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[Deus ex Machina]

So, yeah, latest Total War game, coming out on the 15th March (10 god damn days after my birthday). Sequel to the original Shogun Total War (which was amazing), and hopefully will be even better. :p

Not all that much info on it yet that I could find, feel free to link me to some.

Shogun 2's Website
Facts Thread

Anyone else buying this?

Sadly, Toady hasn't replied to me about unlocking the other thread, so I have to bump this.

[Digital Hellhound]

I want this, but seriously doubt my computer could run it. Empire was already laggy enough.

[lordcooper]

I want this, but seriously doubt my computer could run it. Empire was already laggy enough.

That doesn't mean too much.

Empire is laggy to the point of being unplayable on my PC, yet Napoleon (its successor) runs like a dream.

[Shades]

Isn't it called Total War: Shogun 2

[Cthulhu]

Isn't it called Total War: Shogun 2

It is not.

[DFNewb]

Wow the system specs are really low for this game:

    Minimum Specs (Required for playing Total War: Shogun 2):

    * 2 GHz Intel Dual Core processor / 2.6 GHz Intel Single Core processor , or AMD equivalent (with SSE2) * 1GB RAM (XP), 2GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
    * 256 MB DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics card (shader model 3)
    * 1024×768 minimum screen resolution
    * 20GB free hard disk space

    Recommended Specs (Recommended for optimum game play of Total War: Shogun 2):

    * 2nd Generation Intel Core™i5 processor (or greater), or AMD equivalent
    * 2GB RAM (XP), 4GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
    * AMD Radeon HD 5000 and 6000 series graphics cards or equivalent DirectX 11 compatible graphics card
    * 1280×1024 minimum screen resolution
    * 20GB free hard disk space

Also they are calling it Total War: Shogun 2 now, no clue why tho.

[Shades]

    * 2 GHz Intel Dual Core processor / 2.6 GHz Intel Single Core processor , or AMD equivalent (with SSE2) * 1GB RAM (XP), 2GB RAM (Vista / Windows7)
    * 256 MB DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics card (shader model 3)
    * 1024×768 minimum screen resolution
    * 20GB free hard disk space

I imagine that you'll be unable to have decent armies sizes or graphic settings with that. If Napoleon is anything to go by I doubt it'll even be playable. I wish companies would have a minimum playable spec rather than the game will start at this spec

[umiman]

I dunno why they've been releasing those Starcraft 2-esque battle commentaries but the only battles they showcase are extremely rigged fights against AI... with the human players playing like... well... crap.

Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxuAdPFOF8s

I'm not sure what we're supposed to glean from things like that.

[scriver]

From their website:

New Generation AI system:

Developed according to Sun Tzu’s principles in the Art of War, the Artificial Intelligence constantly analyses its situation and reacts to your every move with greater precision and variety.

Didn't they say the exact same thing about Empire? Except that game was being modelled after Napoleon's tactics. Since it turned out the "world's greatest tactician's" two most favourite manoeuvres were 'Pit fight" and "Getting Stuck Three Metres in Front of the Enemy", so excuse me if I view that statement with some suspicion.

Also, this:

New character progression:

Choose from 9 different clans and compete on and offline for the undisputed supremacy of Medieval Japan. Gain experience to level up your own character-warlord as well as your generals and agents.

Hasn't this been in every Total War game (I can't remember Shogun well enough to say if it were in it as well, though, but the other one's I can)? I can't help but get a bad feeling about a game's content when they're marketing features previously considered so attached to the series they didn't need a mention as something new. Doesn't bode well.

[lordcooper]

I interpret the second quote to be referring to the fact that you now actually have some say in the traits your generals gain.  I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that you'll be able to spend experience on new traits.  It also seems to insinuate that you get to have your own avatar (warlord) ingame, and can level them up via multiplayer.

EDIT:  My internet is being a jerk right now, so I'm only half way through that video.  The AI seems vastly improved, (especially seeing as it is a pre beta trailer) in that it is actually attacking sensibly, from many different angles.  Unit cohesion also seems a lot higher with the individual soldiers sticking in formation when being ordered to move in weird angles, rather than getting the bizarre stragglers and different speeds of the games predeccessors.

[scriver]

I interpret the second quote to be referring to the fact that you now actually have some say in the traits your generals gain.  I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that you'll be able to spend experience on new traits.  It also seems to insinuate that you get to have your own avatar (warlord) ingame, and can level them up via multiplayer.

After reviewing the wording, it does seem to be the way you say. It seems a bit obvious in afterthought. Here's to hoping such characterization goes in the game.
I don't know about Multiplayer, though. If I'm not mistaken, the single-player campaign warlord/clan leader is supposed to serve as the players avatar more in Shogun than in previous games. Hence, levelling him up yourself would be a logical step... I kinda forgot where I was going with this, but I think the major point was covered.

EDIT:  My internet is being a jerk right now, so I'm only half way through that video.  The AI seems vastly improved, (especially seeing as it is a pre beta trailer) in that it is actually attacking sensibly, from many different angles.  Unit cohesion also seems a lot higher with the individual soldiers sticking in formation when being ordered to move in weird angles, rather than getting the bizarre stragglers and different speeds of the games predeccessors.

This, I wouldn't be so sure of. There's no telling whether that was a scripted or a "real" battle. I wouldn't put it past CA to fake it, they did it before when hyping Empire and there's no reason for them not to do it again.

[lordcooper]

EDIT:  My internet is being a jerk right now, so I'm only half way through that video.  The AI seems vastly improved, (especially seeing as it is a pre beta trailer) in that it is actually attacking sensibly, from many different angles.  Unit cohesion also seems a lot higher with the individual soldiers sticking in formation when being ordered to move in weird angles, rather than getting the bizarre stragglers and different speeds of the games predeccessors.

This, I wouldn't be so sure of. There's no telling whether that was a scripted or a "real" battle. I wouldn't put it past CA to fake it, they did it before when hyping Empire and there's no reason for them not to do it again.

Fair enough, I'll remain optimistic though

Either way, troops can scale the rock walls without ladders now.  That's pretty cool.

EDIT: As are the morale bars.

[Farseer]

On faked movies: There've been a few troubles with the "battle reports" I've been watching, like archers pausing completely whilst they get ran over by cavalry (they stop about five to ten seconds before the cavalry hit them, then get bowled over like pins), the AI not "noticing" things humans would do etc etc.

[dogstile]

The walls being useless thing annoys me. I realise only lighter troops can get across but what's to stop me from just using a full stack of 20 light troops and rushing the centre aside from limiting myself from that strategy?

[jnecros]

I do like that in the gameplay video (with commentary) the units did basic stand closer together and not get spread out all strangely like they do in MTW2. I understand why they did the demo at night, to show off the lighting, but it made it hard to see what the units looked like. I hope units are not a bunch of clones, I liked MTW for having wide individual differences in the models and equipment.

All claims on AI being good can safely be tossed aside IMO..all total war games have crap AI without mods, this one will be no different.

I am interested in seeing a siege battle, becuase that is when all the worst stuff happens, bad pathing and falling out of useful formations ect. The true test of CA's ability to make true unit cohesion is in city/fort battles, even Empire, which was better in this reguard than MTW2, had major issues when it came to taking and holding fortress walls.

I hope they keep and expand on Empire's economic buildings, the ones that could be raided and lay outside of the town/city. I have not seen CA mention anything about this yet myself.

Lastly, keeping fingers crossed aginst ridiculous units like the burning pigs in Rome and the assassins from MTW2.