Shogun: Total War

This CD-ROM Video Games item from Electronic Arts was reviewed on 10-Dec-2008.

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1) CD-ROM Video Games Shogun: Total War by Electronic Arts. Shogun: Total War is one of the best strategy games ever. The game is divided into two segments: a Risk-esque map of Japan that gives you the strategic picture and a battle simulator that lets you play out the battles you arrange on the strategic map. Going far beyond numbers, tactical decisions a player makes affect the battle significantly - for example, if it begins to rain gunpowder units are useless, while if a player seizes the high ground they can attack units still ascending the hill easier. While by today´s standards the graphics are not stellar, they are still passable and don´t detract from gameplay - and those with slower computers can experience an RTS game with little to no lag.

My one and only beef with the game itself is the diplomacy aspect - it is seriously lacking, especially because it lacks any toggle switch. For example, if you forge an alliance with someone the only way to break it is for one to attack the other. It´s almost impossible after the first few turns to be neutral to somebody. Also, the manual, in a word, sucks. It´s uninformative, and I´ve had to go out and buy the strategy guide just so I can learn what some of the basic symbols of the game mean.

Those two items aside, this game is a classic. A must for any RTS fan.¤

2) CD-ROM Video Games Shogun: Total War by Electronic Arts. DISCLAIMER: I am a Japan-buff and games based on the Sengoku period of the Shogunate Wars have to be really bad for me not to enjoy them.
Now imagine how much I enjoyed one of the BEST strategy games ever!!!

SHOGUN: TOTAL WAR is admittedly such a great game in every aspect it has become a RTS game benchmark. Not to mention it has fathered the TOTAL WAR series!

Alternating between a tactical map (in which units get moved and improvements built) and the battlefield map (in which real-time unit movements and battles are fought) SHOGUN:TW has struck the perfect harmony between Turn-Based and Real-Time Strategy gaming.

The graphics are by now only a bit dated - and, on the other hand, they can truly shine even on mid-range systems today. The units are easily distinguished during battle, controlling them is done via a user-friendly interface and the issued orders are followed fast and effectively (something not true for much latter games, such as SUPREME COMMANDER).

The sounds manage to be both majestic and realistic (even after so many years, I am using them as my main WinXP Sound-Theme). Both Japanese and English is available.

Birth of an heir, earthquakes and assassination attempts by ninjas all add to the unpredictability of the gameplay. The particulars of the terrain and the weather, the troops deployment and the placement (and survival) of the general, all make the real-time battles such a unique experience!
Alliances are made and broken; rebels conquered and their shock troops assimilated; Christian traders allowed or shunted. Every decision has consequences.

Do not miss on it!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!¤

3) CD-ROM Video Games Shogun: Total War by Electronic Arts. An absolutely awesome piece. The graphics and sound is just so fantastic! Able to coontrol hundreds of troops at a time. The only cons are that there is a lot of space taken up on the hardrive. Otherwise, AWESOME!!!!!!!¤

4) CD-ROM Video Games Shogun: Total War by Electronic Arts. This is just to disagree with Chow Dog´s review.

*Every* Clan can win, even at the hardest (Expert) level, you just need to have a knowledge of your clan´s strengths and weaknesses. The Hojo and the Shimazu are , in my opinion, the easiest clans to play and win with, but there´s molto fun in the others. Brag: I´ve won with every clan except the Imagawa (yet!) at the hardest level and that means I´ve defeated the Hojo at least five times.

The weather is also vitally important. I used to only play in fine weather so I could see...but you can sneak up in fog...or if you are close-combat oriented, attack one of the computers Archer- heavy armies in the rain.

I could go on. I discover new subtleties with every game.

I agree that the "diplomacy" is rudimentary, and that is my one real gripe. You cannot get your "ally" to attack in concert on a mutual enemy, even if you are both at war.

A strategy suggestion: in the beginning you have two choices: immediate blitzkrieg on your nearest enemy to take them out before they can get strong, or a more measured approach, building up infrastructure and armies till you are ready to fight. Both approaches have their place, but you will find that your long-term development is slowed if you choose the former.

Cry Banzai! and let loose the dogs of war!¤

5) CD-ROM Video Games Shogun: Total War by Electronic Arts. Shogun: Total War brings you back to the Warring States Period. You may play as one of the seven warlords. The history and everything appear to be accurate. Ninja, Geisha, emissary, and all kinds of soldiers, from regular spearmen to archers to warrior monks to calvary, are all available. The game play is indeed simple. Most of the time you are like playing card board game, you move your soldiers like playing RISK. But when a battle breaks out, it turns to an action mode, in which you can command and actually see the soldiers crossing blades (the sound effect is cool!) You win the game until you defeat all the other lords, i.e. conquer Japan.

There are several things that make this game fascinating: (1) the sound tracks are great: very traditional Japanese music; (2) accurate historical background. Good research; (3) the videos are fantastic. For example, when the ninja carries out his assination, a video will show that whether he has succeed or failed (i.e. whether the ninja or the target is killed); (4) like the AGE OF EMPIRE, you need to build things in your dominiants in order to improve either your country´s economy or the quality of your soldiers; (5) you can choose between two languages, either English or Japanese. If you´d like to enjoy a more traditional Japanese environment, this will be a very good option.

