Info about Total War: SHOGUN 2:

Official game description:
Total War: SHOGUN 2 out now for Linux.
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About the Game
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**MASTER THE ART OF WAR**  
In the darkest age of Japan, endless war leaves a country divided. It is the middle of the 16th Century in Feudal Japan. The country, once ruled by a unified government, is now split into many warring clans. Ten legendary warlords strive for supremacy as conspiracies and conflicts wither the empire. Only one will rise above all to win the heart of a nation as the new shogun...The others will die by his sword.  
Take on the role of one Daimyo, the clan leader, and use military engagements, economics and diplomacy to achieve the ultimate goal: re-unite Japan under his supreme command and become the new Shogun – the undisputed ruler of a pacified nation.  
Game Features
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Total War: SHOGUN 2 features enhanced full 3D battles via land and sea, which made a name for the series, as well as the tactical campaign map that many refer to as the heart and soul of Total War. Featuring a brand new AI system inspired by the scriptures that influenced Japanese warfare, the millennia old Chinese “Art of War”, the Creative Assembly brings the wisdom of Master Sun Tsu to Total War: SHOGUN 2. Analysing this ancient text enabled the Creative Assembly to implement easy to understand yet deep strategical gameplay.  
*   **CONQUER** the islands of Japan in the 16th century. Lead vast armies of samurai and fleets of giant warships into breathtaking real-time battles.  
*   **BUILD** your kingdom on the inviting and turn-based campaign map. Wield economic, political, and military power to amass wealth, armies, and influence.  
*   **SCHEME** according to the "Art of War" by Sun Tzu. Use fire and siege tactics, spies and assassins to adapt to the ever-changing conditions on the battlefield and throughout your kingdom.  
*   **BATTLE ONLINE** and experience the main campaign in two-player mode. Then join epic online battles with up to 8 players and lead your online army to glory in special campaigns.  
New to Total War in SHOGUN 2
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*   New RPG skills and experience for your Generals and Agents.  
*   New Multi-stage Sieges - scaling the walls is only the beginning!  
*   New Hero units inspire your men and carve through the enemy.  
*   New rotating 3D campaign map.

Release date: Mar 15, 2011

Categories: Turn-based Strategy, Real-time Tactics, Grand Strategy, Historical Strategy, Multiplayer, Campaign Mode, Faction Management, Unit Management

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 70; verdict: Aggressive Monetization; summary: The game is praised for its core gameplay and specific DLCs like 'Fall of the Samurai,' but there is significant criticism regarding the excessive amount of paid DLC and monetization practices. Many reviews highlight that content which should be part of the base game is locked behind paywalls, leading to a perception of greed and poor value for money. However, some players find value in purchasing the game and its DLCs during sales.
- Wiki: score 10; verdict: Needs Improvement; summary: The primary issues identified from user feedback revolve around technical bugs with the encyclopedia feature, difficulties with downloading and accessing game content, and challenges related to localization and translation. These issues collectively degrade the user experience by limiting access to important game information and features.
- Steam Deck: score 85; verdict: Broken; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with game launch, compatibility, user interface, and multiplayer features. These problems severely impact the user experience, particularly for those using Linux systems. The need for workarounds and patches indicates a lack of seamless integration and stability.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Best in Total War series (weight 0.43): This game is widely regarded as the best in the Total War series, praised for its physics, battles, and overall quality. Many players consider it their favorite installment.
- Overall great game (weight 0.39): Players consistently describe the game as great, fun, and beautiful. It is noted for its high quality in music, gameplay, and overall experience.
- Fall of the Samurai DLC praised (weight 0.31): The Fall of the Samurai DLC is highly recommended and considered one of the best expansions. Players appreciate its polished and fun gameplay.
- Engaging and tactical battles (weight 0.26): The battles in the game are described as awesome, fun, and engaging. They blend large-scale strategy with intense, cinematic real-time combat.
- High-quality graphics (weight 0.25): The game's graphics are noted for their high quality and have aged well. Players find them impressive even by current standards.
- Balanced gameplay elements (weight 0.24): The game offers a near-perfect blend of turn-based empire management, diplomacy, and real-time battles. The detail in politics, trade, espionage, and warfare is highly praised.
- Recommended for history fans (weight 0.23): The game is highly recommended for fans of the Japanese Sengoku period and those interested in feudal Japan. It offers excellent historical representation.
- Challenging AI (weight 0.23): The AI in the game is noted for providing a good challenge and making clever plays. It is described as smart, competent, and engaging.
- Easy to learn, hard to master (weight 0.21): The game is described as easy to pick up and play but difficult to master. It offers a straightforward learning curve with significant tactical depth.
- Aggressive and intelligent AI (weight 0.2): The AI is praised for its aggressive and intelligent behavior, particularly in diplomacy, army composition, and overall strategy.
- High replay value (weight 0.2): The game is noted for its good playability, fun gameplay, and high replay value. It is considered worth playing and enjoyable.
- Beautiful art design (weight 0.2): The art design and graphics are consistently praised as beautiful and wonderful. The game's visual style and presentation are highly appreciated.
- Immersive campaign experience (weight 0.18): The game provides an immersive and challenging campaign experience. Players appreciate the strong immersion and imaginative elements.
- Cinematic and thrilling battles (weight 0.18): The battles in the game are described as gritty, cinematic, and thrilling. They are praised for their poetic and engaging nature.
- Challenging and exciting campaign (weight 0.18): The campaign is noted for offering plenty of challenges and excitement. Players appreciate its length and overall quality.
- Unique clans and factions (weight 0.18): Each clan and faction in the game feels unique and distinct. They offer different bonuses, playstyles, and strengths.

