. Was looking forward to buying it .But its going to be a while now before i get round to getting it.
My TV broke last week and the guys from Phillips came out to take it away today,and see if they can fix it. It could take anywhere up to 28 days.
So im using my 22in Asus widescreen PC monitor as my stand in TV. Talk about timing i only got my Gaming machine back up and running the week before. Now i cant even use the bloody machine due to the TV:damn::damn:

[Dowly]

The Yogscast test the demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp13JDID2nU

[Castout]

Right, in a fit of temporary insanity, I have bought the game. This is probably a mistake, but it was unavoidable.

So, what's all this clan thing? How does it work?


Well Shogun 2 introduces clan multiplayer where you get additional bonuses for your troops if you are fighting as part of a clan in multiplayer.

See some information in the links provided on the clan's profile page

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/kaminojishin

[Arclight]

I've given up on Kotaku as a "reliable" source for PC matters (evidenced by the meager 3 comments here, none of which seem noteworthy to me), but a review it is: http://kotaku.com/#!5781963/total-war-shogun-2-shows-you-can-go-home-again


And yeah, ordered it 14th, disc should be here in a bit. Expecting to run into the occasional CTD and bug (missing texture or something) but there doesn't seem to enough wrong with it to not play it. :hmmm:

[Dowly]

D2D finally decided to give me the DL link and thus the CD key to use to activate the game via steam and DL 16gigs instead of the 20+ I would've had to DL from D2D.

Weeee...

[Arclight]

Let's hope that includes the 1GB day-1 patch. :O:

Still can't decide if that is good or bad... on the one hand; why ship it if it isn't finished? On the other; support is good. Better day-1 patch than waiting untill complaints reach critical mass.

...

No, it's bollocks. Could have delayed release and get it on the disc. :shifty:

* something to note: the game only offers native anti-aliasing (ie. in-game option) on shadermodel 4.1 and up. That means DX10.1 and DX11 cards only (don't think Nvidia ever bothered with 10.1. ATI did though). AND... the game doesn't support anything beyond DX9 yet... that's the catch. It will be patched in, no doubt in my mind about that, but it effectively means that the game does not support native anti-aliasing at release. Or at all, on DX10 or earlier cards.

You can of course force it through driver no problem, so for most it's a non-issue, but noteworthy little detail none the less.

[Castout]

How's the performance when looking at a lot of dead bodies and when zooming full into large action? :06:

Has the performance improved from demo especially in those two cases?

[Arclight]

Don't know yet, but I expect it to improve with the next patch, provided that's the one adding DX10/11. :hmmm:

[Spike88]

29 minute install away! And I'm still on bloody disk 1.

At least it's faster than downloading it.


Something or other is downloading, and with my luck it'll finish just in time for me to have to go to work.

[Castout]

Spike do join our clan http://steamcommunity.com/groups/kaminojishin

There's Raptor, Dowly and Archlight there. Archlight is admin too.

[Spike88]

Spike do join our clan http://steamcommunity.com/groups/kaminojishin

There's Raptor, Dowly and Archlight there. Archlight is admin too.


I dunno, Arch is a bad abusive admin. :O: I Kid. I'll do it tomorrow(later today) just got off work and it's time to kill some rival clans.

[Castout]

I dunno, Arch is a bad abusive admin.

:O: I Kid

I know not that I have a choice :haha:



I'll do it tomorrow(later today) just got off work and it's time to kill some rival clans.

Great. We're doing great! I think we are the leading clan of the game :yeah:

[Arclight]

... Bloody peasants. :shifty:

:O:

[Arclight]

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/EZatHome/2011-03-16_00010.jpg
Ally got massacred, so I had to take 'm both out, essentialy. :smug:


Really enjoying the game. Strange thing is, I'm mostly doing MP. Normal I barely touch that. :doh:

There's some screwy stuff though: game tends to freeze/crash if you alt+tab, though it's never happened in battles or for other reasons. Lag can be pretty hefty, but a delay in orders is arguably more realistic. Also, everyone is getting a trait for disconnecting, which no one actually does. No negative impact, just annoying. And it completely fails to keep track of stats for the clan. It says I fought 2 battles, but that's nonsense.

