Speeches

[f-carthage]

I don't know how important character development (and the speeches that used to reflect characters) are to people, but I have to say I am disappointed by the speeches in this game (which appear to be mandatory to listen to). Not only do they not offer any particularly helpful advice, but they do not seem to reflect any of the few character traits the generals are given, while also apparently showing no real pride in their clan or contempt for their enemies. Each speech seems to go along the same line, and the ability of the general does not seem to really change the speech. I miss he speeches that were unique (sortof) to each general in RTW and MTW2. Thoughts?

[Lord of Lost Socks]

(which appear to be mandatory to listen to).

Magic of the ESC button.

[Blitz66]

I was looking forward to the "dynamic" speeches as well.

I'd call them "random" rather than "dynamic" though.

I was under the impression, that if a general was leading troops against another general, army or clan, he had fought against already, that would change the speeches.

But no, just random jibberish really. I skip them more times than not now.

Also, the cheering animation is really lame.

For the most part I'm having a blast with S2TW though!

[Sir Sesshaku]

I had a pretty fun one, english is not my native language, but i will try to translate it...it was something like this:

"Battle await us. For some, its they first one. But do not worry!. A battle its like making love. The first time all its confusing until it ends".

What a great general, so popular among the soldiers. Too bad that i had to order him to commit Seppuku.

[Deathstar]

I absolutely loved the M2TW speeches, the accent for every nation, whether the general is chivalrious or brutal, what army the enemy fields and so much more ...

Shocked was I when discovering Empire and Napoleon did not have them at all, so yeah, in Shogun 2 they are worse than in Rome or Medieval 2 but it is definitely a step in the right direction!

[SonOfCrusader76]

The problem is, they're in Japanese. I'd rather have that than 'Engrish' (as some people call it) - but at the same time, it disconnects you from the emotion that may or may not be conveyed by the general. Reading subtitles just isn't the same thing.

I absolutely loved the M2TW speeches, the accent for every nation, whether the general is chivalrious or brutal, what army the enemy fields and so much more ...

Shocked was I when discovering Empire and Napoleon did not have them at all, so yeah, in Shogun 2 they are worse than in Rome or Medieval 2 but it is definitely a step in the right direction!

They'll be back in force for Rome 2, I'm sure of it.

Edit: It was a real shame they weren't in Empire - they could've made some real witty ones.

[longboat]

I don't know how important character development (and the speeches that used to reflect characters) are to people, but I have to say I am disappointed by the speeches in this game (which appear to be mandatory to listen to). Not only do they not offer any particularly helpful advice, but they do not seem to reflect any of the few character traits the generals are given, while also apparently showing no real pride in their clan or contempt for their enemies. Each speech seems to go along the same line, and the ability of the general does not seem to really change the speech. I miss he speeches that were unique (sortof) to each general in RTW and MTW2. Thoughts?

Here is thought.... The more I play this game the more I like it but ......... the more I realize CA cut corners to rush the product out.

1) No speeches in English, as OP said they are just jibberish as far as I can tell (thanks for the ESC) key. A CA shortcut to record them in one language and make the gamer read subtitles.

2) All the castles are the same pretty much and the maps are becomming repetitive too now. I still enjoy both but it's apparant they spent their time on something else than these 2 areas.

3) Why on earth would they bring the customize colors and banners option to MP and leave it out of SP .... let me talk to the lead design manager, another cut corner.

4) The biggest issue that has been mentioned is a product without AA, what were they thinking!

5) They made all the factions units exactly the same, changes some colors but everything is the same. I'm fine with 30 or 40 unit types but at least make the factions look distinct COMON!

6) Campagin map was obviously reduced to force the AI in to a more scripted role, it works for me though I have no complaints yet.


On a side note the trees, units, and animations are very nice and the music is great .... it's a shame some of the other areas of the game did not get as much attention. These are not complaints so much as points on the original posters point, it's obvious CA cut some corners here. I still enjoy the game but at times find my self thinking if only they had finished this or developed that more...... only if..... What a game this could have been over what it already is !

[SonOfCrusader76]

Here is thought.... The more I play this game the more I like it but ......... the more I realize CA cut corners to rush the product out.

1) No speeches in English, as OP said they are just jibberish as far as I can tell (thanks for the ESC) key. A CA shortcut to record them in one language and make the gamer read subtitles.

2) All the castles are the same pretty much and the maps are becomming repetitive too now. I still enjoy both but it's apparant they spent their time on something else than these 2 areas.

1. Maybe they decided to have them in Japanese because the entire game is set in... ummm.. Japan?
2. Disagree.

[Eien]

Here is thought.... The more I play this game the more I like it but ......... the more I realize CA cut corners to rush the product out.

1) No speeches in English, as OP said they are just jibberish as far as I can tell (thanks for the ESC) key. A CA shortcut to record them in one language and make the gamer read subtitles.

Why should there be speech in English when the setting is in feudal Japan? It breaks immersion seeing/listening a Samurai speaking Japlish :S

[Neophyte12]

This is one of the few areas I am disappointed also. In Rome (my current favorite) a general would talk about how he's never lost to the faction he was facing if he was undefeated against them, or how they were heavily outnumbered but would win anyway if they were in fact outnumbered, etc. The speeches became longer and more specific as the generals fought more battles (kind of obvious since there was more variables to include in the speech). In shogun 2, the only evidence I have seen of this is occasionally noticing the enemy has fewer numbers and saying that reflects their courage or something. It wouldn't be a big deal if CA didn't boast about their dynamic speeches.