Common complaints:
- Diplomacy system is broken (weight 0.38): The diplomacy system is frequently described as broken, frustrating, and inconsistent.
- Limited faction variety (weight 0.32): Players note a lack of diversity in factions and units, leading to a repetitive experience.
- Naval battles are poor (weight 0.29): Players find naval battles to be boring, slow, and not well-executed, often feeling like a weaker aspect of the game.
- Game lacks variety (weight 0.28): The game is criticized for being monotonous and lacking in variety, both in gameplay and unit design.
- Game fails to launch (weight 0.27): Many players report that the game refuses to launch or crashes on startup, making it unplayable for some.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.18): The game is reported to crash frequently, which disrupts the gameplay experience.
- Multiplayer is broken (weight 0.15): Multiplayer functionality is reported as broken or non-functional by many players.
- Rise of the Samurai criticized (weight 0.14): The Rise of the Samurai expansion and campaign are criticized for being poorly executed and disappointing.
- Late-game becomes repetitive (weight 0.12): Players find the late-game to be repetitive and a slog to get through.
- Poor game balance (weight 0.09): The game is criticized for being poorly balanced, affecting the overall experience.
- DLCs required for achievements (weight 0.08): Some achievements and features are locked behind DLCs, which can be frustrating for players.
- Archers are ineffective (weight 0.08): Archers are noted to be ineffective in battles, often getting killed before they can contribute meaningfully.
- Menu options grayed out (weight 0.08): Some menu options are grayed out, which can be confusing and frustrating for players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Diplomacy system challenges (weight 0.24): The game's diplomacy system is noted for its complexity and difficulty due to country divisions and AI behavior.
- Naval battles mechanics (weight 0.23): Naval battles are a key feature, with specific mechanics and prominence in certain DLCs like Fall of the Samurai.
- Strategic and economic management (weight 0.23): The game requires careful management of economy, happiness, and strategic thinking for overall success.
- Turn-based strategy focus (weight 0.21): The game emphasizes turn-based strategy for campaign management, focusing on positioning, terrain, morale, and timing.
- Challenging AI behavior (weight 0.19): The AI in the game is noted for being aggressive and challenging, affecting both diplomacy and battles.
- Real-time battles with tactical depth (weight 0.18): Real-time battles are a significant feature, involving terrain, morale, and unit composition, offering fast-paced and tactical gameplay.
- Balanced clan management (weight 0.15): The game requires managing resources, diplomacy, and warfare, with a focus on balancing clan management and strategic gameplay.
- Feudal Japan setting (weight 0.15): The game is set in Feudal Japan, featuring samurai and the historical context of late medieval Japan.
- Long-term campaign strategy (weight 0.15): The campaign is designed for long-term play, with each battle counting significantly and requiring strategic planning based on terrain and weather.
- Unique clan units (weight 0.14): Each clan in the game has unique units and bonuses, adding variety and strategic depth to gameplay.
- Historical context of Boshin Wars (weight 0.14): The game explores historical events like the Boshin Wars and the behavior of samurai lords during the Sengoku Jidai.
- Aged well visually (weight 0.14): The graphics and visual style of the game have aged well, with beautiful details and a consistent color palette.
- War and economic mechanics (weight 0.11): The game includes various mechanics for war, rebellion, and economy, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Unit tactics and control (weight 0.11): Unit management and tactics are crucial, with a focus on unit control and strategic deployment.
- Unique DLC experiences (weight 0.11): DLCs like Rise of the Samurai and Fall of the Samurai offer unique experiences and gameplay changes.
- Comparisons to other Total War games (weight 0.1): The game's mechanics and gameplay are often compared to other titles in the Total War series, such as Total War: Warhammer and Rome 2.
- Yari units prominence (weight 0.1): Yari samurai and Yari ashigaru units are prominent in the game, serving as main units in battles.
- Limited unit diversity (weight 0.1): The game has been noted for its limited unit diversity, which can affect strategic variety.