So, needs some polish on MP, but the thing plays just fine. And even if my score doesn't go to the clan, the non-clan stuff works just fine (it happens simultaniously. Just if you have a clan, you scored points for them too). So I'm having a blast running around conquering territory, fighting well-behaved human oponents and unlocking new units...

... and hats! Kinda. Armour pieces and such. Bit of an RPG-grind twist, but non of the repetitiveness (different opponent, different army/map/conditions, naval/land/siege, etc).

edit; ah right, and AA: didn't get that working. Might be card thing, but I'm really "looking forward"* to the DX11 patch.
*(i wants it now and delivering the game without it is rather shoddy imho)

[Castout]

There's no AA currently Arch. Except for DX 10.1. There will be for DX 11.

Good battle. That clan member must be pretty raw to Total War :DL

[Arclight]

We both got a victory out of it. Hope he selected a good territory and earned something he really needed, then he can kick butt on his own. :)

(game matched me at lvl3 with lvl1 quite regularly. Can't win that fight really, very tricky. :-?)

We have a pretty solid core, but a lot of them seem to be pretty new to the whole thing. Most of the clans we're up against now are (I think) pretty small; the #2 has less than 20 members iirc while we hit 200 at some point.

But I think it's fine like this. If we're winning because of size, we'll simply move to a different tier/group untill it levels out. If our succes becomes less, a lot of the members will likely switch or splinter off, leaving the core players that build connections, ie. made friends, in the clan.


---personal rambling, feel free to ignore---
Maybe at that point we should close the group and focus our efforts. Organizing a group this size is effectively impossible anyway imo. With an experienced, organised and "loyal" core we might even climb up further, invite more skilled individuals to increase the numbers.

But of course that defeats the whole purpose of just playing for fun. ;)


* btw Dowly, Raptor and me teamed up and kicked some serious butt as well. For one we won a defensive siege, heavily outnumbered. Was glorious. :D

[Dowly]

* btw Dowly, Raptor and me teamed up and kicked some serious butt as well. For one we won a defensive siege, heavily outnumbered. Was glorious. :D

Indeed. :yep:

Too bad I didn't realise to move my avatar on the map to get an unconquered province. :-?

[Biggles]

I bought the game today. I wasn't really going to, was thinking of waiting for a bit, maybe hoping the price would drop in time, but a store in town sold it for 279SEK, which is roughly 46 USD. Quite a bargain for a brand new game (reeaally new, it was released the very same day!)

Haven't played that much yet, but first impressions are very good. Battles are tons of fun, and not as tedious as I would often find them. I feel more inclined to duke it out in person than before, instead of just letting the computer do the job. Runs great too, no lag or anything, I'm playing on high settings, will see what happens if I take it up a notch. Archers are damn deadly now, I saw an enemy unit of infantry being totally wiped out in a manner of seconds, 150 men cut down to 50 just like that! :o

[Castout]

We both got a victory out of it. Hope he selected a good territory and earned something he really needed, then he can kick butt on his own. :)

(game matched me at lvl3 with lvl1 quite regularly. Can't win that fight really, very tricky. :-?)

We have a pretty solid core, but a lot of them seem to be pretty new to the whole thing. Most of the clans we're up against now are (I think) pretty small; the #2 has less than 20 members iirc while we hit 200 at some point.

But I think it's fine like this. If we're winning because of size, we'll simply move to a different tier/group untill it levels out. If our succes becomes less, a lot of the members will likely switch or splinter off, leaving the core players that build connections, ie. made friends, in the clan.



Umm I've already found another clan with over 500 members and their members are even more active than us :o. They look very threatening. If I were to guess they would become our main rival in the future.They are the Hattori clan. So now even if we feel that 460 something members to be extraordinary in the long run we are going to need every helping hand we can get if we want to keep climbing to higher league and eventually top the whole clan and face clans such as the Hattori on an a more or less even playing field.

Well the little fishes will go after the little fishes eventually but bigger ones will eventually be locked in rivalry with other bigger clans.




---personal rambling, feel free to ignore---
Maybe at that point we should close the group and focus our efforts. Organizing a group this size is effectively impossible anyway imo. With an experienced, organized and "loyal" core we might even climb up further, invite more skilled individuals to increase the numbers.

