Attackers sailing into harbour must contend with defending fleets and on-shore cannon emplacements. Though bombardment can also be used to harry armies and settlements near the coast, the introduction of port sieges gives naval units even more use. Ten seconds is all it takes for hell to be unleashed, and if the accuracy of a 19th century beat down leaves a little to be desired, even the effect of a near-miss can be decisive. When the fleet is in range, generals have the ability to call down fire support on the opposition. Hence the need for fancy new Ironclads to patrol the coasts whilst preventing economy-crippling blockades.Īside from looking totally badass, these sombre knights of the sea are also capable of laying down a beating savage enough to put any sake hangover to shame. Trade with neighbours and the outside world is the lifeblood of a faction, bringing in riches required to sustain standing armies and the lockstep march of conquest and modernisation. In keeping with the times, naval power is now more important than ever. Aside from reduced unit training times, they offer serious experience bonuses when attached to armies, and are extremely efficient when it comes to challenging rival daimyo. Like Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai, these guys are qualified killers with ostensibly chequered histories. Their inclusion adds to the prevailing mood of the conflict, but there’s nothing particularly different about their abilities.Īlong with foreign mercenary units such as United States Marines and French infanterie de marine, the clash of East versus West is further intensified by the new Foreign Veteran agents. The Ishen-Shishi and Shinsengumi of the Imperial and Shogunate factions can be used alongside ninja and geisha to delay army movements and subtlety confound other factions’ progress behind enemy lines. If repression isn’t maintained, revolting armies of traditional Samurai can quickly upend sleepy home provinces into chaos, which doesn’t bode well for campaigns further afield.Īdditionally, railroad stations and other costly key pieces of infrastructure are just as vulnerable to the wanton attention of new agents. A tactful hand and a watchful eye is necessary when it comes to equipping the latest Western arms, lest the people voice their concerns with open dissent. When the screech of the Iron Horse finally begins to drown out the sound of pounding hoof beats left behind in its hazy wake, it’s worth noting that for all the prosperity and near-unmatched advantages brought by modern technology, the humble peasantry may be less hospitable to such rapid change. Lightly armoured riflemen are still as susceptible to sharpened steel as any, so victory in the early stages of the campaign requires a nuanced approach to the old and new ways of waging war, although traditional units will find it harder to compete as training and the quality of new weapons advances. Whether riding under the banner of the pragmatic Shogunate or the obstinate ways of the Imperial faction when the Boshin War kicks off, the degree to which a faction embraces the influx of new technology is left up to the player. If the thought of such a long march has the troops grumbling, keep in mind that fancy new spangled technology such as railroad dramatically shortens the time it takes to bring the fight to the enemy. When the warmer months finally swing around, it’s time to put down recalcitrant rivals, but be aware that the campaign map has been expanded to include the northern island of Ezo. Winter, which lasts an inhospitable six turns, is a good time to lay low and replenish battle weary soldiers before the spring thaw. Taking place over the course of a few short years, a single year in Fall of the Samurai is now divided into 24 turns, giving greater emphasis to the tactical significance of seasonal warfare. Forested hillsides once studded with arrows now ring out to the sound of volleyed rifle fire, and steam-powered ships prowl the coast which slowly but surely begins to bear the taint of industry. Set in the twilight of the 19th Century, Total War: Shogun 2 Fall of the Samurai is the most modern beast in the Creative Assembly’s stables, and it shows in the updated roster of over 50 new land and sea units set to witness the final curtain call of the noble warriors. The crows don’t know it yet, but they’re going to do very well over the next few years. No longer immune to gaijin influence, the various factions controlling the country have redrawn the battle lines along the ever-competing interests of progress and tradition.