Total War: Shogun 2
Total War: Shogun 2 is a strategy video game developed by Creative Assembly and published by Sega in 2011. It is part of the "Total War" series and returns to the 16th-century Japan setting of the first "Total War" game, "", after a series of games set mainly in Europe and the Middle East. "Shogun 2" is set in 16th-century feudal Japan, in the aftermath of the Ōnin War during the Ashikaga shogunate. The country is fractured into rival clans led by local warlords, each fighting for control. The player takes on the management of  one of these clans, with the goal of dominating other factions and establishing rule over Japan. The standard edition of the game features a total of eight factions (plus a ninth faction for the tutorial), each with a unique starting position and different political and military strengths. The limited edition includes an exclusive ninja clan, the Hattori, and a DLC unlocks a tenth clan, the Ikko-Ikki. The game moves away from the European setting of previous "Total War" games and returns to the first setting in the "Total War" series, but making significant changes to core gameplay elements of  Shogun 2. Compared to "" which spanned almost the entire globe, the new installment focuses only on the islands of Japan (excluding Hokkaido) and on a reduced number of unit types. "Shogun 2" received critical praise from reviewers, often for its simplification and refinement of the series by returning to its roots. A standalone expansion set, "", was released in 2012. Gameplay. "Shogun 2's" blend of turn-based strategy and real-time tactics gameplay is a staple of the "Total War" series. The player plays the role of both the clan leader and general, alternating between the campaign, where the player  manages land and armies turn by turn, and the battles, where the player takes control of the army on the battlefield in real-time. In the campaign, the player needs to oversee the development of settlements, military production, economic growth, and technological advancement respectively. The armies and units are organised and moved around the stylised campaign map by the player to carry out battles with other factions. In addition to fighting, the player is able to engage in diplomacy, political manoeuvring and the use of special agents to gain the upper hand. Ninja and geisha are also present in the  game as assassins and spies. While religion isn't as relevant as it was in "", it can't be neglected by the player. Greater interaction with the European foreigners (Nanban traders), for example, to enhance trade and acquire firearms, exposes the clan to Christianity, which will seriously increase religious unrest in the provinces. Religious agents, such as monks and priests can be used to convert the enemy population. There are nine major clans that inhabit the provinces of Japan which the player chooses from. There are others, including the "Akamasu retainer clan". All Clans have particular advantages in certain areas , to give a variety of play style with each. There are also three factions available as downloadable content (the Hattori faction came complimentary with preorders of the game, however): In "Total War: Shogun 2", leaders and generals are given personality and depth in gameplay, with high emphasis on role-playing. Generals and agents are portrayed as "larger-than-life" heroes with unique characteristics and powerful abilities. The player is able to improve and unlock traits and special abilities for the characters as they gain experience. However, the player may also be inclined to engage in family politics within the clan  to keep its members loyal. The battles of "Shogun 2" involve large-scale engagements between armies that meet on the campaign map and can take place on land or on water. The developers proclaim they are paying particular attention to re-designing the naval and siege battles appropriate to the new setting. In contrast to European castles and forts, the castles in feudal Japan had multiple tiers, and thus the siege battles in the game put less focus on wall defences but more on courtyard brawls and tactical maneuvering. Also, the players will fight naval battles with unique Japanese ships  resembling "floating castles", and take into consideration melees on ships, arrow fire, coastal terrain, and other factors. Like the recent installments, "Empire" and "", the weather and climatic conditions have an effect on battles. For example, fog greatly reduces visibility, while heavy rain diminishes the effectiveness of missile troops, such as archers or gunners, thus requiring the players to adapt their strategies. Also, as in "Napoleon", armies standing on enemy provinces during winter season or fleets far from the coast suffer attrition. "Shogun 2" is known for a unique event for the series known as Realm Divide, in which