Shogun 2: Total War Preview – Story, Graphics and Gameplay

Total War series returns to the land of the rising sun after a decade of absence. Shogun 2: Total War is the next hybrid real-time turn-based strategy from UK-based developer Creative Assembly and publisher SEGA.

Story

It’s the 16th Century, Japan is going through the worst period in its history. After the great Ounin war Japan is surrounded by Chaos and turmoil where 8 warlords are clashing with each other for small pockets of power. These pockets of power would allow a warlord to get the blessing from the Central Emperor, enabling the warlord to exact his reigns of power on all of the lands.

Gameplay

Ancient Japan makes for a mesmerizing setting, especially when the storms roll in and you’re fighting alongside rumbling thunder and lightning strikes. It’s EPIC in every sense of the word. Unlike its predecessors, in Shogun 2: Total war, the developers are focusing more on the core components of the game. Rather than having huge armies at disposal, players will control 30-40 basic units (20 or so per faction) each with its specific purpose, so that players can play strategically, and to add a variety of gameplay experience, the units will upgrade over time.

In the previous Shogun games, the scale of the battlefield was enormous which ranged from continent to continent, whereas in Shogun 2: Total war the scale of the battlefield is limited to JAPAN only. The developers more then compensate for the reduced scale by the complexity of the characters and story.

The most exciting new gameplay feature has to be the inclusion of siege battles. The ancient Japanese countryside was littered with giant fortresses, and you get the chance to hold out in these against thousands of attacking enemies. It’s incredibly tense and tactical, and you have to make sure none of your defenses fall enabling enemies to pour in.

The Total War games just keep getting bigger, and this is the most exciting yet. The return to the ancient Japanese setting also makes it one of the most visually striking, with gorgeous menu design and elaborately designed units and castles.

Another great improvement is the addition of hero units in the game. These heroes are legendary warriors with unparalleled fighting skills, the hero units are a nearly unstoppable force on the battlefield, capable of holding bridge crossings against entire armies, or slashing their way through a battle line to engage the enemy general.