Posted 2nd of September, 2010

DAMN. that's pretty.  Also I suck at these kinds of games, I hope they have difficulty sliders.

" Looks fucking amazing. Can't wait for this to drop. "

I came in expecting something new. Left with the bitter taste of disappointment...

Seeing this at PAX was pretty sweet.  Hell, even their booth was nice, total Japanese setup. 
 
Also, they have mentioned that they are doing something awesomely different with the map this time around but can't say what it is yet.  Here was my husband's post on the official forums after we saw this at PAX: 
 

 Shogun 2 was represented at the Pax convention!

Astounding battlefield visuals, Accurate to period dress, Realistic weather, General Speeches, Assassination Videos, All that we have come to expect from a Total War game and more was there.

They did not have a campaign map quite ready yet. I questioned the presenter about it. I confirmed its a mix of the original Shogun/Medieval and the Empire campaign maps.

9 Factions are ready to go. 1 more faction being worked up for something special in the future. Presenter didn't elaborate.

Presenter walked us through a battle, was another faction vs Takeda. Presenter took the side of the other faction. Very basic Total war battle as we all know them to be. Presenter charged the middle took heavy casualties to archer fire, flanked with cavalry and routed the Takeda Wings. Charged the infantry General, rolled up the middle.

There was a small viewing of a naval type setting. Presenter made sure to point out that Japanese naval vessels weren't Carracks or Ships of the Line. And were for more for transportation than actual Naval engagements. Which is true. Despite that the vessels looked outstanding, and will play important roles in your gameplay.

Feel free to comment or ask questions. I am sure there is tons I have forgotten. Was a lengthy presentation, with Q@A.     
 
 The presenter was questioned directly about the Mongols or a possible expansion in that area. He replied that since Sega is a Japanese company, they are a bit skittish about depicting any Japanese invasion of the Korean Penninsula, or of China proper. Apparently its quite literally a political hot button issue they are trying to watch. The Mongol invasion seemed the more likely expansion, due to, its having occurred (or not rather) so long ago.  
 
      My understanding is that Sega is lukewarm on the idea due to the political climate. CA is pushing for it with Mr. Brigden's quote of the political correctness issue being "f@#$ it". So there is hope. He did accidently let an additional gameplay feature go that the community has been clamoring for. I will not divulge that as he immediately tried to cover it, and I don't want my thread to get burned lol.  
 
 I also questioned Mr. Brigden regarding faction specialties. ie some factions are better at archers, some are better horsemen. He confirmed thats in. Which had me concerned as all of the Japanese factions practiced the same type of warfare for the most part. Additionally I asked about region specific bonuses to unit creation. ie Shogun 1 and Medieval 1, that is also in.  
 
  I wish I had more information on the campaign map, suffice to say they wanted it to be ready to show at PAX. It wasn't quite up to par for a presentation so it didn't make it. All I can tell ya is it's supposed to be a blend of the old skool map style with the newer Rome til Napoleon map style. 
 
 

" I came in expecting something new. Left with the bitter taste of disappointment... "

" @Death_Unicorn said:

" I came in expecting something new. Left with the bitter taste of disappointment... "

Honestly you cant do that much new with Shogun without ruining it. Personally I've always waited for a sequel to shogun, just to get it up to standard in regards to graphics and gameplay improvements. "

Looks terrible tbh. Looks exactly like Empire and might come out with as much as bugs. Im just waiting for Rome 2 or Medieval 3, I will skip this i think.

" @Chris_Ihao said:

" @Death_Unicorn said:

" I came in expecting something new. Left with the bitter taste of disappointment... "

Honestly you cant do that much new with Shogun without ruining it. Personally I've always waited for a sequel to shogun, just to get it up to standard in regards to graphics and gameplay improvements. "

I'm with you on that, remember when they tried something new? Stormrise? lol "

" @warxsnake: Lol. Yeah, I remember very well not playing it ;) 

@ned_flanders: Exactly like Empire? Ehh, no? You mean both have horses? "

" @Chris_Ihao said:

" @warxsnake: Lol. Yeah, I remember very well not playing it ;) 

@ned_flanders: Exactly like Empire? Ehh, no? You mean both have horses? "

Even the way the units just stand there is exactly the same animationwise. It looks like its going to be the same buggy wreck. Empire also has guns, Shogun is set in the ancient Japan era, dont know fi you knew that...they arent similar at all gameplay wise.  "

" @ned_flanders said:

" @Chris_Ihao said:

" @warxsnake: Lol. Yeah, I remember very well not playing it ;) 

@ned_flanders: Exactly like Empire? Ehh, no? You mean both have horses? "

Even the way the units just stand there is exactly the same animationwise. It looks like its going to be the same buggy wreck. Empire also has guns, Shogun is set in the ancient Japan era, dont know fi you knew that...they arent similar at all gameplay wise.  "

Ohhh. So you are talking about the animation system you obviously have no clue about? For your information they have doubled the amount of body elements to animate. Also, what did you expect when you have samurai standing attention? That they dance boogie while they wait?  (and what gave you the idea that I didnt know this game is from the feudal Japan era? You are the one making simplified but non-understandable statements here). Frankly I'm not telepathic and when you say that it "looks" like Empire I first and foremost reasoned that you meant "looks" like, not "got a similar animation" system or whatever.  Anyhow, time will show. Best we can do is hope it will turn out good. "

Bumping with a new battle report for those who have missed it.   
  

I got the collectors edition pre-ordered. I never played any of the first few total war games. I started with Empire and I liked it. I did not notice too many problems except for the lag in the grand campaign and the occasional crash. Napoleon was ok but I missed the grand campaign. I hope Shogun2 has a similar feel to Empire and Napoleon.

" I got the collectors edition pre-ordered. I never played any of the first few total war games. I started with Empire and I liked it. I did not notice too many problems except for the lag in the grand campaign and the occasional crash. Napoleon was ok but I missed the grand campaign. I hope Shogun2 has a similar feel to Empire and Napoleon. "

" I got the collectors edition pre-ordered. I never played any of the first few total war games. I started with Empire and I liked it. I did not notice too many problems except for the lag in the grand campaign and the occasional crash. Napoleon was ok but I missed the grand campaign. I hope Shogun2 has a similar feel to Empire and Napoleon. "

I had the Grand Master Edition pre-ordered but then realised that I have no need for a chess board no matter how cool it is.
 
@melcene said:

" @Phantom_Crash said:

" I got the collectors edition pre-ordered. I never played any of the first few total war games. I started with Empire and I liked it. I did not notice too many problems except for the lag in the grand campaign and the occasional crash. Napoleon was ok but I missed the grand campaign. I hope Shogun2 has a similar feel to Empire and Napoleon. "

Shit.  I should probably do that for the hubby.  He's played every game since the first, though he has lost his copy of the original Shogun. "

Oooh found our wedding anniversary present I think :)

Hmmm better yet perhaps (since I can't seem to get the chessboard AND the Takeda Shingen figurine in the same set), is this other set I found that includes the figurine, artbook, and this: