Bad Case of Dynasty (Shogun - Total War (PC))

Member Name: DavidJWest

Product:	Shogun - Total War (PC)
Date:	18/10/00 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Epic scale

Disadvantages: Time consuming!

Japanese medieval politics may not be everyone's cup of tea but I was surprised at how much time I have spent recently playing this epic from Electronic Arts.

There is a lot more to it than just politics as there is the economic and military side to take into consideration too. You play the part of Daimyo to a major Japanese clan in the 1560's with the aim of conquering the rest of the country thus creating a Dynasty to stand the test of time.

The main screen of the game so to speak, is a large map of Japan which is split into about 60 'counties' or regions. You start with about half a dozen of these under you control with the others controlled by you rivals, six other clans and also rebel factions.

Each of your regions may have some military units in it to defend it and other important facilities may also be based in the areas. All regions provide income in the form of 'koku' which is the unit of currency for the game. One koku is the amount of rice needed to feed a man for a year, not very handy to carry around in your wallet or purse I imagine!

You need to expand your influence throughout the country and a good way to start is to send out your emmisary. You start with one of these handy units but can train more of them and they are useful for making alliances with your rivals and for spying. You need to be careful though as the other clans may train Ninja's to assasinate the poor emmisary.

It really is a case of balancing the military, economic and political aspects to the game in order to succeed. If you just go out and build the biggest army you can then you will run out of cash, or rice, quickly, but you need an army to expand an therefore raise more revenue. As well as building new units you need to be aware that every time you succeed in conflict your troops and generals all gain experience or honour, which means they fight better in future.

Honour is vital in the
Samurai tradition, units which fight well gain honour points and ones that run away like 'whipped dogs' lose honour. More honourable units and generals will fight harder and not run away or rout when they are under pressure.

At the start of the game you can only built basic unit types like peasant infantry and archers, but as you build the more advanced facilities which become available you can produce the feared heavy cavalry and warrior monk type of unit. If you open trade negotiations with the Dutch or Portuguese you can even buy muskets which can be very useful in battle.

Combat is initiated when two rival clans occupy the same terretory and this is a the best part of the game for me. You are transported to the area and get to see all your units in full 3d, every single man is represented in full detail and once battle commences you can watch in real time as they march accross the battlefield and engage in combat.

You can see the arrows flying through the air and hear the wooshing noise they make as they slam into the enemy ranks. Dead bodies litter the floor after the fight is over.

The graphics are superb with full weather effects and lighting which changes as the rain if applicable increase and decreases. Fight in winter and it may snow, while in summer you may get sunshine, but as Japan has a similar climate to ours it is rare indeed! The weather is not merely cosmetic either, as in the rain muskets will not fire and bowstrings get wet making them less efective. If it is foggy or snowing then you may find it hard to see the enemy in the vast landscapes. Windy weather may blow your arrows off course.

Moving you forces around the battle field is a lot of fun, as the defender you can choose to simply occupt the best strategic location, on top of a hill is good so you can charge downhill into the enemy which works well. If you are worried the enemy has you outnumbered you can elect to hide in the
forest and ambush them before running away.

As the attacker it is very nerve-racking trying to first find the enemy and then engage them succesfully, especially if their army is of comparable size. It is vital to protect your general and at the same time try to kill the opposite number as a massive amount of morale is lost by the side which loses their head man.

If you decide to lead your forces personally, you can see yourself on your mighty war horse surrounded by your bodyguard of 10 heavy cavalry. If you die in battle with no heirs the game is over.

I think this is one of the best games I have ever played and am utterly addicted to it. The combat is excellent, I have acted out dozens of battle and not tired of it yet. I have played solidly (almost) for about a week and have come close to winning but still not done so, on normal skill level. There are five skill levels to try if you find it too hard or easy.

The combination of wargame, politics and economics mean this would appeal to a wide audience, but not those who like mindless arcade fare. If you like a game where your brain is exercised then this one is very good, excellent even.

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