Another update from the flurry of news released since Christmas.
First up; Gamestar, the German gaming magazine released four new Shogun 2 videos on their disc (see our dedicated threadhere). Inside the magazine which accompanied this disc was a preview, translated below by Google for your reading pleasure.
The reviewer, Al Bickham, goes on to say he was fooled by a feint attack the AI carried out as he defended the three tiered castle.see here).
To finish Al Bickham recaps the multiplayer clan integration and avatar customisation we already know about, but to finish here is a quote that sounded nice about the seasons:
A f t y
A A R S
:: The Sun always rises in the East :: Flawless Crowns :: Dancing Days ::
"We kissed the Sun, and it smiled down upon us."
First up; Gamestar, the German gaming magazine released four new Shogun 2 videos on their disc (see our dedicated thread
Quoted from Gamestar magazine:
Siege Chapter 1
The first siege of Total War: Shogun 2 is equal to a real challenge. The enemy General Naganata no bones about being bombed and our fortress, with its catapults. We think the bombing was to activate the special ability fire arrow and even hisses and hums the first deadly volley into the sky.
Total War: Shogun 2: Japanese fortresses become death zones. So the enemy is thinned as much as possible right up until the final battle in the ring is the last defense. Japanese fortresses become death zones. So the enemy is thinned as much as possible right up until the final battle in the ring is the last defense. The arrows coated with pitch, bore into the body of the enemy that can stagger the first two rows. Also will be a volley behind, but the special power needs time to recharge. So get down from the walls, because Naganata brings his heavy artillery in position. Fire projectiles hit into the walls and leave the wooden towers of the East Gate in flames. Arrows buzz, bullets whistle, and make the entire front section of the wall impassable.
We are flabbergasted. Because, finally, the AI seems in a game of Total War series to respond actively to our tactics. AI commander Naganata has realized that it would be a quick thrust of his infantry have massive losses. So he can take hold, bringing his artillery into position and wants to keep us from constant fire for cover.
His problem: The range of our archers is increased by the towers, so he has no chance to protect his catapults. So he must push forward and lose in our deadly hail of arrows each 55-strong Yari three units, ie spearmen. We rejoice to fight against strong opponents, just brings the best sense of achievement.Siege Chapter 2
Generally functioned siege battles in feudal Japan as in the European Middle Ages. "Fighting was mostly on the field. The forts were used primarily as places of refuge for a stricken army, not like this country "as a bulwark to protect a certain area, explains lead designer Jamie Ferguson.
Shogun 2: Total War failures are rarely a good idea. Around fast and surprisingly off elite units of the enemy. Failures are rarely a good idea. Around fast and surprisingly off elite units of the enemy. "That the history of the country has done: A battle was regarded as an honorable, if the troops were facing eye to eye." Then he tells of the different layers of defense of the castles and shows us a copy with no fewer than five defensive rings. We are surprised, why not beat back the enemy the same, but only let in the fortress? We will soon learn better.
Because the walls are very low, climb the monkey over and nimble attackers such as massacre of our precious archers down easy. Therefore, it is clever, the initial rush to ward off massive arrow attack and then withdraw his archers in the second ring. In our case Naganatas troops break slightly over the first wall, but are then blocked by our infantry. In particular, the Naginata Warrior are effective because their sword lance is long enough to effectively riders to get from their steeds, but also sharp enough to be in close combat hand-to-man to cut through necks, like a warm knife through butter.Siege Chapter 3
Easier said than done. You are in Total War: Shogun 2 usually defend fortresses, which are very large and difficult to overlook. It is impossible to cover all the walls with archers, so we have to use our strategic shooter.
Total War: Shogun 2: A siege from the air: the enemy attacks simultaneously from three directions. A siege from the air: the enemy attacks simultaneously from three directions. The best place is a central large regiment to protect the infantry in the middle defense rings and then send small units accessible to where heat is on. For our audition, we have tentatively decided not to make any bow our units a troop of infantry support. Because this weakens the strength of our army and thinned considerably from the main army too much.
Creative Assembly has filed heavily on the AI and the pathfinding. Most of our archers can quickly find the way to the next wall. The escapees, however, going just down the stairs and thus shorten want to be, almost immediately cut down by Naganatas ground troops. The biggest challenge is already in it, somehow to keep the overview.
For considerably less than about soldiers fighting in Empire or Napoleon, but the fortifications are extensive and difficult to predict the outcome of the battle. So we triumphed after a few successful campaigns, infected by the fascinating atmosphere Shogun: "Yes, we beat the dogs Naganatas to flight."
