Shogun 2: Total War gameplay demonstration is longer than most actual wars
by Griffin McElroy 
on Dec 17th 2010 1:00PM
7
Reader Comments (7)
Posted: Dec 17th 2010 1:25PM SPARTAN VI said
An obvious flop to make the AI look good. At the very least, I'm happy to see that the AI attempted and succeeded in a "back attack," as they put so eloquently. Of course, the player wasn't paying attention to it at all.
Anyhow, did siege warfare play out like this, historically? Asking because it doesn't look relatively entertaining in comparison to Rome or Medieval Total War. Can't imagine how much fun it would be if the attackers simply climb up my walls every damn time.
Anyhow, did siege warfare play out like this, historically? Asking because it doesn't look relatively entertaining in comparison to Rome or Medieval Total War. Can't imagine how much fun it would be if the attackers simply climb up my walls every damn time.
Posted: Dec 17th 2010 2:10PM Invigilator said
@SPARTAN VI
Rome Total War, especially with awesome mods like Roma Surrectum ,is still vastly superior to all Total War titles since.
Can't wait for Rome 2 Total War, and hopefully its total conversion mod friendly.
The visuals in Shogun are unbelievable, though.
Reply
Rome Total War, especially with awesome mods like Roma Surrectum ,is still vastly superior to all Total War titles since.
Can't wait for Rome 2 Total War, and hopefully its total conversion mod friendly.
The visuals in Shogun are unbelievable, though.
Posted: Dec 22nd 2010 4:37PM SPARTAN VI said
@SPARTAN VI
Pffft, down rate my comment on AI. Look at the last few Total War games and show me how much CA has improved the AI. Passive AI much? It's been a problem since RTW, and perhaps further back than that.
That said, the AI seems "promising" for Shogun 2, but I wouldn't "hold my breath."
And what's up with the over use of flaming arrows?! It's so hollywood and played little part in actual/historical infantry engagements. Why would a defender use flaming arrows to thwart infantry... he'll burn up his own emplacements.
Reply
Pffft, down rate my comment on AI. Look at the last few Total War games and show me how much CA has improved the AI. Passive AI much? It's been a problem since RTW, and perhaps further back than that.
That said, the AI seems "promising" for Shogun 2, but I wouldn't "hold my breath."
And what's up with the over use of flaming arrows?! It's so hollywood and played little part in actual/historical infantry engagements. Why would a defender use flaming arrows to thwart infantry... he'll burn up his own emplacements.
Posted: Dec 17th 2010 3:09PM mrmobius said
Well, how could the enemy fail to win when he had such a weak force and didn't give himself time to plan his attack.
Also, half the fun of Rome Total War was holding off an attack with archers on the wall because they couldn't manage to break the door. If they can just climb, defence is less about buildings.
Also, half the fun of Rome Total War was holding off an attack with archers on the wall because they couldn't manage to break the door. If they can just climb, defence is less about buildings.
Posted: Dec 17th 2010 5:21PM Marco le Polo said
Well that was long, but most entertaining. Funny commentators always make the time fly.
Posted: Dec 17th 2010 7:37PM Bekefel said
You mean Total War: Shogun 2, right? Some bozo told me they flipped the name around.
Oh that's right, it was Joystiq.
Oh that's right, it was Joystiq.
Posted: Dec 19th 2010 9:32PM rartemass said
So can I do things like pour oil over the outer walls to halt them from climbing up, then when most of their melee troops are in range and dripping with oil, shot fire arrows at them?
Can I simply send troops out to destroy the bridge at the back to completely ruin the back attack?
Can I soak the ground outside the walls so the earth is muddy, slowing their advance?
The problem I have with most of these war strategy games is that I can't do things like the above. As Sun Tzu said, attacking a fortified city is the last option that is used out of desperation and should be avoided. The siege by the AI seems too easy because the player doesn't seem to be capable of doing anything outside of combat to give an advantage.
I would have the outer courtyard rigged to be set on fire once I lost the area. Pull my troops back to the inner courtyard while trapping their forces in flames. If they didn't flee from that then I'd have a concentrated force at the centre to drive them back.
These are the kind of tactics I'd love to have in a war strategy game. If this game includes it then I'll order my copy today.
Can I simply send troops out to destroy the bridge at the back to completely ruin the back attack?
Can I soak the ground outside the walls so the earth is muddy, slowing their advance?
The problem I have with most of these war strategy games is that I can't do things like the above. As Sun Tzu said, attacking a fortified city is the last option that is used out of desperation and should be avoided. The siege by the AI seems too easy because the player doesn't seem to be capable of doing anything outside of combat to give an advantage.
I would have the outer courtyard rigged to be set on fire once I lost the area. Pull my troops back to the inner courtyard while trapping their forces in flames. If they didn't flee from that then I'd have a concentrated force at the centre to drive them back.
These are the kind of tactics I'd love to have in a war strategy game. If this game includes it then I'll order my copy today.
