Total War: Shogun 2 | Samurai Game Review

[@Mogo-jan]

I played a chosokabe campaign where after conquering most of eastern japan I shifted focus to trade and increasing income. Eventually I started to fund small clans at war with my enemies so I could keep their armies divided. No other game has given me this type of experience

[@DoctorDeath147]

Don't forget to commit some war crimes every then and there peko

[@DoctorDeath147]

Don't forget to commit some war crimes every then and there peko

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

Imagine a rabbit becoming a Shogun in Sengoku Era Japan peko

[@neymarmessironaldo5881]

they dont need your money. AI cheats nevertheless and is able to build stacks from nothing. only thing you did was improve relations with them

[@KyoushaPumpItUp]

@@DoctorDeath147 Ah, I see. You're a Nousagi of culture as well, peko.

[@Shinra_Soldier]

Best total war game ever! Almost 1000 hours played with no end in sight 👍

[@PropagandalfderWeiße]

I have 1094.2h played. that's like one and a half months or to be precise (I calculated it really) 0.52992825772936% of my life. Not wasted at all ^^

[@ludvigskalberg4351]

Over 3000 hours here

[@Shinra_Soldier]

@@ludvigskalberg4351 3 years later and that's about where I'm at now too, still no end in sight!

[@Cyno45]

To All Shogun II player, I would HIGHLY recommand you to play with the mod Master of Strategy ( MOSS ) wich greaaaaatly improve the whole game ( more tech, more troop, more city, accurate Daimyio/clans/generals, etc.. ) It gave the game a second breath and I would classify it as the equivalent of Fall of the Samurai in term of gameplay add-on.

[@darrenegan3891]

❤

[@Ryuko-T72]

Is it on the steam workshop or another website?

[@revolutionchronique]

3 years later... yes, a thank you from me as well. I just bought the Shogun 2 Total War Collection (was poor back as a kid so I had to pirate it), and knowing there's such a nice mod is a breath of fresh air. The vanilla game is beyond just "solid", but having something for a returning player is superb. :)

[@CarlosEduardoBruno-hp5bc]

@@revolutionchronique on my current campaign, i have over 20 mods installed, so take your time and look for more awesome mods on the workshop, its worth the effort. personal advice tho, look for "strongholds of the samurai" it changes vanilla castles in siege battles for much better ones, and "saya and ebira" sheath and quiver mod. EDIT: i think Master of Strategy already changes the castles and adds the sheath and quiver, still, take a look at the workshop most downloaded mods, theres lots of good stuff in there.

[@AoShinden]

Dude why the f do you just have 256 Subscribers? your videos are quality

[@TheShogunate]

Thank You!

[@orbo4438]

what this comment is just 1 year old?? damn

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

@@TheShogunate Hope you can continue growing!

[@Velkan1396]

Damn he's come a long way

[@theamorphousflatsch2699]

this changed quickly

[@Corgilius]

In Shogun 2 there is a Mod on steam of which allows 22 clans to be playable and the map to be much more divided up to be about 200 regions.

[@dimas3829]

Avatar conquest was the best multiplayer option ever in the Total war games.

[@YuriPRIMErpg]

This game is a masterpiece. All the flaws are outweighed by so much quality oozing from every aspect. The art style is just mindblowing, the details from something as simple as unit cards, or main strategic map, the little lanterns your troops use to fight during night, iluminating the area giving this amazing spectacle, the music, flavored voice acting, my god... You know, that's not even my favorite period or favorite game in the series, but I must give CA, this is their most stellar quality production, most feature complete for it's price and just an exemplar entry into the series. This is Creative Assembly at it's finest, giving their best in every department - regardless of the outcomes, one can't deny they genuinely gave a damn.

[@mingyuhuang8944]

You said it so well. 100% agree.

[@jackstone112]

thx for the mod suggestion !

[@konsta245]

Great review! I agree especially with the lack of Samurai leaders, they really coud've expanded on that. Also, one of the most negative points about the game (still present in current TW games, sadly) is the lack of a good and reliable diplomacy system. I know that back stabbing was quite usual in that time period, but treaties don't mean anything in this game - and when the AI breaks them, they get no penalties whatsoever (contrary to the player). And it's especially bad, on realm divide! But overall, like you said, I think that Creative Assembly has brought so many new and interesting mechanics, based on that time period, that they just nailed it. The setting, the graphics, land battles, unit design, animations, soundtrack, etc... was prime quality. Def the most polished TW game to date.

[@Naraku-no-Hana-WE]

Man I really wish we could merge Nobunaga's Ambition's grand strategy elements with Shogun 2's battles.