Performance notes:
- Optimization and Performance (weight 0.25): The game runs smoothly on various hardware, including older systems and integrated graphics. However, there are also reports of optimization issues with many units and smoke effects.
- Game Launching Issues (weight 0.21): Multiple players report that the game does not launch or start properly. This issue is prevalent across various devices.
- Frequent Crashing Problems (weight 0.18): The game frequently crashes for many users. This includes crashes on specific hardware like the 2025 MiniMac with M4 chip and Intel iMac and MacBook.
- Installation and Interface Issues (weight 0.12): Players experience problems with installation and interface issues, including lack of interface scaling.
- Freezing and Stability Issues (weight 0.11): The game experiences freezing issues and instability, particularly noted in Warhammer 3 with FPS drops and map lags.
- Impressive Visuals (weight 0.11): The game's visuals are noted to be impressive even years after release, maintaining a high standard of graphical fidelity.
- Campaign Mode Issues (weight 0.09): The campaign mode does not execute properly and crashes frequently, causing significant gameplay disruptions.
- Multiplayer and Compatibility Problems (weight 0.08): There are multiplayer compatibility problems and issues with newer versions of Windows, affecting the game's playability.
- Slow Loading Times (weight 0.08): Players report slow loading times, which can detract from the overall gaming experience.
- Patch and Mod Conflicts (weight 0.08): There are issues with the functionality of patches and conflicts with mod managers, affecting the game's performance.
- Linux and Windows Compatibility (weight 0.08): The native Linux version is bugged, but the Windows version can work through Proton with a workaround.
- DirectX Issues (weight 0.05): There are reports of DirectX not working properly, which affects the game's performance and compatibility.
- Single-Core Support (weight 0.04): The game only supports single-core processing, which can limit performance on modern multi-core systems.
- Graphics Card Requirements (weight 0.04): Players report needing a significantly better graphics card than specified to run the game smoothly.
- High PC Requirements (weight 0.04): The game has fast PC requirements, which may be a barrier for players with lower-end systems.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended for strategy lovers (weight 0.37): The game is suggested for anyone who loves strategy games, offering both tactical gameplay and province management.
- Recommended for Japanese history fans (weight 0.34): The game is highly recommended for those interested in the Japanese Sengoku period and feudal Japan, as well as fans of Total War battles.
- Strongly recommended for its quality (weight 0.29): The game is strongly recommended for its engaging gameplay and aesthetics, described as a masterpiece.
- Good entry point for Total War series (weight 0.27): The game is recommended as a perfect introduction to the Total War series for newcomers.
- Recommended to all players (weight 0.21): The game is recommended to everyone, including both new and veteran players.
- Great for strategic multiplayer (weight 0.18): The game is highly recommended for those who enjoy challenging strategy games and strategic multiplayer matches.
- Use unofficial patches and mods (weight 0.14): Players suggest using unofficial patches and mods to enhance the gaming experience.
- Must-play for historical strategy fans (weight 0.12): The game is considered a must-play for enthusiasts of historical strategy games.
- Recommended DLCs (weight 0.12): The Fall of the Samurai DLC is highly recommended for those interested in 19th-century warfare.
- Worth the price (weight 0.12): The game is considered well worth the price, especially when bought on sale.
- Potential for future games (weight 0.11): Players express excitement and suggestions for future games in the series.
- Beautiful and tactical gameplay (weight 0.09): The game is praised for its beautiful craftsmanship and tactical depth, where every choice matters.
- Recommended for casual players (weight 0.09): Total War: Warhammer is recommended for a more casual experience.
- Desire for more content (weight 0.08): Players express a desire for more content and updates, including hopes for a Shogun 3 or updated Shogun 2.
- Community and learning opportunities (weight 0.08): The game offers positive community interactions and opportunities to learn and improve.
- Easy for beginners (weight 0.05): The game is suggested to have an easy option for beginners to get into the series.