But of course that defeats the whole purpose of just playing for fun. ;)


* btw Dowly, Raptor and me teamed up and kicked some serious butt as well. For one we won a defensive siege, heavily outnumbered. Was glorious. :D

It's not personal rambling. I've thought about it since couple days ago actually but decided against it for fear it would backfire. A lot of people don't like the idea they are obligated to stay in the clan since they can't possibly get out and come back later. This may cause massive number of people leaving out to other public clans to our clan demise. After all they've got pretty good unlocks by now.


Now on the other hand I'd prefer a much softer approach to keeping the existing members. That is by developing and maintaining morale. Active announcement and event are minor ways to do that. Clan banners are also part of the effort to develop and raise morale. There's the reason to the wording we do not fear those who are above us and we do not look down upon those who are below us. I'm hoping invitation to our smaller clan opponents will bear fruit. If we don't antagonize opponent clans there's a good chance they will join us later in the future :DL

I'm even planning to make an invitation drive event where every member is encouraged to invite at least one other steam member who already owns Shogun 2 or will be soon. I will make a point and explain why this is necessary then.
But I will only do this after the clan is promoted to higher league than the current it is in. We need a bit of prestige for this kind of drive to have an optimum effect. Right now most people know us only by our numbers.

[Castout]

@Archlight for those glorious battles do save their replay post them on youtube and link our steam group. Of course if you want to :DL

I bought the game today. I wasn't really going to, was thinking of waiting for a bit, maybe hoping the price would drop in time, but a store in town sold it for 279SEK, which is roughly 46 USD. Quite a bargain for a brand new game (reeaally new, it was released the very same day!)

Haven't played that much yet, but first impressions are very good. Battles are tons of fun, and not as tedious as I would often find them. I feel more inclined to duke it out in person than before, instead of just letting the computer do the job. Runs great too, no lag or anything, I'm playing on high settings, will see what happens if I take it up a notch. Archers are damn deadly now, I saw an enemy unit of infantry being totally wiped out in a manner of seconds, 150 men cut down to 50 just like that! :o

Standard edition in Asia is selling for US$39.9. Limited for US$49.9. So it's fairly cheap especially the standard edition only that average Asians earn much less than you guys.

Join us! And have fun in the group!

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/kaminojishin

[Arclight]

Got a few saved, see what I can do. :D


I think the "low" price is because CA wants easy entry for new players. Main money-maker might turn out to be DLC that they have lined up.

I've thought about it since couple days ago actually but decided against it for fear it would backfire.
Exactly, I'm pretty sure it would. Doesn't fit with the spirit of what it is now.


Moar bragging rights...

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/EZatHome/2011-03-17_00001.jpg
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj2/EZatHome/2011-03-17_00002.jpg

The guy fielded a full-cavalry army. Couldn't belief my eyes when I saw it. And then he goes on to charge his main group of light cavalry straight into my center line, comprised of katana samurai and yari samurai on right flank, and the other group charges on my left flank into a unit of yari samurai, well prepared for them.

So my left light cavalry move up and plow into his back, the yari cavalry on my right flank do the same and plow into his back in the center, case closed. :lol:

After that I just used all my cavalry to hunt down his general and what was left of his army.

No disrespect to my oponent, but I can't claim much skill in this victory. Looks nice though. :DL

http://www.youtube.com/user/Arclight386?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/BaShiLs95EQ

[Castout]

Exactly, I'm pretty sure it would. Doesn't fit with the spirit of what it is now.


Well if members couldn't join unless by invitation but able to leave at any time basically the group is creating barrier to membership growth
Here's hoping the clan could reach top league and doing well in it. I'm hoping Takeda Shingen would become admin too but he has since haven't replied to my offer.

Watched the video that was a massacre his cavalry couldn't stand too long in the fight.

Too easy..oh how I want my copy to be here :DL

[Castout]

神の地震
We are the Kami no jishin


Swift as the wind, still as the mountain, as overwhelming as the ocean

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/kaminojishin

[Crécy]

oh how I want my copy to be here :DL

Tell me about it! :)

I'm already in the clan. Will be getting the game shortly.

And where is the Arc's video?

[Castout]

Tell me about it! :)

I'm already in the clan. Will be getting the game shortly.

And where is the Arc's video?

Thanks fro joining Crecy

Here's Arc's video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaShiLs95EQ

Must say easy victory :DL

[Arclight]

You wanted to see the colors in a battle, and there you have it. :O:

Think he was just experimenting a bit with strategies.