[@421less1]

After playing total war three kingdoms it gives me hope they might look at shogun total war 3 with alot of the character aspects of Tw3k. Having some famous samurai of the era come available or just get flushed out into legendary characters like in 3k would be awesome. Lots of flexibility for dlc and freelc and making each campaign unique. Warhammer 3 is the first trilogy in total war and I'd be suprised if they did shogun before total war, but we can always dream.

[@enzo991_]

Just discovered this channel. Great review and I definitely agree that while Shogun 2 is a great game, it's definitely lacking in terms of actually representing the historical figures of the Sengoku Jidai. As a fan of the Toyotomi, this is especially disappointing. I feel a Shogun 3 made in the same style as Three Kingdoms would be nothing short of perfect. Fantastic work. I'll be looking forward to your new videos.

[@christopheralfonsocastro1523]

Youre in luck. The Sekigahara Campaign mod features the Toyotomi and other 1598 Clans

[@kampfkatze6092]

Definatly agree with you, 3K style RPG/Character mechanics would be a great match with the setting, also the ability to choose different starting year would allow for even more replay value and the ability to correctly represent different aspect of the Sengoku period. The coalitions would work also. The only thing is that i would much prefer the matched combat animation compare to the current system which breaks the immersion. We can still hope for a sequel but i would be more than happy with a simple remaster with the current engine version !

[@kampfkatze6092]

Just discovered your channel and all the great content your are providing to us. Thank you for your time and dedication, I subscribe right away!

[@Moeman774746]

Haha! YES! I didn't expect this video! I'm currently playing as Tokugawa, it's 1551. I am still a vassal to the Imagawa clan. But probably for not much longer hehe. The Uesugi are wanting to pick a fight with me right now, which is odd because the Uesugi and Imagawa are allied. But if I have learned nothing else from your videos (which is to say I've learned SOOO much I didn't know about feudal Japan from your videos) it is that treacherous alliances were most definitely a thing.

[@TheShogunate]

Don't Trust Anyone!

[@Biodelic]

Thank you for this great video. Ahh, hell, thank you very much for all your awesome videos.

[@Jurgir09]

It's summer, 2021. And "Shogun 2" is still the best Total war game. I wish they made Medieval 3 now

[@bustowski]

Don,t for the God sake no.They will take the new hp system , the new bugs , the no working wall physix , no ships at all and sell it as Medieval 3.

[@argentest]

I would like to see the review for the Crusader Kings 2 mod called "Nova Monumenta Iaponiae Historica", which simulates the Sengoku period and Genpei war. Thanks for the great content: )

[@kamikazoo6599]

There is game by paradox called Sengoku.

[@jeffcurrey8765]

Good review- I agree with most of your points, but have found that you can retain allies deep into the game even after realm divide. Marriage, and giving gifts through the diplomatic process keeps them close longer.

[@TheShogunate]

That is true but it doesn't change the fact that the realm divide will still be endlessly chipping away at your relations regardless.

[@AlfonsoTheTraitor]

I don't play any video games but I will admit that this Total War: Shogun 2 looks pretty cool indeed. I am glad I have a Mac just because most games don't come in Mac. That would interfere with my 28mm Samurai wargaming . I am getting off track. I just want to say that this is a great review as far as a historical wargame. Thanks!

[@alexmurphy5289]

Great video man, never played one of these games and I'll be buying this for my new laptop

[@TheShogunate]

Hope you like it!

[@thevenbede767]

I know most people won't agree with me because it seems that people hate the newer total war games but I'd love for a shogun total war with characters that work like three kingdoms. Doesn't have to have battles like it though.

[@sidrareatherford478]

Thank you. I'm considering buying this because my pc can't run the warhammer games but I want to dip my toes into the total war franchise

[@panzerlurch2629]

Good choice, Shogun 2 is by far the more superior game to Warhammer!👍

[@jacobcantrell82]

Otomo launching a crusade led by Portuguese tercios to unite Japan under the cross will always be one of my favorite TW campaigns.

[@tenchimuyo69]

Realm Divide was handled a bit better in Fall of the Samurai. In fact, this system could theoretically be used to simulate a sekigahara campaign far better than the vanilla's version of RD. (Because if exempts factions of your allegiance (which is basically just repurposed religion) from the Realm Divide mechanics, turning the Realm Divide into what feels like a proper civil war.