one by  one, all computer-controlled surviving clans declare war on the player (or players in coop-campaign mode) and ally with each other, though the player's allies tend to do so later. Realm Divide is triggered when the player captures enough territories or captures Kyoto. The clan's fame shows how close the player is to triggering realm divide. "Shogun 2" features multiplayer battles with up to 8 players as well as multiplayer campaigns involving competitive or cooperative play with 2 players. In a multiplayer campaign, players can be grouped into different clans, so that for each clan, one player  assumes the role of clan leader and others take command of armies. The clan leader has the ability to direct other players and assign rewards based on loyalty and performance, introducing clan politics into multiplayer. As a player's army invades an enemy territory or is attacked by enemy armies, the online matchmaker finds a suitable opponent and initiates a multiplayer battle. When a player defeats enemy armies and conquers territories, the player will gain points and other bonuses for the clan. In addition, an achievement system is designed to provide adhering players with unique abilities and cosmetic upgrades. Release . A demo became available on Steam on 22 February 2011. The demo covers the campaign tutorial, the historical Battle of Sekigahara and the full game encyclopaedia. "Shogun 2" was released in four different editions. The "Standard Edition" contains just the game, while the "Limited Edition" additionally makes playable a unique faction with special talents (the Hattori Clan), an additional historical battle scenario 'Nagashino', a complete set of armour for the player's online avatar and a starting bank of experience points to spend on that online character. The "Collector's Edition" includes the "Limited Edition" content as well as a  replica bamboo box containing a "Shogun 2" art book and a detailed figurine of Takeda Shingen. The "Grand Master's Edition" consists of the "Collector's Edition", as well as a bamboo "Shogun 2" themed chess set, currently exclusive to select stores in the UK and Australia. Players who pre-ordered at GameStop (online or in-store) unlocked and can take part in the historic Battle of Kawagoe. Set in 1545, the Battle of Kawagoe saw the Later Hōjō clan launch a successful night time counter-attack against the besieging Uesugi clan, eschewing heavy armour in favour of speed and  stealth. Those who pre-ordered at Best Buy (online or in-store only) will unlock 1,000 Koku, the currency used in "Total War: Shogun 2". Player's campaigns will begin with 1,000 Koku, allowing them to purchase new buildings, train new units and upgrade their towns. As a special pre-order bonus, Steam announced the "Shogun Pack" for "Team Fortress 2". This was given to players who purchased "Total War: Shogun 2" before its release date. The pack consists of eight feudal Japan-themed items, including a sashimono, katana, kunai and gunbai. These items do not affect "Shogun 2" in  any way and can only be used in "Team Fortress 2". Steam also released the "Total War Collection" on 10 March 2012. This consisted of "", "Medieval II: Total War", "", and "Napoleon: Total War". It also included "Total War: Shogun 2" which could be preloaded on 14 March. Compilations and ports. On 5 March 2013 in North America and on 8 March of the same year in Europe and Australasia (Eu/Au) "Gold Edition" compilations were released. The North American edition contained the base game, the "Rise of the Samurai" campaign and the "Fall of the Samurai" game. The Eu/Au  edition contained these as well as all but one of the downloadable content packs (Dragon War Battle, Hattori Clan, Ikko Ikki Clan, Otomo Clan, Saga Clan, Obama Clan, Tsu Clan, Sendai Clan, Saints & Heroes Elite Unit and Sengoku Jidai Elite Unit packs but not the Blood Pack). The Eu/Au version also came in a gold and black wajima-nuri inspired folding case unlike the standard case for the North American version. On 31 July 2014, "Shogun 2" was released for macOS by Feral Interactive, along with the "Total War: Shogun 2 Collection", which includes all previously released additional content  except "Blood Pack". "Shogun 2", "Shogun 2 Collection" and "Fall of the Samurai" were released for Linux on 23 May 2017. Reception. "Total War: Shogun 2" received "universal acclaim", according to review aggregator Metacritic. GameSpot reviewer Daniel Shannon has called it the "best "Total War" yet". Alan Blair (lead campaign programmer), Kevin McDowell (lead artist) and Scott Pitkethley (lead battle programmer) won British Academy Video Games Awards for "Total War: Shogun 2" for best strategy game. As of 31 March 2011, the game has sold 600,000 units in Europe and North America. In 2019, PC Gamer listed "Shogun 2" as  the best "Total War" game.