And that codec is really crappy for movement... end is just a blur. :doh:

[HunterICX]

:wah: STOP TEASING ME!!!

HunterICX

[Castout]

:wah: STOP TEASING ME!!!

HunterICX



Resistance is futile.

You will be assimilated.

http://digitalleon.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/borg-cube-voy.jpg

:D

Well to be honest it's a good game and a good game for the value too if you can see past a few mistakes that will soon be fixed. There isn't too many good PC exclusive games these days as well. So give up! :-)

[Dowly]

Indeed a good bargain, especially for the 27€ Direct2Drive had it going when I bought it. :D

[HunterICX]

Well to be honest it's a good game and a good game for the value too if you can see past a few mistakes that will soon be fixed. There isn't too many good PC exclusive games these days as well. So give up! :-)

Plan to get it for my birthday which is something like a month away a whole frickin month.....a month........and and...next week I plan to get Cliffs of duty..I mean Cliffs of Dover and and...but...eh.....aaah...mmm...

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5020/aussieanimeupdateaugust.jpg

HunterICX

[Dowly]

Our 2nd team match with Arclight & Raptor1 yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTJhyaDMluU

[Arclight]

Nice. :)

Forgot I had those yari hidden on my right. If I had brought them in it shouldn't have been such a close call... :oops:

Also: bloody peasants! The lot of 'm breaks as soon as your general is looking the other way. :stare:


Well played. :)

[Biggles]

Also: bloody peasants! The lot of 'm breaks as soon as your general is looking the other way. :stare:



Oh whadda giveaway, you hear that you hear that eh? That's what I'm on about! You see him repressing me?!
http://ddq5.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/dennis1.jpg?w=500&h=390

:O:

[SgtPotato]

Oh whadda giveaway, you hear that you hear that eh? That's what I'm on about! You see him repressing me?!
http://ddq5.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/dennis1.jpg?w=500&h=390

:O:

http://dianelore.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Oppressed-monty-python-and-the-holy-grail-591149_1008_5661.jpg

BE QUIET!


:har:

[Arclight]

Finally! Was beginning to wonder how often I had to say that before someone mentioned Monty Python. :DL

[mr chris]

Joined the clan yesterday. Hopefully i will be getting the game after work tomorrow.

[Biggles]

Finally! Was beginning to wonder how often I had to say that before someone mentioned Monty Python. :DL

You are very welcome :DL

[Raptor1]

Mfffph. I was wondering yesterday where my best General disappeared to in the middle of an invasion of Takeda territory. Now I find him with half of my formerly best troops waving the bloody Takeda banner. Treacherous scum! :stare:

[Spike88]

I'm playing as the Shimazu clan, wiped out the Ito, and then went straight to war with the Sagara clan.
The Shoni assisted me in attacking the Sagara's fortress, despite us only being trade partners.

In the exact same season the Sagara attempted to retake said fortress, only to be wiped out, although at a heavy cost to my garrison. Next season rolls around, and the Shoni wipe out the last Sagara settlement and then proceed to declare war on me.

They have a full stack right outside the fortress they helped me take. I have a feeling my faction leader will not be alive for much longer. I may attempt to have him retreat back towards Satsuma.

[Dowly]

After reading Spike's post, raise your hand if you thought: "Oh right, the game has a singleplayer mode too!" :haha:

[Arclight]

:oops:

Should really get into that. :hmm2:

[Spike88]

After reading Spike's post, raise your hand if you thought: "Oh right, the game has a singleplayer mode too!" :haha:


MP seems laggy for me, and I haven't even been in a battle yet. I don't know if it's my connection or the program.

Anyways, the conclusion to my story, I retreated my Daimyo back to Setsuma and left my meager units to defend the fortress. Through smart thinking I was able to beat back most of my opponents. The final battle was between 6 Katana Samurai(3 in one group, 2 in another, and 1 by himself), 2 Yari Ashigaru, and 4 Bow Ashigaru against 60 something enemy Bow Ashigaru(out of ammo) they scaled the walls and slaughtered my remaining men.

Although they won the battle, they lost 2 generals and 3 times the amount of troops that I lost.

I should have saved the replay.