Other player notes:
- Mod support appreciated (weight 0.05): Players appreciate the game's support for mods and the community-made mods available.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.3): Players experience frustration primarily due to technical issues such as game crashes, launching problems, and performance issues across various devices. Additionally, gameplay mechanics like AI behavior, difficulty scaling, and repetitive elements such as naval battles and unit management contribute significantly to this frustration.
- Joy (weight 0.13): Players find joy in the game's replayability, depth, and overall quality, particularly appreciating the combat mechanics, aesthetics, and visuals. The game's immersive atmosphere, detailed visuals, and enjoyable battles also contribute to a positive experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.11): Players feel nostalgic due to the game's classic status and long-standing enjoyment, often comparing it favorably to older Total War games. Personal memories and extensive playtime over the years enhance this sense of nostalgia.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): Players are excited by the game's immersive campaign, amazing battles, and the depth added by multiplayer modes. The unique clans, cinematic battles, and potential for future games in the series also contribute to this excitement.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.07): Players express enthusiasm for the game's engaging strategy, impressive battle graphics, and intense multiplayer battles. The game's physics, setting, and overall enjoyment of learning history also fuel this enthusiasm.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Players feel satisfied with the game's modding community, overall experience, and the challenge it presents. The game's balance, battles, and longevity, along with positive experiences with gameplay mechanics, contribute to this satisfaction.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.07): Players enjoy the game's battles, sieges, and unique setting, as well as the replay value and winning battles. The engaging combat, mod support, and cooperative play mechanics also enhance the enjoyment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Players feel disappointed due to the game feeling like a downgrade from previous titles and the lack of multiplayer activity. Broken features and overall negative experiences with the game contribute to this disappointment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's superior combat system, satisfying battle visuals, and deep mechanics. The game's incredible setting, solid gameplay, and historical accuracy are also highly valued.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Players admire the game's balanced and fresh experience, magnificent artistic style, and great graphical quality. The game's design, visuals, and overall experience are praised.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Players find amusement in the game's unique and engaging mechanics, as well as humorous situations and descriptions. Despite difficulties, the fun aspects of the game contribute to this amusement.
- Love (weight 0.01): Players express love for the game due to its engaging and immersive qualities, often prioritizing it over other games. The long-term enjoyment and dedication to the game since its release contribute to this love.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players hope for the game's longevity and the release of future titles in the series, such as a Shogun 3 or updated Shogun 2. The desire for more historical games also fuels this hope.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the game's features, atmosphere, and overall gameplay experience. The enthusiasm for the DLC and the immersive aspects of the game contribute to this excitement.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Players experience boredom due to the lack of unit diversity and repetitive gameplay mechanics. The monotony in certain aspects of the game leads to this feeling.}