CNET | News | Hardware | Downloads | Builder | Games | Jobs | Auctions | Prices | Tech Help | Free Email |
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
CNET: Gamecenter: PC: Reviews |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() Strategy & War |
![]() |
Shogun: Total War continued Shogun contains an extremely adept artificial intelligence that is both steadfast on the defense and skillful on the attack. At the so-called Normal AI setting, the computer often anchors its defense upon dominating terrain such as a hill or heavily wooded area, and generally counterattacks a numerically superior foe by striking at a critical choke point. On the assault, the AI sometimes launches a probing attack along various portions of the line before committing its entire force to battle. It also tends to use its ranged weaponry with great finesse. All too often, the computer draws up its forces for battle, fires at maximum range with its archers and musketeers, and then enters the close-quarters phase of the battle with its best foot soldiers. At the strategic level, the computer is equally proficient in virtually every phase of the game. For instance, the computer withdraws from an embattled province when victory is clearly out of the question. Likewise, it might surround and attack a key province by drawing upon as many troops as possible and then use its emissaries and spies to gather intelligence on the enemy's strength.
The interface takes some getting used to, even after wading through all of the in-game tutorials. For instance, the computer never addressed the subject of how to reface combat formations, and never broached the topic of selecting or deselecting groups of similar units. And although the graphics are certainly classy and eye-catching, the battlefield map could have used an additional zoom magnification, which would have allowed players to see their units up close and personal. All in all, Shogun: Total War is one of the better strategy and war games to come out in recent memory. The game's setting differs from that in most RTS games, and the fact that players can create and play their own custom-designed battles, then play them over a LAN, across the Internet, or through Electronic Arts' Web site. helps round out an already impressive array of features. When it comes down to it, the game is only held back by a few flaws. Fans of real-time strategy will definitely want to check this one out. For hints on this game, visit Tips and Cheats. If you like this type of game, you might want to try Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings or Sid Meier's Gettysburg. Have you played this game? Rate it yourself in Gamecenter User Opinions.
In his off time, Marc Dultz outfits himself as a modern-day Daimyo, complete with silk robe and monocle. Agree or disagree with this review? Let us know.
Electronic Arts Price: $40 ![]()
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Click for printer-friendly format
SPONSORED LINKS
|
|
![]() |
![]() | CNET Services: Auctions · Check Latest Prices · Downloads · Enterprise Business · Find a Web Host · Find an ISP · Free Newsletters · Gadgets · Games · Hardware · Help & How-Tos · Latest PCs · News · Publish Your Opinion · Search · Stock Quotes · Tech Jobs · Web Building
| ![]() |
CNET Jobs | Corrections | How to advertise | Join CNET's Affiliate Program | Support | About CNET |
Back to Top | Join CNET, we're hiring |