[Falkirion]

If only Australia wasn't such a prick with game pricing I'd have picked this up from a retail outlet. But there's no way I'm paying $90-$100 AUS for Shogun 2. Think I'm going to import from Ozgameshop, at least they're reasonably priced at around $50 AUS.

Then we'll see who rules Japan, I will because I have the heart of a warrior ahahahahaha (Points if you get the reference)

[Castout]

Plan to get it for my birthday which is something like a month away a whole frickin month.....a month........and and...next week I plan to get Cliffs of duty..I mean Cliffs of Dover and and...but...eh.....aaah...mmm...

HunterICX

Patience is a virtue :O:. My copy should arrive in 6 weeks .....:dead:. So in theory I would be the most virtuous but in reality the most upset most probably LOL.

Joined the clan yesterday. Hopefully i will be getting the game after work tomorrow.

Great Chris! Welcome aboard we are dominating the clan competition.

If only Australia wasn't such a prick with game pricing I'd have picked this up from a retail outlet. But there's no way I'm paying $90-$100 AUS for Shogun 2. Think I'm going to import from Ozgameshop, at least they're reasonably priced at around $50 AUS.

Then we'll see who rules Japan, I will because I have the heart of a warrior ahahahahaha (Points if you get the reference)

Yea I saw the price of a Shogun copy in an Australian based online retailer and WTF?! Try buying from play asia you could get limtied edition copy for 49.9 excluding shipping.

[Falkirion]

Or I buy it from this mob http://www.ozgameshop.com/pc-games/total-war-shogun-2-limited-edition-game-pc
And get it for $43 AUS, and free shipping. Just have to wait 2 weeks or so.

[Castout]

Falkirion do join the Kami no jishin mate, :DL

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/kaminojishin

If you're an experienced Total war online player I'd offer you a place in the war council. :03:

We need more Australians to manage the clan war.

[Castout]

Plan to get it for my birthday which is something like a month away a whole frickin month.....a month........and and...next week I plan to get Cliffs of duty..I mean Cliffs of Dover and and...but...eh.....aaah...mmm...



HunterICX

Hunter I'll give you a war council place if you can agree to the terms. Nothing tough. Just join the clan and then message me when you've got the game or even earlier.

[Falkirion]

Castout I'll let you know mate. Might be a month or so before I start playing though. I'm not that experienced online

[Castout]

Castout I'll let you know mate. Might be a month or so before I start playing though. I'm not that experienced online

It will probably be 6 weeks before I start playing myself. It's been shipped but last time it took 6 weeks to get delivered :dead:. I'm hoping it would 2-3 but not counting on it.

[Crécy]

It will probably be 6 weeks before I start playing myself. It's been shipped but last time it took 6 weeks to get delivered :dead:. I'm hoping it would 2-3 but not counting on it.

Why you ordered it from there if it takes so long? :-?

[Dowly]

Why you ordered it from there if it takes so long? :-?

Maybe he couldn't find it closer. :O:

Here's the current Group 2 clan map (there really needs to be an zoom out function :haha:):

Top 3*
Kami no jishin - 55 provinces
WARBAND clan - 9 provinces
PC Gamer - 4 provinces

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Shogun2_MP_MAP_18_03.jpg


*According to the clan list seen on the map, clan page said we own 60 provinces.

[HunterICX]

Hunter I'll give you a war council place if you can agree to the terms. Nothing tough. Just join the clan and then message me when you've got the game or even earlier.

ありがとう, just signed up...will let you know when I have the game.

HunterICX

[Dowly]

Here's the battle I told Arclight yesterday about, rank 6 opponent with almost full veteran army completely effing up his game. :doh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdVmS0KOLv0

[Castout]

Why you ordered it from there if it takes so long? :-?

Umm one they accept payment by transfer and it takes 6 weeks because I'm using the free shipping me being cheap. If I paid about 20 bucks more it would probably arrive much sooner :O:. Well officially it takes 7-14 days but somehow with my last year order it took 6 weeks for 2 packages to arrive. We have a very reliable postal service here at least it did arrive LOL.

[Dowly]

Umm one they accept payment by transfer and it takes 6 weeks because I'm using the free shipping me being cheap. If I paid about 20 bucks more it would probably arrive much sooner :O:.

