Introduction

Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Shogun: Total War official page: http://www.totalwar.com

Keeping it real

EA has just shipped a new 3D RTS game entitled Shogun: Total War. Unlike most of today's RTS games, Shogun doesn't play out in a clichéd, sci-fi world. It is instead based in a real life time and place: feudal Japan, during the time of samurai, ninjas, and meddling from imperialistic "gaijin" like the Portuguese. During much of the 15th and 16th centuries, the entire country of Japan was separated into a number of feudal states ruled by warrior generals known as daimyo. In Shogun, you'll take the role of a daimyo attempting to unite all of Japan under one rule - yours. Accomplishing this end will require a lot of good old fashioned, medieval battle, Braveheart style. Imagine hundreds or even thousands of troops clashing on the battlefield - arrows darting through the air, and heavy cavalry pounding out an intimidating charge on the enemy. If that sounds appealing to you, then Shogun has what you're looking for.

Gotta train!

Let it snow let it snow...

You'll be training and using units from the era like samurai pikemen, archers, cavalry, and even riflemen if you choose to trade with the European Christians. If you stay Buddhist, you'll have the services of the fierce warrior monks at your disposal (imagine several dozen badasses crazy enough to fight to the death and as skilled as Jet Li). With its 3D terrain and extraordinary weather effects, Shogun's tactical game will remind many of Bungie's hit Myth series, only with hundreds more units on the battlefield.

Looks disorganized in there

I'm getting wooped on

There's strategy too

While the battle engine will challenge even the most tactically minded gamers, Shogun includes a more strategic aspect as well. Being a daimyo isn't all about military conquest - you've got people to feed, borders to watch over, rice harvests to collect, and politics to deal with. Shogun's strategy side shows gamers a 2D map of Japan, where you can give orders to each of your provinces once every season. You'll need to decide which ones build which types of structures, set tax rates, move troops from province to province, and even train and deploy ninja assassins to spy on your neighbors (or take them out). It's somewhat similar to how city management in Civilization works. Old school console gamers who played the Koei games will be right at home in Shogun's strategic aspect. It's reminiscent of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Nobunaga's Ambition.