It certainly isn't a game breaker, but I was kind of bummed

[blinkboy182]

Loved the speeches from RTW, some of speeches my generals were just epic in nature. Others were just...out there...

Example: I know you men don't want to be here. I didn't want to be here either but my mother made me go. Huh???

[Dynamo11]

Yeah there's still some funny S2TW ones... nothing can beat the Geonese nutcase general's speeches though:

"SNAKE SNAAAAKE, ARGH A SNAAAAAAKE!"

[Thefallenhun]

I like some of the lines, and their tendecy to wax poetic is rather period adequete.

"If not, hah! I'll haunt this place for ten thousand years!"

[Abe86]

After the capture of a number of Christian settlements my general now sometimes adds to his speeches: "And pray to the Christian gods too, one can never be too prudent" or something of that effect. The lines also change according to weather, enemy army composition ("the enemy brings mostly peasants"), faction, etc...

They do seem less develloped than in Rome or Medieval 2, though.

Edit: Oh, and something thta might be a bug: in cystom naval battles you'll get a speech before the engagement but on the campaign even with a general in your fleet you will never have a speech before an engagement. Anyone else experiencing this ?

[aeoleron9]

Yeah Abe, it's probably a bug. My naval specialist general/admiral never gets to say a speech like his friends. It's kinda sad.

The problem with less variety in speeches is tied with the less variety in traits. Back in RTW or M2 you can get tons of interesting traits that could affect the speeches and give the generals a lot more personality. But ever since ETW the writers have become quite lazy so there's a lot less variety across the board.

[homefry]

I hate the japanese speeches.

I want to look at the men about to fight and look at all the bling they are wearing and holding. I don't want to read what they have to say. I want to hear it.

[SonOfOdin]

I like the Japanese speeches...but I would like English subtitles. Ohh that's right, I can choose that in the options *facepalm*

[Maleficus]

I'm really not impressed by the speeches this time around at all. Not just because they're in Japanese..... Not that I'm at all convinced they really are, I swear my general has 'said' exactly the same line to accompany several different lines of text (sometimes within the same speech).

And that aside, they're not a patch on Medieval 2. Some examples from that:

I see the enemy dare not fight us man to man, but must instead rely on a woman's strategem of throwing things at us

Well slap my thighs and call me for dinner! I see a foe worth the killing, and lads beside me who are up to the mark. I can also feel an inspiring speech coming on! So, listen to me...

Our French foes hold us in scant regard. A mistake they often make, being arrogant and wine-sodden in equal measure!

I have seldom seen a more dispiriting sight than the English army. They have no sense of style, no elan, no manly virtues, no reason to live, no decent food, no attractive women, and their leaders - why, the devil himself would be ashamed to have them in hell.

The Scots over there need to be killed. But we do them a kindness because that way they escape their shrieking shrills and horrid wives - women better suited to gutting fish than pleasing men!

GOD'S NIPPLES! Is the ale ALL gone? Who... Who drank it?

Our foes are gathered. They're not real men are they? There must be a lot of disappointed women at home!

The enemy? I've eaten olives that have more about them!

Over there stands a miserable collection of sausage-eating, beer-swilling imperial pudding-heads. I think they will welcome death.

GOD'S BUM! I've dropped my last bottle! Bugger, as the English say! Someone's going to pay for this!

And so to battle. Get the tedious business done, and then hey ho to the wine! I am a Frenchman, and I know what is important!

There's nothing that offends my sight more than that sway-backed, leprous, pox-riddled children of she-wolves over there! I cannot begin to recount how my stomach burns with anger at them!

Just go and kill those arse-nibbling, merkin-grabbing, loon-faced, idiot nun-fondlers, will you?



And there plenty more brilliant ones too. Shogun 2's speeches, regardless of the language they're in, feel dull, lifeless and not remotely motivational. Half the time it seems as though the general can't really be bothered anyway. Speeches definitely need some work for the next TW game, as they're something that, if done properly, can add a whole new level of depth to the battle experience.

Well, that's my 2 kokus

[Kraxis]

The variety does seem to be down. Or rather, it seems like there aren't many factors that decide the various inclusions. I must admit that my generals don't exactly repeat themselves all that often, but what they do say is generally rather bland. It has a nice Japanese poem style to it, with many metaphors etc, and that's great, but if the speeches don't have much to say about the current battle, what are they then? At most I hear the same line about the enemy and their lesser numbers (courage and determination lacking) and that my own men are from my own clan... Well duh! I was pleasantly surprised when I had a speech about the Hattori and how they were unworthy because of thier backstabbery and stealthy treachery, or some such. Too bad it came in the very last battle I actually fought against them. Also I think I have had one comment about the Hojo, though it was pretty generic (seemed a lot like it was a generic line with name Hojo added to it, though it was audible). I had hoped to hear about the religious fanatics of the Ikko-ikki (had a rebellion, damn their troops are cool).

I don't know Japanese, but I know a few words, so it is good to know that the general actually says what is written (if not exactly, but I can't know that).

[Creaky]

I agree, to teh point where I'd like to just have them disabled permanently. Sometimes a general will say one damn line then his troops start cheering like idiots. They also seem far more boring than the other ones, and seem to have very little to do with what's been going on. I like that they're in japanese though, that's a nice touch - but it makes me wonder if there were translation issues, resulting in lifeless words.