[@nemesis3587]

I introduced Total War series with Rome Total War and its still one of my all time favorite. Didn't looked any other ones years after Rome Total war but recently I got three total war titles thanks to huge discount Medieval 2, Shogun 2 and Empire total war. Medieval is mostly similar to Rome, didn't played much yet. Empire is really different and didn't liked it first but I got used to mechanics and I'm start to enjoy. Shogun 2 is really weird. I really liked mechanics but man this game is brutal. Started with Oda Clan (highest tier in lists and of course for spirit of era reasons). I try to figure out mechanics but Tokugawa constantly attacks me. I beat its army and chased it to destroy but suddenly second army arrived out of nowhere and got Owari. I suprised how sudden it happened. Started again defeated Tokugawa attacks and tried to make political marriage like history but the problem is both Nobunaga and Noh didn't come out age and Saito clan didn't last long in both playthrough. Freaking Inabayama easily falls to Hatono's hands. Anyway got good relation with Hatono, beat Tokugawa attacks and Imagawa Yoshimoto came with army (like come on, its not close to 1560), defeated and killed him than I attacked Mikawa and destroyed Tokugawa, Nobunaga come out the age but suddenly a huge Ikko-ikki army arriwed and captured Owari, killed Nobunaga and Nobuhide. The game is absurdly brutal and you shouldn't expect any historical accuracy. Like Saito, Shimazu and Mori destroyed so early. Next time I'm not gonna try any historical path :D . I got Romance of Three Kingdoms 13 as well the sister series of Nobunaga's Ambition. Wow, its really good if it is that good Nobunaga's Ambition is as good as it as well. Waiting for price drop.

[@maggor7269]

I started total war with the first shogun. But I started my Shogun experience with the game Shogun for my Commodore Amiga. Same game as Total war just 13 years sooner. But all the same elements for the most part. Grand map to move pieces and then rts for the battles and sieges. Also one of the best anti pirate mechanics ever, if you copied the second disk you got attacked by ninjas endlessly till your char died.

[@greendalf123]

In the newer Warhammer total wars, there are these things called regiments of renown. It could be cool to have famous samurai heroes leading a unit specifically named after them with specific abilities of buffs. Or, like in Warhammer, recruit them as legendary lords who have more specializations.

[@Xth3Z]

Watching this while playing Shogun 2. 😁 Played Total War games since the very first, being Shogun Total War.

[@khal7702]

Total War: Shogun was amazing! Total War: Shogun II is a masterpiece!!

[@Cdre_Satori]

Yeah, my experience of Shogun 2 was greatly improved with mods that remove or delay realm divide as I feel the mechanic is just a jolt of harder difficulty antiplayer bias. And I couldn't enjoy seeing that every single time in FoTS the non-player factions switch to the opposite side just to pile on the player.

[@richardsnodgrass8647]

I quit playing this game after two year's of play. BUT I agree that there should be more clans added. MANY more. Then just let a player fight it out. And for multi-player it seems that this idea would work. So as when a player is defeated that person would have to join your force and pay taxes. I am just so happy to finally see someone that thinks the same thing. Why would it not work? I do not know. TW: S2 would have to rethink their direction. Not likely. :-(

[@hyakuzi7082]

@The Shogunate theres a mod where you can play multiple clans and more land to conquer (expanded map)

[@RetroSmoo]

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is quite a nice game too. You can set the language to Japanese also

[@marleyjr00]

Shogun 2 is one of my fave total war games. It legit let's me do things the way I would if I was a warlord in the Sengoku. I'll admit original Rome Total War is what made me love rts games.

[@dreysantillan]

This game got me hooked in Japanese history Specially in that period And ever since then I've been hungry for more I am even writing a fictional historical story based and inspired in the sengoku jidai. I've poured so so many hours into this game And I am recently into modding the game with 0 coding experience or computer science background in hopes to add my clans to the story I'm writing And boy oh boy so far it's giving me headaches

[@orbo4438]

keep it up man!

[@dreysantillan]

@@orbo4438 thanks! Will get back on modding again someday Got stuffs to do as well

[@mackycabangon8945]

me making my own sengoku board game is what got me hooked on this :P

[@dreysantillan]

@@mackycabangon8945 did you post a pic of it somewhere? That'll be cool to see

[@herman1francis]

This game is the reason we Might never get a total war : shogun 3. To justify me buying it they would have to outdo themselves, and this game is such a masterpiece that outdoing it would require a team of pure genius.

[@PseudonymsAreGovnoYaEbalGoogle]

They could just copy Shogun 2, only giving it better graphics, more factions and actually good siege battles what doesn't suck.