Ahahaha, you really are cheap. :rotfl2:

[Biggles]

Any sort of spectator mode in those things? All that multiplayer business sure looks innovating:hmmm:

[Arclight]

Here's the battle I told Arclight yesterday about, rank 6 opponent with almost full veteran army completely effing up his game. :doh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdVmS0KOLv0
Nicely done. :yep:


Does raise a point though; archers firing into melee: worth it?

Seems they are just as likely to kill friendlies as enemy. :hmmm:

[Dowly]

Does raise a point though; archers firing into melee: worth it?

Seems they are just as likely to kill friendlies as enemy. :hmmm:

Another remnant from RTW I'm afraid. Always had them firing even when I was in melee with the enemy. Need to get rid of that habbit, especially now that archers can break the morale quite easily.

@Biggles

I have seen a tab that says "spectators", but no idea how to actually join in as a spectator. :hmmm:

[HunterICX]

Another remnant from RTW I'm afraid. Always had them firing even when I was in melee with the enemy. Need to get rid of that habbit, especially now that archers can break the morale quite easily.

I always kept my archers in check when my units where in a melee fight, mostly I would find a enemy target that's not in melee with mine yet or try to hit the enemy ranged units.

I would only start firing in a melee fight when I see my own units breaking to stall them a bit so I can plug the gap up if possible.

HunterICX

[Arclight]

Think you can spectate if someone hosts it, but don't think it's possible in the ranked match made battles.


I go light on archers in Shogun 2. The better players just comit to melee when I try to harass them. When the fighting starts and there are no targets, I always switch to melee and have them reinforce somewhere.

(that said, 2 units of veteran bow samurai are absolutely devastating, even against twice as many ashigaru archers.)

[Dowly]

I went light on archers at first too, then got pissed off at having to be on the offensive from the get-go because the opponent had more archers, so now I keep 4 Bow whatsamacallthem archers in my medium army. :O:

[Arclight]

Ya... last time I fought medium, my oponent had over 1000 more men. He didnt even bother setting them up, just a massive block of troops...

Think I'll focus a bit more on menpower. Swap a samurai unit for 2 veteran ashigaru, things like that.

I always kill more of their men than they kill mine, but in the end it's just too bloody much of them... commiting general to a fight too early, only to have him routed or killed, is not the best aproach either. Have to stop doing that. :nope:

[Oberon]

How are the cavalry? I always have a weakness for using cavalry for early charges and flanking into archers whilst the melee units mix it up in the center. With the rear archers routed by cavalry then I usually plough it into the rear of the enemy infantry which they really don't like. Charge, attack, disengage, retreat, reform and charge again.

[Arclight]

Cavalry is wonderfull, went pretty heavy on that early on. Clan specialty is cavalry, which means you can select a retainer that reduces casualties in cavalry (not sure how though). I also use a +2 attack retainer for melee cavalry. Numbers being equal, you can wipe out their cavalry and continue on, though you'll lose a fair amount of men, obviously. And morale can really drop in a heartbeat, so I think a well coordinated assault with flanking cavalry will be even more devastating then you're used to.

I've had battles where simply running a cavalry unit (whats left of them after facing enemy cav) along the back of their line while in melee breaks half their army. Ashigaru really don't appreciate having enemy cavalry behind them while fighting.

[Dowly]

I've had battles where simply running a cavalry unit (whats left of them after facing enemy cav) along the back of their line while in melee breaks half their army. Ashigaru really don't appreciate having enemy cavalry behind them while fighting.

Ooh, never thought of that. That might suit perfectly for my cavalry heavy armies, always have 4 (small army) or 6 (medium) cav units that I split up to harrass and cause confusion to the opponent's flanks. :hmmm:

[mr chris]

WooHoo.
Game installed time to load up.

[Dowly]

WooHoo.
Game installed time to load up.

Rage-quit in 3.... 2.... 1.... :DL

[mr chris]

Ah seems i was a little premature, the game had finished installing but now its installing the massive patch. Only another 3% to go.

[Spike88]

Ah seems i was a little premature, the game had finished installing but now its installing the massive patch. Only another 3% to go.

I know how you feel, mine did the same thing. Despite being 97% done, my internet was being an extremely slow 150kb/s, so it took another 20 minutes.





It's time to start yet another campaign, started Date last night and got my ass kicked.

Think I'll go Shimazu again.

Anyone else notice that little Statues are erected where certain battles took place?

