Official Fall of the Samurai Review + Latest Modding News!!

**Legio** · April 15, 2012, 07:49 AM

Shogun 2 News

Review: Fall of the Samurai

Fall of the Samurai picks up over two hundred years after the events of Shogun 2 as east meets west and the Samurai meet the industrial post-Napoleon empires. Set in the Bakumatsu period, literally the Tokugawa Shogunate’s “End of the Curtain” FotS is a clash of culture and politics as the supporters of the Emperor Meiji attempt to restore Imperial rule after hundreds of years of Shogun military dictatorships.

FotS is the latest historical period chronologically of any Total War game to date and the opening cinematics are a “hats off” to the forced end of Japanese Sakoku “locked country” isolationism by the Black Ships of Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853. The event eventually led to the Shogun opening up Japan to trade with foreign powers, and the game very much revolves around the quick introduction of Western ideas and military ingenuity.

The new campaign sees a choice of three playable pro-Shogun clans lining up against three playable Pro-Imperial clans. Far from keeping to the infamous line of “Revere the Emperor and Expel the Barbarians”, the Imperial clans are a more modern and industrial option with the likes of Blackbear Elite Line Infantry, Imperial Guard Infantry and Tosa Clan Sharpshooter Riflemen to throw into the fray. Shogun clans although by no means devoid of more modern options, have sprinkles of the more traditional with Mounted Samurai Heroes and ferocious banzai fuelled Shogitai making for a much more challenging campaign.

Fall has a healthy 39 new land battle units to choose from, and although a campaign will be familiar ground for any Shogun 2 player, the superbly unique unit additions really add an extra dynamic to the game. While the Imperial and Shogun forces have their bread and butter units, both through use of clan development can call on foreign military options. Elite infantry imports including US Marines, British Royal Marines and French Infanterie de Marine are helped along in the campaign with a new “Foreign Veteran” agent. The moustache-wielding agent has no qualms about training up your troops quickly in the use of new foreign technology, but far from being a one trick pony he also loves to harass opposition armies and cheapen the cost of recruitment in settlements.

The Veteran is just one of several new agent options at your disposal with Shinsengumi and Ishin Shishi roaming the map spreading propaganda like a wild fire across Japan for the Shogun and Emperor respectively. Both the Geisha and the Shinobi agents make a return once more with all new skill trees, and their interactions with the new propaganda agents is key to any Daimyo’s success in game.

Agent use is key in the run up to Fall of the Samurai’s “Realm Divide” event. Similarly to Shogun 2, once your Daimyo gains enough honour and prestige by mass slaughtering opposing clans, the RD event kicks in and each clan must choose their loyalties between the Shogun, the Emperor or going it alone as the “Republic of Ezo”.

The Republican option is an interesting addition, if a some what extremely difficult one. No sooner than declaring yourself as the “future” does your propaganda network fall apart, mass rebellions kick-off, generals start deserting and everyone without exception wants your head. While perhaps not been as tough as Shogun 2, the new Realm Divide makes for subtle political changes as clans suddenly switch allegiances and the biggest clan from each banner is declared the “Vanguard” of their respective cause. Typically, if you play as a Shogun clan, you can expect the Satsuma and Tosa to be the biggest threat, while Imperial factions will always have the Edo and Aizu to kick up a stink.

Then again, in two different playthroughs you nearly always end up with different clans flocking to differing banners. In some ways, a re-vamped campaign map helps this for Fall of the Samurai, with an increase in the number of regions and expansion of the map in the North of Japan. There are more provinces to war in, and generally, the FotS campaign map is very well polished and geared to what very quickly turns into an industrial war. For the first time in a Total War game, train networks can be built and allow for superbly quick army movements, and key tactical battles over key train hubs. New resource specialities such as coal and machines become must-haves for any expansive clan.

Battlemap changes - Fall of the Samurai (right) has 72 regions compared to Shogun 2's 65 (left), reflecting the quicker pace and movement of the new game.

Perhaps one of the most explosive additions to the campaign map and game generally is the greater depth of naval capabilities. Ten new industrial era ships are at your disposal, and on the campaign map, a fleet can bombard enemy targets – including towns and armies. Indeed, the Ironclad ships are destructive machines that can also be called upon on the battle map if they’re in the area to cause a devastating bombardment – so long as you time it correctly!

Naval battles themselves have a lot more bang and excitement than Shogun 2 and will feel a lot more familiar to seasoned Napoleon: Total War players. Harbour battles make a debut in FotS with coastal defences playing a big role in the fracas. Torpedo boats are a personal favourite, and as the name suggests, can launch torpedo's mercilessly at opposition ships. Ironclads are tanks on the ocean waves, turning wooden and more primitive ships into a cloud of ash.

Explosive fast paced naval warfare - Torpedo Boats and Ironclads wreck havoc in much improved FotS naval combat.

Speaking of other explosive additions, some of the most deadliest artillery to feature in a Total War game is a characteristic of Fall, with a new “first person mode” where you literally watch the shell careering towards the opponents before blowing their heads off and causing as much mayhem as Medieval II Rocket Elephants. Unsurprisingly, it’s just as easy to hit your own men, so cunning tactics have to be used to ensure they’re effective. Perhaps the best trick I’ve seen so far was that of a CA developer more or less hiding one of the extremely dangerous Gatling Guns up a tree. Armstrong and Parrott Guns also feature, so there is plenty of heavy support weaponry to choose from!

First person wrecking balls - Follow artillery strikes from first-person view as they hammer targets home.

Creative Tea Easter Egg - Tip of the Hat to Victoria: Total War or American Revolutionary Boston Tea Party?

Multiplayer and Avatar Campaign get the same fresh-fast paced feeling as the single player outing, with 40 new retainers up for grabs and once again, a brand new skill tree.

Like any game, there are a few drawbacks to Fall of the Samurai. The update released with FotS introduced Awesomium to the engine. While I can appreciate why some people might want a flash window on the main menu to give them news, I cannot if it crashes the game every few turns if you have Google Chrome. It feels like going for a nice 12oz steak, only for the waiter to prevent you consuming it because he’s getting in the way reading a thirty foot newspaper.

There are other minor bugs documented here and there, but overall, Fall of the Samurai is an excellent addition to the Total War franchise. In what in essence is a game where Shogun 2: Total War meets Napoleon: Total War, it’s an interesting historical period that’s a lot more fast paced and explosive than both the original Shogun 2 and Napoleon. Although some have argued that playing as a Shogun clan against Imperialists isn’t a fair balance, I’d have to disagree. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and the real challenge is declaring a Republic on Legendary difficulty.

The game is truly excellent, but where does it point in terms of Total War’s future? Eagle eyed viewers of the Fall of the Samurai introductory trailer will note “Creative Assembly Tea” plastered on a crate in the Japanese harbour. Is this an Easter Egg reference to a possible next-game Boston Tea Party? Or Perhaps a Victoria Total War set around India – famed of course for its tea.It’s difficult not to speculate, but as far as Fall of the Samurai goes, it is cringe worthy yet accurate to say it’s “Tea-riffic!”.

Written by: Mr Bond

Radious Total war