[@herman1francis]

@@PseudonymsAreGovnoYaEbalGoogle that could be a way to do it

[@katahajimeudegarame2397]

realm divide can be removed with a mod, when you add that mod, shogun 2 becomes the perfect game.

[@craigmason9893]

Just saw the be a cyber punk ad holy crap looks good

[@iraklyoda5947]

Guys, it's free on steam till 1may and it will stay in library forever!!!

[@CptSlow89]

Rome 1 and Medieval 2, best times.

[@DEVAEGIR]

You really missed out by starting playing from Medieval 2 onwards. You had "historical heroes" in 'Medieval 1', and you could easily replace them or add more, creating and inserting portraits for them, modifying starting traits. Historical kings too. Pretty cool stuff. And the first 'Shogun TW' was also marvellous. (I am evidently older than you, and I started earlier.) Yes, the graphics are ancient, but it was such a solid game, and a real tableturner when it came out. And the assassination cut-scenes!? "You ain't never seen anything like this." Ah, good times... Now, with this, yes, I agree, 'Shogun 2 TW' is the best of all TW games to date, even if it is arcady. I do not mind many of its weak points, many of them are necessary, other could have been avoided, but are not annoying... well, not much. If I were to remove something, that would be the katana units, which was way too blatant a faux pas, almost insulting. Otherwise, it achieves a very good balance between retaining some historicity, and being also faithful to the conventions of the form. This is especially so in the FOTS expansion, integrating, one way or another, many historical elements, even schematically. And it's damn fun to play! Do you know Slitherine's 'Sengoku Jidai'? I haven't seen a review of it here yet, which is a bit strange. A very neat game, actually, though totally different in style. Difficult. Aesthetically pleasing, nicely stylised. Battles only, more or less, chess-like, but can be very rewarding.

[@syndicalist-0]

Hey man I'd love to see what you think about this games "10th anniversary" mod set that changes the look completely. I think its pretty accurate athletically, at least more than the base game, but you should check it out.

[@alexanderk5522]

Played it recently, visual part and whole atmosphere are really something, but AI and MP balance are annoying... when 2 years after start (about 8 turns) one fujuwara declares war on another fujiwara family for no apparent reason, or when allied clans start robbing sea trade routes without any diplomacy penalties it destroys all willing to play further. Back time it was probably less crucial but it becomes harder and harder to turn a blind eye on all stupid AI moves happening all the time

[@bustowski]

It was the first Total War with resources that you needet to build up some buldings with the best UA and best AI to this day on.With the best game system for the difficulty levels (not like the joke TW Total War 1/2 and 3 to come) With good variety of units (yes most of the special units will be newer seen by the majority of players due to the science skill tree level that you need to recruit them - but you can mod this out) But in the end they are in the game and in reallity you have what 100 units ?? Some unique some copypaste types.And Shogun 2 has to this day on the best naval battles , the best siege battels and overall the best landbattels of all TW games (And the best multiplayes with your own avatar , skill sets , map , unique units , you can even customises how your avatar looks.

[@fachriyulfiansyah1927]

Hideyoshi is in the game file. I think he is in Historical Battle, idk tho. There is also a "Western Alliance"? clan iirc to represent the enemy of Tokugawa in Sekigahara historical battle.

[@karentiger5117]

Yep and it’s free to get until may 1st. Due to covid-19

[@machaiping]

To be fair to Realm Divide, I think it was added as a solution to the complaints of boring late game in previous Total War games, where the players has controlled over enough settlements and resources that they can steamroll any faction they came across one by one until they reached the victory condition. At that point, the AI factions will no longer pose any challenge as they were still squabbling with one another, draining their resources and leave themselves weakened against the player's grand army. Another solution that's not Realm Divide to this dilemma IMO is slabbing the AI with copious amount of cheats that even Trash Light Novel Isekai Protagonists become green with envy. But that will open a host of new problems about cheating AI instead. I'd say Realm Divide is the better choice compared to that one. Also, Fall of the Samurai version of Realm Divide no longer alienate your allies and vassals too.

[@DeclanCahill91]

I like the realm divide. I've never survived it. Not a big player, very casual. I always see it as your puppet states see a chance to back stab you... A bit like Britain counting on Irish support lol

[@monikawalker2402]

Dude explore samurai games on ps2. I'd love to hear your thoughts on onimusha, and genji

[@MarvinT0606]

Rise of the Samurai is more accurate in terms of unit scaling- even for the Sengoku Campaign. There were far more Ashigaru than Samurai in all Sengoku armies. TCA got it right that individual Samurai were officers and cavalry units were made up of them *BUT* there shouldn't have been mobs of Samurai in the hundreds that, although smaller than Ashigaru units, are still far too many to be realistic.