Many people have praised this game, but there are several drawbacks that made me give it only 4 stars: (1) the function of forming alliances is almost useless. An "Alliance" in this game only means "non-interference". You cannot plan and cooperate with your computer allies to attack your common enemies. Also, they sometimes offer you alliance without reasons: they can immediately invade you right after forming an alliance with you; (2) Although the introduction claims that all the warlords have equal chances to win, this is simply not true. After playing it for a few times, you will discover that the Hojo Clan has almost 80% chance to win, the remaining 20% goes to the Oda Clan. The remaining five lords have no chance at all; (3) after all, it is force but not strategy that really matters. As long as you have a large and elite army, you can win for sure. In fact, I don´t see how one can apply Sun Tzu´s ART OF WAR to this game because of the illogical alliance relationship; (4) ninja assassinations are not helpful. Even if your ninja has succeed in killing the enemy general (this is rare), the death of the general has no real impact on the enemy; (5) ninja assassinations are extremely tough missions: you can hardly make it. Sometimes I wonder why do I spend money on training ninjas...; (6) the graphics during the battle mode may not be as good as you think. You can´t really see the tiny soldiers clearly. You won´t see any blood. You won´t see where the arrows are shooting at until you see some of your soldiers falling down. The map is also not impressive. The weather makes no real difference. Sometimes when the enemies are hidding, you will never find them, and when time´s up, you will lose the battle even though you should be the victor; (7) I don´t like the difficulty levels. The EASY mode is too easy, it is like your competitors are standing still and waiting for you to knock them down one by one. But the NORMAL mode is too difficult, and unless you play as the Hojo Clan, your chance of winning drops to zero, because the Hojo Clan controlled by the computer is "destined" to win.

Overall, this is a nice game with several shortcomings. But to be fair, many strategy games have these shortcomings, too. I would recommend you to play the EASY mode, enjoy the sound tracks, learn some Japanese history, and to be absorded into the traditional Japanese atmosphere that will be automatically created by this game through your computer screen. But don´t expect too much for the AI of this game.¤

6) CD-ROM Video Games Shogun: Total War by Electronic Arts. Thousands of loyal warriors stand before you, a nation lies ready to be conquered, in the shadows, ninja assassins await your orders. In Shogun: Total War you must display strength and cunning to conquer ancient Japan. In Mongol Invasion you lead the Mongol hordes on a bloody campaign to invade Japan and steal its riches.¤

7) CD-ROM Video Games Shogun: Total War by Electronic Arts. Inspired by the war epics of director Akira Kurosawa, Shogun: Total War perfectly captures the chaos, conflict, and beauty of ancient warfare. Shogun thrusts you into the unstable politics of 16th-century feudal Japan. You command thousands of loyal samurai and other troops against six other factions in massive battles that will determine the fate of Japan itself. You can learn the basics of the art of war by playing the included tutorial missions, hone and test your skills by loading historical battles, or enter the campaign mode and go for the ultimate goal: becoming shogun.

Campaign play is divided into two portions--the strategic overview map where you manage your armies and provinces, and the tactical combat mode where battles are fought. The strategy portion isn´t too deep. There aren´t many buildings or unit types to build, and the diplomatic options are limited. It merely serves to provide a frame for the battle sequences, and that´s where Shogun really shines.

Battles are fought on beautiful 3-D landscapes, with forests to hide in, fortifications to storm, and rolling hills to climb. Weather effects like rain and snow aren´t just there for looks--they have a dramatic impact on gameplay. Wet conditions will render the match-lit guns useless and also decrease the range of archers because their bowstrings get wet. Troops get bogged down by wet gear, and high winds push arrows aside. Even the seasons affect battles, as longer or shorter days in the summer and winter determine how long you have to defeat your foe (or how long you must fend off an assault).

But weather and time are the least of your worries. Effectively managing your troops is the key to victory and also the toughest aspect of the game. There are dozens of formations to choose from and hundreds of tactical tricks to exploit. Keeping your archers, cavalry units, and various types of foot samurai all pointing the right way and effectively supporting one another is half the battle. The game interface and keyboard shortcuts make things easier, but Shogun´s manual is just terrible. A simulation this fast paced and complex deserves thorough and accurate documentation, but you´ll have to buy the separate strategy guide to get any worthwhile information. Fortunately, those with a little patience and an interest in the game should be able to figure things out, and they´ll be rewarded with one of the most realistic and fun real-time war games available. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Realistic terrain and weather have an actual impact on gameplay
• Control thousands of troops at once using historical formations
• Strategy elements in the campaign mode complement the tactical battles and add to gameplay
• Includes footage from Kurosawa´s classic Ran

• Worthless manual
• Weak tutorial missions

8) CD-ROM Video Games Shogun: Total War by Electronic Arts. Japan, 1542--a country in turmoil. The last shogunate has collapsed, leaving a nation divided into numerous factions, each led by a daimyo (feudal warlord). Each daimyo is out to scheme, murder, and wage war to become supreme ruler. The emperor is powerless--a puppet of whichever faction controls Kyoto. Into this melting pot come the first European explorers, bringing guns, religion--and disease. Out of this chaos will emerge only one daimyo who will master all the varied skills that make up the art of war: politics, economics, subterfuge, strategic warfare, and battlefield tactics. Only one will become shogun.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 7-Jan-2009, , 360-USB-TJB-DZB-AUB-1SB-9UB-M0B-QIB-8

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