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too easy

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: February 11, 2002
Author: Amazon User

The AI in the new version has improved the computer controlled daimyo's tactical performance, but their strategic skills are weaker. First, tactics. The enemy does much less milling around in valley floors while your archers turn turn them into pincushions. Their cavalry units (usually) don't make unsupported attacks, and retreat in an intelligent way when challenged by heavier infantry types. I've even seen 'reverse slope' defense, where the enemy will stay just back from a ridgeline, waiting for your troops to come up the slope before moving up to attack. On the other hand, as other reviewers have noticed, the reinforcement system is now utterly frustrating, with units appearing (at seemingly random intervals) from every corner of the map, instead of from the backfield. River crossing battles are really harmed by this flaw, as the whole point of a river battle is that YOU are on one side, the ENEMY on the other. Not anymore! Now, some strategic gripes. In the original, set the game on expert and you're hanging on by your fingernails. Even the 'hard' setting was a decent challenge. Now, the 'expert' setting is unbelievably easy. Why? Because the daimyos seem to have been castrated. They don't build massive armies and snap up province after province. They just seem to sit back and wait until you are powerful enough to come destroy them. This makes the endgame practically a waste of time. I've shown up with well-developed troops (legendary armor and weapons, etc.) only to find my opponent with a largely ashigaru army, low in honor, with no improved equipment. Grrrr. Bottom line: the new edition is better in every way, but ruined by the absence of an adequate difficulty level. Stick to the old version if you really want a test of your abilities.

Very good battle simulations

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: February 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

The non battle strategy play received mediocre reviews at best (I haven't even bothered to play it yet) - but the battles and campaigns are very good.

Running down rows of unsuspecting archers or musketeers from behind with Cavalry is good- and the new Thunder Bombers are devastating if you can get them on a hill shooting down.

The strategy and terrain effects are very good. Some problems with a few quirks and the AI could be better - but overall an excellent game.

'Instruction booklet included'

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: September 18, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Yes,'Warlord Edition' has a guide on how to move your Samurai,march and "run"(CTRL+R),"set facing/move with fixed facing"(ALT+Click),and "all units"(CTRL+A). If you bought the 'Shogun: Total War',you didn't get the instruction booklet. The instruction booklet is so important to understand how to operate the game,and in this 'Warlord Edition' the booklet is included. It will help you to understand how to operate your samurai in 'Shogun: Total War',and understand how to use your thrown room. Again for this 'Warlord Edition' you have to enter a 22-digit serial number,press 'Install',let boot-up (Install) to 100 %,and then press 'next' like 8 times. This 'Shogun' is like the first 'Shogun',only as lord Hojo you get 'crossbow men',and the Monguls have 'Thunder-Bombers',a really cool game! I also suggest that if you like this kind of war gaming,and your looking at 'Medieval:Total War',that you first buy the 'Official Strategy Guide' while it's still available,next year it probably will be 'out of print'. happy gaming!

A MILESTONE IN GAMING HISTORY!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: December 29, 2007
Author: Amazon User

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!!!

best game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 3
Date: July 12, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Amazing game with realistic variables that make it compelx but learnable lots of fun amazing graphics best game of its kind and in some ways the only game of its kind

One amazing game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: January 26, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is a must get. For many reasons. One, it's got so much to do that you'll be playing for weeks before you really finish the game completely. The storyline is also quite interesting as you make and break alliances with neighbouring clans. The graphics in this game are quite impressive as are the sound affects. I like the over map idea because it shows the way real battles and wars are fought. The battles are truly the best battles I have seen in a game of this type. The true scale of war is highly impressive as thousands of soldiers engage each other in combat. The one gripe that I have about this game is the system requirements. You have to have a pretty good computer to be able to play the game without the slow down. But besides that, the game is truly one not to be missed. Buy it.

Outstanding!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: February 06, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I cannot say enough good things about Shogun. The very best thing about it is that it is a real challenge. Expect to take some time exploring all of the facets of handling armies, diplomacy, and ecomomic planning. The result is that you will enjoy the game for a long time before you exhaust all of its possibilities.

I would like to offer a few specific suggestions. Risk your Damiyo in battle rarely. If your clan has no direct heir when he is killed, your game is over. Group formations become vital when your armies become larger. It is nearly impossible to direct 16 different units separately. Be careful of painting yourself into corners with too many alliances. Improve your farm lands to keep your income high. Finally, archers on top of steep hills are very hard to beat in a defensive role.

Enjoy!

Great game and expansion!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: August 11, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I will keep this a short as I can. This game can be described in 3 words: Really really good. It has everything you can expect in an RTS game. It has a nice mix of real time and turn based action. While the graphics may not be the best, they are good for a game of this scale. The single player is great (especialy with the addition of the mongols.) But don't count out multi-player, infact it's even better than before (thanks again to the mongols.) This game is a must get for anyone who likes any of the following things in a game:

1. Turn based action
2. Real time action
3. Japan's history
4. MONGOLS

Delays, delays, delays...

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 2 / 12
Date: July 23, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I'm sure that this upgrade will be one of high magnitude, however the production and development for this product is not. The first upgrade was posted to be out a month ago and they decided that we would want the full expansion pack at one time. Personally I would have enjoyed being entertained by the first upgrade while I waited for the larger expansion. Now they have delayed the release yet again. I'm sorry but this is not how you run a successful company. When you set a release date you had better make it even if this means overtime for the crew. To delay causes desertion in the buying population and not as many people will buy now than before. Also I do concur that they need to keep the original game separate from the expansion. Thanks.

this sucks

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: June 17, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I agree with that guy. THe expansion packs should be sold seperatly so those of use who already own and love the original.

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