Summary
If you recently glanced at Total War: Shogun 2 and thought “gosh, lovely hip-and-gable roofs on that miniature of the temples in Kyoto, but this could really do with oh, let’s say 50 additional groups of quarrelsome swordsmen”, then congratulations, Creative Assembly are adding “50+” minor factions in Total War: Shogun 2 Complete Edition, an all-in-one remaster hamper due to launch on 13th October via Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store and GOG. This fancified and expanderised, 64-bit edition of the 2011 strategy game will include both the Rise and the Fall of the Samurai DLC expansions, together with updated lighting, shadows and textures. Also: “modernised controls”, which makes me frown a little in the absence of details, together with 1440p and 4K UI scaling, and Japanese and Chinese voice acting and localisation. Watch on YouTube The original Shogun 2 won’t be purchaseable once the Complete Edition goes on sale, though you’ll still be able to download and install the former if you already own it. The Complete Edition also brings in-game mod support via Mod.io, but older Shogun 2 mods won’t be compatible with the updated version. Existing owners who want to upgrade will get a 75% discount from 13th October to 12th November. If you’re happy sticking with the older version, please break down sobbing as you learn that you’ll be getting some legacy DLC for free, once the New Hotness hits shelves. Read the full details about version differences in this FAQ. I’ve never played Shogun 2, but the first Total War: Shogun is a special game for me. I have fond memories of defending one of the big central provinces – maybe Mikawa? – against successive attacks from three neighbouring territories. My depleted army of elite Buddhist monks and archers clove through the lily-livered peasant hordes like an armoured fist diving into a bucket of popcorn to retrieve the dropped car keys of Victory. Perhaps now’s the time I should give the sequel a try. Here are some less stupid thoughts from Jim Rossignol (RPS in peace): “Empire was arguably a step too far, and consequently everything suffered. Shogun 2 is a step back, and everything has benefited. Because of the tighter focus on the single island of Japan, and the more comprehensible mechanics of spears, swords, horses, archers and not too much in the way of gunpowder-based conflict, the game is better encapsulated, and a purer Total War experience. Sadly that means it is also far less interesting than Empire as an experience.” There’s been, like, a thousand Total War games since then, of course. Enough to stretch out a marching column to the Moon and back. I’m interested to hear from Total War vets about how Shogun 2 stacks up in hindsight.