[Raptor1]

Anyone else notice that little Statues are erected where certain battles took place?

This happened in other games, at least in Medieval II that I am sure of; no statues, but you had a marker showing the location of "famous battles". I'm not sure if it has any effect, but in my current Date campaign I fought something like four battles around one of the famous battle markers and it always had the same map, though that could be because of how land battle maps are generated.

[mr chris]

In Empire and Napoleon if you fought what was considered to be a Famous battle, you would get small crossed swords that would appear on the map. If you moused over it would say the name of the battle and the date it was fought.

[Dowly]

Was in RTW aswell I believe. :hmmm:

[Spike88]

In Empire and Napoleon if you fought what was considered to be a Famous battle, you would get small crossed swords that would appear on the map. If you moused over it would say the name of the battle and the date it was fought.


I guess none of my battles in Empire where considered famous. :haha:


My play time in M2TW and NTW is about 2-3 hours total.

If it's in RTW, I'm really bad at this, as I've never seen one before.

I also only noticed it while playing as the Date, don't think I saw any as the Shimazu.

[Raptor1]

I think they only appear if you win an absolutely one-sided heroic victory with large numbers of units involved... :hmmm:

[mr chris]

Oh forgot to say i got a bargain when i got my game earlier.
Went into the shop and picked up the standard game and was just about to walk off to the counter, when i noticed that the limited edition copy was the same price.
Picked up the Limited edition copy and went to the counter. It was indeed the same price as the standard copy. They had a pre order for 5 Limited copy's of the game and they had not been picked up.

[Spike88]

I think they only appear if you win an absolutely one-sided heroic victory with large numbers of units involved... :hmmm:


I think the reason I never saw it in ETW, or RTW is the fact that 90% of my battles were sieges battles.

That's the one thing I do enjoy about this game, the campaign map is wider, so you're more likely to have forces meet in the field.
Although it's annoyed me once or twice when I was marching my force towards an invading enemy force, only to have them pass me, and force me to back track.

[Raptor1]

Empire had an odd way of determining what sort of outcome a battle had. The vast majority of my battles were close victories according to the game even if I completely crushed the enemy.

[mr chris]

Empire had an odd way of determining what sort of outcome a battle had. The vast majority of my battles were close victories according to the game even if I completely crushed the enemy.

Same here Napoleon was not that much better either.

Edit: game up and running have join the clan in game is the anything else i need to do?

[Spike88]

Same here Napoleon was not that much better either.

Edit: game up and running have join the clan in game is the anything else i need to do?


Set up your mon to show you're in the clan.

[Arclight]

Once you have selected the Steam group as your clan in-game, that's it. Just play the avatar conquest thing and you'll score points for the clan as well. :)

Mon is not mandatory for members, but it does look nice in team battles... terribly confusing if you're trying to pick out your own units though. :doh:

[Biggles]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQRS27qvigs&feature=related

Cooperative multiplayer campaign!?:o Is this true!?

[Arclight]

Yep, is nice. If a player goes into a battle, the other can choose to spectate or fight as AI. If he chooses to spectate, the "active" player can select troops and give them to the spectator, so you can fight battles together.

[Biggles]

Yep, is nice. If a player goes into a battle, the other can choose to spectate or fight as AI. If he chooses to spectate, the "active" player can select troops and give them to the spectator, so you can fight battles together.

:o

Me LIKE! Too bad that I'm not very good, noone would want to play with me :haha:

[Arclight]

Well, then you could give all your units to the other palyer and let him win it. :haha:

* objective for a long coop campaign is to hold 60 regions together, and the assigned, specific victory regions for the clan you picked. So you really work together towards a common goal.

[mr chris]

Well just played 2 MP games and got thrashed in each one. First one was a 1v1 game. The other was a Team game, wish i was just taken to the cleaners. Steep learning curve ahead.
Still figuring my way around the new menus and interface.

[Castout]

:o

Me LIKE! Too bad that I'm not very good, noone would want to play with me :haha:

Why not it's just a game you can have fun even in SP. If you're really terrible I'll coach you somewhat. Total War is not that hard to be able to hold on your own.

Well just played 2 MP games and got thrashed in each one. First one was a 1v1 game. The other was a Team game, wish i was just taken to the cleaners. Steep learning curve ahead.
Still figuring my way around the new menus and interface.

:DL