| » Pros | |  |
-Two games in one (RTS and TBS)
-Good, clean graphics
-Many different units, even within same clan
-The RTS portion makes for some great tactical strategy
-Good diplomatic model
-Simeple, though powerful, Risk feel to the TBS portion of the game
-Good AI
| » Cons | |  |
-Will suck hours away from your life
-RTS units are not 3D
-Crashes once in awhile (even after patching)
-Larger install (2 Gigs)
-Tutorial only covers the basics
| » Review | |  |
(This review is based on Shogun: Total War - Warlord Edition)
When you buy Shogun: Total War, you are actually buying two different games: a turn based strategy game and a real time (tactical) strategy game. For the most part, both are excellent, and together, they make a great strategy game.
The TBS portion of S:TW, looks like the game of Risk. It features a great maps of Japan, which you use to move your armines build units and structures, trade, run your economy, spy, and be a diplomat. It is this portion of the game which becomes so addictive - "Just one more turn, just until my spy has completed his mission."
By moving your armies onto enemy territory, you can declare war, and enter the real time portion of the game, to tactically decide who controls the land. The number of units used here can reach into the thousands. Terrain is one the the big factors when it comes to fighting, as is army formation, order ans obviously size. Basically, spearmen beat horsemen, horsemen beat archers and archers beat spearmen. This rule almost always holds true.
These basics are covered in the included tutorial, but the tutorial doesn't mention another of the other units, such as swordmen, or horsemen/archers.
The Warlord Edition also includes an expansion pack and a few historically correct scenerios.
Unfortunately, crashes do occur. I've patched the game, but the issue remains. I may be a problem with my computer, but be warned. |