But Ferguson joked: "Look in the northwest, I see lots of red dots. And he's right: The enemy general has silently maneuvered over a quarter of his force in our rear. The rest is carnage. A Japanese proverb says: "You learn little from a win but a lot" of defeat. We at least know now that we make in the future more on the map and protect our flanks must better.
Quoted from Gamestar magazine:
Multiplayer: Co-op Campaign
Total War: Shogun 2 will be split into three parts: The single player campaign, a co-op campaign for two generals and a completely new online mode, where created, each player, as in a role-play a character that specializes in developing and his troops.
The co-op campaign is different in that two players want to jointly achieve the power in the kingdom of Japan. For this, the allies zuschustern similar to each other as resources such as Warcraft 3 or exchange before a real battle with armies of lively back and forth.
Thus, if a commander has a good knack for infantry and cavalry formations, while the other could post the archers and generals use the sense that they are fully to exploit battlefield bonuses. Or a defense takes over strategic locations and lets his main army behind the front line, while the other is the enemy, exhausted by minor, but annoying attacks, the attack force and are so drawn into a trap.
Play video Total War: Shogun 2: Video of the siege battles in Shogun 2 video to the siege battles in Shogun 2
Live Online. Fights way.
As for our visit to Creative Assembly, the lead multiplayer designer Ian Roxburgh enters the room, we have not expected that he would need a good two hours for us to explain the new online mode. And he seems to have only scratched the surface.
Let's go with the choice of an avatar. Size of the chin to cheekbone to the distance between the ears is typical role-playing everything matched exactly. In Japan the 16th Century marked by elaborate ornamentation, the samurai armor and precious their rank in society. Ergo, you are in the course of the online campaign, hundreds swords, helmets and armor can unlock. The latter are decorated with a very extensive editor. Contains symbols such as snakes, dragons or clan badges and will be increased according to rank in the game ever.Character editor
Total War: Shogun 2: For the multiplayer delivers a versatile editor with Creative Assembly. Here we make our avatar ...Character Editor
For the multiplayer delivers a versatile editor with Creative Assembly. Here we make our avatar ...
Shogun 2: Total War ... and create distinctive symbols and ornaments.Ornament Editor
... and create distinctive symbols and ornaments.
Similar to All Points Bulletin or the Need for Speed series, every single detail will be designed as desired color. Our character is wearing a silver armor and a magnificent helmet to complete the front swings a sparkling blood red dragon. Exciting: For the first time in the series, there will be an online leaderboard. Who leads the table of the best generals may bear the most beautiful helmet of a shogun.
The history of Japan to rewrite
We start on a card and have only a small contingent of cavalry, infantry and archers, and must expand our sphere. For this we must logically attack the multiplayer opponents.
If we are victorious, is the particular province and we schalteen either dojo, so free supply bases for infantry, cavalry, archers, samurai, or artillery. Or get tickets but that special bonuses for General and army. Clever players put their way a tactic plan to conquer first as soon as possible a port and ships with armies of true quality in anywhere on the map. While we can choose the land route, which is however considerably more laborious and takes more troops.
And why does it work? "We want to give the player a reason to fight online. We'll leave the history of Japan "rewrite. The idea is clever and is expected to quickly fill the online server. In addition, Creative Assembly here has a whole army of ideas up his sleeve. This ranges from an elaborate clan system with voice chat to the bonus cards, which should really bring a lot of tactical depth to the online slaughter.
Another preview I'm privy to is present in this month's upcoming PC Gamer UK. Over the course of the 3 page spread dedicated to Shogun 2 the magazine reinforces much of what we already know, including some of their own experiences on the siege battle we've already seen.Quoted from Gamestar magazine:
Reward: Bonus Card
By winning, we will not only supply troops, but can unlock a skill tree and active and passive bonuses. Divided into four areas: leadership, marksmanship, physical strength, and the tackle.
Shogun 2: Total War fire arrows must be approved by our staff through bonus points. Fire arrows must be approved by our staff through bonus points.
A general high leadership motivates his troops and get them to the maximum to get off out everything. We can increase such as the moral radius or special skills to use. The "fight to the last man" form a defensive line to the soldiers and their general fight to the death. An alternative would be to strengthen his own body guard to protect better and more actively intervene in the battle.
Who is on the other hand, increased accuracy, especially the range of his archers. Which can ignite their arrows and break as the morale of the enemy. Turn arrows can be developed in different types of materials: barbs are particularly nasty because they can drill deep into the flesh, leaving gaping wounds upon removal. The victim will die. Who pulls the other hand, against heavily armored samurai to war is more likely to arrows with narrow leaf-shaped tip at its maximum speed to penetrate armor.
