Monday, May 23, 2016

Sengoku Jidai: Shadow of the Shogun Gameplay Review

I'm playing Sengoku Jidai: Shadow of the Shogun, a turn-based strategy game by Byzantine Games and Slitherine.

From the developer of Pike and Shot and using the Battle Academy engine, the game has some nice features: a number of historical scenarios, campaigns where armies are moved around the map to capture provinces, randomized skirmishes, and asynchronous online multiplayer. Units include infantry (including samurai), powerful cavalry, and ranged units carrying arrows or gunpowder. Generals have a positive influence on surrounding units. Units can be instructed to move, turn (which consumes all of their action points), shoot, charge, or fall back. Once engaged in melee, units will remain engaged until one side routs. Because of this, flanking engaged units (especially with cavalry) is the best strategy for ultimate victory. Terrain can also be used to your advantage. Ranged units are generally useless as the damage they cause is very minimal and they can’t engage units in close combat. The AI is a capable opponent, regularly using effective flanking attacks. With a distinctive setting and theme, Sengoku Jidai: Shadow of the Shogun expands and improves upon the developer’s previous title.