[@Masternaldo]

This game will be free to keep on steam in 2 weeks

[@deathtoraiden2080]

Is that red and green on the flags of the Portuguese ship? Big OOOF

[@danitiborc868]

I disagree about the AI not being smarter the harder the difficulty is set. The harder it is the more extra perks they get. Have u aver seen a full on AI Yari wall with the ability to rotate lines depending on the number and morale of units on normal? I don't think so.

[@chainedsharkmedia2699]

I really enjoyed Total War Shogun 2. Heck, what's sad is that Shogun 2 overshadowed the original Shogun game by a LOT. However, there are some problems. The honor system is cool on paper...but it gets really annoying (especially when a Daimyo dies of old age or in battle or assassinations in rare occassions)) and its historically inaccurate since Daimyo and their armies used night attacks, ambushes, and many other brutal tactics. Im also puzzled by the fact gunpowder isn't dominant. Don't get me wrong...I love Bow Warrior Monks but Muskets should also be around too in most occassions; sadly, the AI rarely use muskets and use mainly bow, cavalry, and infantry. I really hope CA is focusing on Shogun 3 and improving Shogun 2 while keeping some of things that made Shogun 2 awesome and fun.

[@jackthunderbolt4307]

My only experience with these games directly is watching some cutscenes. Why does the date leader not have an eyepatch?

[@Ryuko-T72]

After HOI4 this is one of my most played games. I think I have around 8-900 hours in it. Love fall of the samurai the most however, and just won a campaign with Saga

[@mitismee]

I still play shogun 2 with mods till these day especially for campaign with the 90+ region mod . Playing as Uesugi clan tho. Invade Korea and almost unite all the land but i guess i gave up because it's took me too long but whatever I'll finish it when im not lazy anymore lol ;)) uniting all 90+ region during quarantine isn't one day task folk. I can only take 4-5 region a day lol

[@dabo5078]

Hah usually in my campaigns I fight one or 2 large battles than just do a gemran blitzkrieg through the provinces. (In the bigger games (Shogun2 ai on harder difficulties meant you have to blitz or you get obliterated by cheating ai army spam stacks) I get to plan offensives with army groups so it goes pretty fast.)

[@someguyhasachanal]

Is it true that Katana Samurai aren't historically accurate? As in, Samurai using Katana in battle, as opposed to just carrying them around.

[@TheShogunate]

It really depends on the situation, Katanas of course better for close up engagements. Samurai would have likely relied upon Yari spears before resorting to their Katana (that is if they even decided to carry a spear). So it's not really that inaccurate. Now Ashigaru wielding Katanas that's a bit more far fetched.

[@PhazeyBlur]

@stephen schneider afaik, all katanas are curved, except ninja swords which are shorter 'chokuto' (straight blade, one-edged). on the battlefield, katana is usually the back-up weapon. most samurai uses yari or naginata or bow as their main weapon as they can reach further hence killing their enemies first before they can get near. But once it's close-combat or when their main weapon is damaged, the katana is used.

[@SOLINVCTVS]

@stephen schneider Tachi were used by cavalry during the sengoku period as a sword better suited for cav cause they were generally longer.

[@SOLINVCTVS]

@stephen schneider np bro

[@JRCOBRA]

I have yet to finish a total war game

[@mrvietnam3985]

You can get a mod on moddb which allows you to play all of the clans available in game as long as all other mods you have don’t conflict with the provinces and map www.moddb.com/mods/shogun-2-mini-mods-by-sara-temer/downloads/all-factions-playable-v10

[@agustinc.368]

Yess

[@Osvath97]

You know that you have played this game quite a lot when you immediately recognise which battle (even though there are essentially no pre-determined battles in the campaign) you recorded. The first battle people usually go as as Takeda, against the Murakami army invading, by attacking them at the place they start at, but you apparently left Takeda Shingen behind.

[@yungfiend6830]

High difficulty AI in strategy games tends to have this problem of not being smart, just trying to brute force their way to conquering you.

[@williamhowe1]

Anything less would be a shamefur dispray.

[@jamespaguip5913]

You know your units use explosive rockets

[@Quincy_Morris]

Sword of The Samurai isn’t a bad samurai game.

[@xTopG]

Removes squad chats after 1 decade, "MINOR UPDATE"

[@TheShogunate]

RIP

[@fedda9999]

you forgot Hattori Hanzo

[@theone1449]

play sekiro

[@thanksmaybe4103]

Empire was dope