Total War: Shogun 2: Pure and out again. You might want to switch at any time from the single-player campaign in multiplayer. AND OUT. You might want to switch at any time from the single-player campaign in multiplayer. Particularly exciting is when you have enough points to unlock the highest special abilities. For example, in order to hide in a wooded area and shooting the enemy undetected to take under fire. This camouflaged units namely not appear on the battle map.
Power and battle the other hand, are, of course, and should be best combined. While one soldier makes the fire under the butt, the other can strike them harder and increases the chance of a critical and so deadly results. Exciting: Depending on the class that can unlock these bonuses for regular troops. To do this, such as a troop transport for the veteran archer unit. Which can then draw on the same bonuses as the general, one could theoretically form an elite unit of archers. Would be covered by the spear men, we could generate a kind of walking fortress. By the way, nice and painted with a demonic decorations, as well as veterans of the units are processed in the avatar of the General Editor. But back to the Bulwark »GameStar Army." Lead Designer Ferguson likes the idea but warns, however, from the risks: "Each bonus can be countered. Does the online opponent that is on especially strong with armor bonus against arrows, the game-star Army would soon be defeated. " The waging of war must always be so exhausting.
Finally: A mystery
At the end of our visit to Creative Assembly, we were able to elicit Jamie Ferguson still a little secret. It is indeed known to give as country, mountain and maritime fortresses. to break the latter, you will be certain types of ships with cannons as the Oatakebune can use. This can then bombard the coast of a hostile fortress.
It will also be available directly from the single-player campaign to go into the pause menu and from there directly, without detours to enter into an online battle. This work is not only fighting to water, land and sieges to choose from, but it can be adjusted at will, whether we are fighting only against an opponent, a 2-on-2 or wants to unsubscribe to 4 v 4 games. The matchmaking works via Steam, the tricks, however, Creative Assembly has been looking at StarCraft 2 from Blizzard. To be sorted according to score in the online campaign in different "leagues", so always take about the same strong opponents to each other.
The reviewer, Al Bickham, goes on to say he was fooled by a feint attack the AI carried out as he defended the three tiered castle.
And shortly after...Quoted from PC Gamer:
"One blade and six archer units march slowly out of the fog and straight at my northernmost rampart, defended by just one of my archer units. I figure they're pretty well protected the wooden roofing that runs the length of the wall, but I begin reorganising my forces, in case that blade unit makes a run to scale the walls and bash my archers. Just as my troops are wheeling and relocating, a second force marches, at flank speed, out of the mists and directly at my eastern wall. It's all cavalry, spear and blade. Cheeky chappie - so the archers were a feint!"
Then Al goes on to provide us with some insight as to the single player campaign:"The advance halts. We appear to have reached a stalemate. Just as I'm wondering whether I should go out and moon him to prompt some activity, I hear the battle advisor cry: "My Lord! Our General is in grave danger!" Err. Run that by me again?" Panning the camera to the west, the awful truth dawns. The AI has tempted me into defending one side of my castle, and delivered the coup de grace in the undefended west. Two units of blade, and one of spear, have scales the ramparts and, with horror, I realise that they're already mounting the top tier."
Judging from the pictures shown in the article next to this text, I assume what is being described is the tutorial mini-campaign. And from what I've learned about the Kono, the tutorial faction is almost certainly the Chosokabe. (The Kono's hold on the Iyo Province was steadily weakened during the early Sengoku Period and at length their domain fell to the Chosokabe). This tidbit of knowledge ties in to the campaign map we see in the aforementioned Gamestar video (It's a time of internecine strife, and almost immediately you're faced with a border dispute. The ineffectual Kono tribe send a monk to scout out your territory, and the advisor's hackles are up; he leads you through the training of a small force, to scout out the borders. Sure enough, Kono treachery lies just beyond the fog of war and you're led into the tutorial battle.
To finish Al Bickham recaps the multiplayer clan integration and avatar customisation we already know about, but to finish here is a quote that sounded nice about the seasons:
What do you think?Each game turn marks a season; the landscape and battlefields change to reflect that, and not just visually. Windy springtime battles reduce archery effectiveness. Autumnal rains kill the fire rate of rifle units, as they struggle to keep their gunpowder dry.
A A R S
:: The Sun always rises in the East :: Flawless Crowns :: Dancing Days ::
"We kissed the Sun, and it smiled down upon us."