Narrative: 3 - Gameplay: 4 - Visuals: 4 - Soundtrack: 4 - Time: 5
Stars: 4
I surely took my time with this one. Not only I've played a total of 71 hours according to Steam, but I've been playing this one on and off since 2013.
The thing is, I love strategy games. Board, card, or video games, real-time or turn-based, I don't care. As long we sit and plan our next moves, figure out the most efficient way to turn the tide to our side, or even stress about a bad early-on decision, I'm in.
When it comes to real-time strategy, it started with Warcraft III and Age of Empires III. Both of them hold a special place in my heart to this day. The thing is, those two are in the middle of what they can be. The systems around city management and resource gathering aren't that complicated and the military tactics that one can draw are very limited by the population cap. When I found out about Sid Meier's Civilization VI, that first itch was finally scratched. A game where the complexity of itself was the protagonist of it all.
And that's just the thing, I thought that Total War would be the one to give that spotlight to military engagement and tactical strategy on the battlefield (excuse me XCOM, I mean medievel-like battlefield). I guess that, over the years, I never gave a chance to it. Because, let's be honest, there are a ton of mechanics, keyboard shortcuts, and skills that we need to internalize before enjoying the gameplay. It took me 10 years of flirting, but when I put in the work, it just clicked.
Total War: Shogun 2 rose to my attention and obsession. When and how to attack, how to work with my units according to the situation, developing while thinking which weather would best suit my army; those became my priorities, that was the value of the game. I haven't played all of the battles myself of course (that's what building a brutal army is meant for). But, when the battle mattered most when every single decision could change the outcome... That gave me the thrills and made me think, what an incredible game.
I think that now this door is open I'll keep exploring the franchise. But enough of the historical background, Japan is sufficient. It's time for fantasy warfare, it's time for Warhammer.
Stars: 4
I surely took my time with this one. Not only I've played a total of 71 hours according to Steam, but I've been playing this one on and off since 2013.
The thing is, I love strategy games. Board, card, or video games, real-time or turn-based, I don't care. As long we sit and plan our next moves, figure out the most efficient way to turn the tide to our side, or even stress about a bad early-on decision, I'm in.
When it comes to real-time strategy, it started with Warcraft III and Age of Empires III. Both of them hold a special place in my heart to this day. The thing is, those two are in the middle of what they can be. The systems around city management and resource gathering aren't that complicated and the military tactics that one can draw are very limited by the population cap. When I found out about Sid Meier's Civilization VI, that first itch was finally scratched. A game where the complexity of itself was the protagonist of it all.
And that's just the thing, I thought that Total War would be the one to give that spotlight to military engagement and tactical strategy on the battlefield (excuse me XCOM, I mean medievel-like battlefield). I guess that, over the years, I never gave a chance to it. Because, let's be honest, there are a ton of mechanics, keyboard shortcuts, and skills that we need to internalize before enjoying the gameplay. It took me 10 years of flirting, but when I put in the work, it just clicked.
Total War: Shogun 2 rose to my attention and obsession. When and how to attack, how to work with my units according to the situation, developing while thinking which weather would best suit my army; those became my priorities, that was the value of the game. I haven't played all of the battles myself of course (that's what building a brutal army is meant for). But, when the battle mattered most when every single decision could change the outcome... That gave me the thrills and made me think, what an incredible game.
I think that now this door is open I'll keep exploring the franchise. But enough of the historical background, Japan is sufficient. It's time for fantasy warfare, it's time for Warhammer.