A Few Questions before I buy S2:TW

[Jet Jaguar]

I'm about to buy S2:TW and I have a few questions about the game.

- I'm much less familar with Japanese history than I am with European history. Is S2:TW fairly accurate in representing the history of Japan during this era? Which clan actually won in real life?

- How many pages is the manual for S2:TW?

- What are the advantages of buying the boxed version over the digital download?

- Is it possible to play somewhat peacefully and "turtle" (focus on province improvements, trade, and diplomacy) instead of waring most of the time (and still be successful)?

- If you used "auto-resolve" for all your battles, would the turn-based, campaign game stand on it's own as a deep strategic experience? I don't intend to auto-resolve all of battles, I'm just curious.

Thanks in advance

[Amaranthen]

1) Manual doesn't have many pages, it's a barebone. It just teaches you game mechanics, nothing explaining rock, paper, scissors, and units. Only siege battles, trades, diplomacy ect.

2) Boxed Version comes DVD, which saves a whole lot of time downloading in case your PC crashes. Just shove it on your bookshelf. It'll be linked to Steam digital content delivery system anyway.

3) Yes, turtling works. Just make sure you do counterattack once in a while if an enemy clan declares war on you. Also, the trend goes: one clan declares war on you, few other allied clans will join in.

4) Auto-resolve sucks if your army marginally surpass the enemy in numbers. You'll get close victory and Pyrrhic victories, even defeats. Siege battles, you'll get more casualties as defender if you auto-resolve than fighting it yourself.

Also, so far the diplomacy system is flawed. Everyone ignores you.

[Humble Warrior]

My humble opinion.

1. TW games have always been about dynamic Campaigns. Tis means that the historical power can win or some completely different Clan takes over. So, basically any Clan can win depending how the wind blows.

2. The STW manual is thinner than rice paper. It`s barely worth the paper it`s printed on. It`s about 14 pages long mostly about control settings. No real information on how things really work. No probs for a TW vet, but not much help for new guy. However, there is an extensive encyclopedia in the game itself which helps.

3. There isn`t really much of an advantage since you have to use Steam with or without the box version (which is stupid in my view). I guess it just means you have something to have and hold and smile wanly at. Wait, I just thought, it will install faster off disc than downloading... sometimes.

4. Turtling. On Legendary, I found it very difficult to turtle. I was beaten twice in a row trying to turtle. The CAI does not wait for you to get strong. However, I`ve heard it`s easier to turtle on lower levels like normal or hard. That said once I had established a foothold of 1 or 2 regions things did quiet down for quite a few turns. Getting at least one ally early is a must.

5. Autoresolve is good if you only use it when things are clearly in your favour. never use it if the odds are close.

[Shabby_Ronin]

I'm about to buy S2:TW and I have a few questions about the game.

1. I'm much less familar with Japanese history than I am with European history. Is S2:TW fairly accurate in representing the history of Japan during this era? Which clan actually won in real life?

2. How many pages is the manual for S2:TW?

3. What are the advantages of buying the boxed version over the digital download?

4. Is it possible to play somewhat peacefully and "turtle" (focus on province improvements, trade, and diplomacy) instead of waring most of the time (and still be successful)?

5. If you used "auto-resolve" for all your battles, would the turn-based, campaign game stand on it's own as a deep strategic experience? I don't intend to auto-resolve all of battles, I'm just curious.

Thanks in advance

1. Yes; Tokugawa
2. Don't know
3. Box, but in my opinion only if you can get your hands on the CE.
4. Depends on the faction
5. No

[osheamat]

- I'm much less familar with Japanese history than I am with European history. Is S2:TW fairly accurate in representing the history of Japan during this era? Which clan actually won in real life?
- Fairly is an accurate term. Within tolerance in order to enhance gameplay. Dont play with a history book in your non mouse hand.

- How many pages is the manual for S2:TW?
- Never looked at it, I use the encyclopedia and this forum for guidance.

- What are the advantages of buying the boxed version over the digital download?
- Steam and initial internet connection is required to activate game regardless, No further comment


- Is it possible to play somewhat peacefully and "turtle" (focus on province improvements, trade, and diplomacy) instead of waring most of the time (and still be successful)?
- There is little time for peace, with the player the only one who can initiate Realm Divide and push the story along, you have to be agressive most of the game, or I guess you can turtle and play your own way, you just wont win. Diplomacy is "fairly stable" and as long as you are not a dummy with how you interact with the other clans you can maintain good relations and allow the type of gameplay you want. Be warned though, the AI is agressive and commonly seeks out the player, especialy if you are local to them and weak.


- If you used "auto-resolve" for all your battles, would the turn-based, campaign game stand on it's own as a deep strategic experience? I don't intend to auto-resolve all of battles, I'm just curious.
- I think so, there are some RPG elements with your generals and agents and what not. Its all personal preference, there have been people who have steamrolled using auto only


Note: Although a decent release, play a few campaigns and then try one of the up and coming overhaul mods. Many find their saving grace in mods for one reason or another.

[kronpas]

I'm about to buy S2:TW and I have a few questions about the game.

- I'm much less familar with Japanese history than I am with European history. Is S2:TW fairly accurate in representing the history of Japan during this era? Which clan actually won in real life?

- How many pages is the manual for S2:TW?

- What are the advantages of buying the boxed version over the digital download?

- Is it possible to play somewhat peacefully and "turtle" (focus on province improvements, trade, and diplomacy) instead of waring most of the time (and still be successful)?

- If you used "auto-resolve" for all your battles, would the turn-based, campaign game stand on it's own as a deep strategic experience? I don't intend to auto-resolve all of battles, I'm just curious.

Thanks in advance

S2:TW is fairly accurate, yes. But with accurate comes dis-variety, clans are somewhat similar.

Boxed = limited edition with Hattori and 2 more historical battles. Digital doesnt have it.

You can do with 2 clans only: Shimzau and Chosokabe.

Battles are fun and somewhat harder than previous game, AI performs well with some bugs (eg. in reinforced siege battles). Overall a game clean of major bug right at the start, a real feast consider CA's terrible experience in the past.

[Raimeken]

I'm about to buy S2:TW and I have a few questions about the game.

- I'm much less familar with Japanese history than I am with European history. Is S2:TW fairly accurate in representing the history of Japan during this era? Which clan actually won in real life?

- How many pages is the manual for S2:TW?

- What are the advantages of buying the boxed version over the digital download?

- Is it possible to play somewhat peacefully and "turtle" (focus on province improvements, trade, and diplomacy) instead of waring most of the time (and still be successful)?

- If you used "auto-resolve" for all your battles, would the turn-based, campaign game stand on it's own as a deep strategic experience? I don't intend to auto-resolve all of battles, I'm just curious.

Thanks in advance

1. Yes it is fairly accurate with the exception of imaginary katana samurai and Hattori clan. In the end, Oda almost succeeded in unifying the country, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (one of Oda's faithful generals), united the country for 12 years. After his death, a grand civil war happened pitting East vs West. West (under Tokugawa) won. I know its complicated but...

2. Manual is close to useless

3. Faster download time

4. You'll get destroyed in a matter of turns if you don't focus militarily early-game

5. Playing TW just to auto-resolve all battles is like playing Civ5, totally removes from the experience