Host of New Details on Shogun 2: Fall of The Samurai Discovered
Details! When it comes to Total War, they’re the things that really matter. It’s impossible, therefore, for a long time Total War fan to ignore a bunch of new, practically hidden details on the recently announced Fall of the Samurai DLC for Total War: Shogun 2. All the clans, all the agents, plus info on new gameplay features (first person view!?). Read on for the full story.
The Fall of the Samurai is the recently announced DLC pack for Total War: Shogun 2 that takes place during the Boshin war of 1864, later than any game in Total War history. This period was notable for the slow demise of the ancient Samurai ways as the soon-to-be unified Japan became a more industrial-focused nation. So that means foreign influence from the US and powerful European nations. If you’ve ever seen Tom Cruise film The Last Samurai, then you’ve already got the background sorted. You can view all the original release info here, but for the new stuff, read on.
In the description for the Fall of the Samurai pack on UK retailer Play.com, a host of new details have been revealed. First off, the campaign’s playable clans are the Choshu, Satsuma and Tosa (who support the Imperial advancement of Japan) and the Aizu, Nagaoka and Jozai (who want to remove foreign influences and bring back the power of the Shogunate). Of course, this new campaign will rely on your relations with the foreign powers who ‘will be integral to unit recruitment and to advancing your technology trees’. It should certainly be interesting to see how we weigh our morals with military success.
The previously mentioned map expansion features the new island Ezo as well as ‘fully refreshed towns,' hopefully this means a new overall design for the relatively modern campaign map. Of course, railways will also feature for the first time in a Total War game. As predicted, the lines will enable you to move your troops and agents very quickly around the map. Although railways can also be sabotaged or blockaded like a naval trade route; it’s an interesting feature that should add a cool new layer of tactical thinking. You can check out the newly revealed packshot below, but be sure to read on:
Of course, the DLC will also feature 39 new land units such as the Gatling and Armstrong (a rifled cannon) guns. But you knew that already, what you didn’t know is that these weapons will feature a rather bizarre ‘new first-person mode’ which will obviously see players taking control of the guns, using the mouse to unleash lead death. I’m somewhat undecided on whether this sounds like a good idea or not...I’ll leave it to ponder for now.
Naval warfare will also see an overhaul, although more so than we originally thought. As well as the 21 new ships, the DLC will include a new ‘port siege battle type’ which occurs when ‘attempting a naval assault on an occupied enemy port. The attacking fleet must sail into the harbour and capture the port, running the gauntlet of coastal gun defences.’ Which sounds a lot more fun that the generally rather dull ship vs ship battles.
As previously revealed, players will be able to unleash a devastating naval barrage during land battles to swing the tide in their favour. However, this won’t be the only place it can be used: in another bizarre change, players will be able to bombard armies and cities with naval fire on the actual campaign map! Speaking of cities, the DLC will also include an improved siege battle mechanic. This means that towers are now upgradable and can be built with archers, matchlocks or Gatling guns. I expect there’ll also be a host of new fortress designs to match the later setting.
But that’s still not everything, the description also notes that three new agents will arrive in the DLC. The Foreign Advisor, which I assume spreads imperial influence and supports modern troops; the Ishin Shishi, who is an anti-Shogunate agent who will probably take on ninja-like tasks; and finally the Shinshengumi, who was a member of a special Kyoto secret police force. Four new historical battles will also come with the pack which convey ‘dramatic portrayals of the major historical battles of the Boshin War’.
The final section of the description notes the changes to multiplayer, which is being branded ‘Multiplayer 2.0,' so expect plenty of changes. A new conquest map is being developed on top of new avatars, retainers and armour pieces. Essentially the whole current online system is being re-jigged to fit the 19th century theme.
It’s all rather crazy stuff, but from what we’ve seen so far, Fall of the Samurai is looking to be one of the best Total War add-ons ever. The only down side is that we have to wait until March for release. Until then, let us know what you think of the new additions (mainly the first-person view) in the comments section below and be sure to check out the trailer below:
Source: Play.com
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