Shogun 2: Naval Q&A
Today is a fine day indeed. For in this, our latest blog, we’re revealing brand new, exclusive details about naval combat in Total War: Shogun 2. Featured today are design impresarios Gabor Beressy and Jamie Ferguson.
Please could you tell us a little about the different types of boat in Total War: Shogun 2?
GB: At the moment we have five major categories of ship in naval battles: Light, Medium, Heavy, Cannon and Trade ships. These types define not just the size, but the characteristic of the ships.
For example, light ships are smaller and faster than their heavy counterparts, with better manoeuvrability – ideal for ranged attacks. Although these are similar ships they all have their unique role within the light ship class (support arrow fire, close range firebomb throwing or matchlock fire). The medium and heavy ships are more robust, slower ships with a larger number of crew aboard. These are much better when it comes to boarding enemy vessels. Cannon ships are late-game units with devastating cannon fire. You won’t be able to get many of these!
How different is the naval combat of Shogun 2 to that of Empire or Napoleon?
GB: It’s really different. Because of the new weapon and ship types, the gameplay has changed a lot. The design goal was to create ships with unique roles, which can be combined and used differently during battles. For example you will be able to use a medium ship to board a heavy ship, while one of your light ships can give support fire without risk of being boarded.
In previous TW titles, it was often the case that “bigger was better”. Is this true of the ships in Shogun 2 also?
GB: Not anymore. Certain ship types are still better in attacking others, just as before – but every ship has a counter unit. For example: light ships used properly in small numbers are designed to be able to take down heavy ships.
Two or three light bow ships can kill the archers on a heavy ship and burn it to the waterline with fire arrows from a safe distance. These bow ships, however, are really vulnerable to any kind of ranged or boarding attack, so you will lose one or two during the attempt. It all ties into the whole rock-paper-scissor ethos behind Shogun 2 – everything works in balance, and the player has to make some tricky strategic decisions along the way.
Will gunpowder feature in Shogun 2’s naval battles?
GB: Yes. We will have ships with matchlock crews, and Japanese and European ships with cannons. Maintaining these ships won’t be cheap, but will definitely be worth the money! Of course, if you don’t have access to gunpowder weapons you won’t be able to recruit them. But maybe you will be able to capture them!
How does the inclusion of land affect the tactical flow of naval battles?
GB: The addition of different terrain features will give much more diversity to the battles. You can defend areas between islands, or try to lure the enemy into a trap – forcing them in to an area where it can’t manoeuvre with heavy ships. You can use terrain as cover against enemy fire, regroup your ships and attack from a better position.
Is it possible for me to beach my ship, or be forced against the rocks?
GB: You won’t be able to beach your ships but if you go near shallow water it will slow down or stop your ships completely. Speed is an advantage in battles so keep moving. It’s better to try and avoid getting hemmed in.
Will fire be returning in naval combat, and will I be able to repair my ships?
GB: Yes, definitely! The repair feature is still in the game and hopefully we will have more burning ships then before! Thanks to the fire arrows and firebombs, I expect a lot of spectacular battles with burning and sinking ships.
What else has been done to further enhance the visual elements of naval combat?
JF: Unlike previous total war sea battles, land now makes an appearance in naval battles with all that element brings to the battlefield. This results in dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches, reefs and islands. We even have whales and seagulls making an appearance. The naval battles also reflect the weather and time of day. This means we have Fog, Snow, Rain and Night time battles.
CL: And I’m going to add that the coastal water looks incredible!
Thanks for your time, guys.
-CraigTW
Will you be able to combine the land and sea combat? example have cannons on the shores firing on ships or have sea based artillery firing on your land troops?
Posted by Jonathan Ouellet on November 29th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Sounds awesome, especially wih the rare gunpowder ships. I look forward to carry throught “small missions” there i put up a special naval force to hunt and capture these rare and expensive ships.
Posted by andreas on November 29th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
[...] Više detalja možete saznati na službenom blogu. [...]
Posted by Total War: Shogun 2 – pomorski blog « MetaGem.hr on November 29th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Will there be a possibility to ram the enemy ship?
Posted by Flipper on November 30th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
“Will gunpowder feature in Shogun 2’s naval battles?
GB: Yes. We will have ships with matchlock crews, and Japanese and European ships with cannons”
You say here that there will be European ships with cannons. Does this mean that (for instance) you can request help from the Europeans who came to Japan in this period?
Anyways it sounds really awesome. Thanks for the info guys!
Posted by Niels on November 30th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
[...] guys of the SEGA Total War Blog have posted a Q&A regarding the naval component of the game. Summarised, there will be 5 types [...]
Posted by Shogun II Naval Combat Q&A | Shogun 2 Dojo on November 30th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
[...] [...]
Posted by Shogun 2 - solo informazioni - NON COMMENTI - Pagina 3 - Total Games Italia Forum on November 30th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Will there be a sort of beach landing combat with the use of infantry and ships?
Posted by PhilNaz on December 1st, 2010 at 2:46 am
Oh O, Better watch out whales, you’re in Japanese waters.
Posted by Warhol on December 1st, 2010 at 9:46 am
sounds great.can’t wait to buy it!!!
Posted by Andrei on December 5th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Please do Rome 2 Total war every one would Be increadibly Happy for SEGA and or Activision
Posted by Logan on December 12th, 2010 at 1:02 am
[...] Hier trouwens nog een artikel over naval combat: Total War Blog | Shogun 2: Naval Q&A [...]
Posted by Shogun 2: Total War - Pagina 5 - 9lives - Games Forum on December 15th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
@Logan : Im pretty sure Activision has no part in the making of TW games
Posted by Total War Fan on December 16th, 2010 at 2:41 am
yeah… ROME:Total War 2 would be epic with tech tree and new engine. testudo ftw.
Posted by seeme on December 16th, 2010 at 7:31 am
I think that a Rome 2 total war would be great. And for shogun 2 I would very much like to see naval battles that include land aswell. Meaning you can swap back and forth with a naval and land army
Posted by gregger on December 16th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
game looks grea been following on utube so far 2 battle reports both look great and i think it would be bttr to make another 1800s game like civil war total war u wouldnt have to do just american but alot of wep advances happened during with that period in ships cannons guns would be cool or a medevil 3 thx
Posted by nathan on December 20th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Rome 2: Total War would Be the the best game ever!
Posted by Isakus Manimus on December 21st, 2010 at 7:28 pm
will you be having the mongol invasion of hakata bay. for example naval battles together with land battles.
Posted by Alexandre on December 28th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Will other nations such as indian, chinese and europeans also make an appearance in the game or at least have any influence (like trading with europeans for spices and things like that.)
Posted by total war freak on January 2nd, 2011 at 8:09 pm
If you plan on expansions like you did with Shogun, please make the Koreans (Chosun) as well as other factions more historically accurate. The Mongols did not invade Japan during the 15th to 17th centuries. And if you do, please introduce the Korean turtle ships and Panokseon. They were very relevant in that period of Japanese and Korean history. It was their long-range fire power that significantly turned the tide against Hideyoshi’s invasion of the continent.
Posted by William on January 12th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Why not naval invasions? Or land units firing at ships or ships firing at land units?
Posted by Total War Dude on January 24th, 2011 at 8:53 am
The think that the naval battles will either be brilliant or terrible. I’m going to remain optimistic (which is rare for me) and hope that naval battles will be really well done.
Posted by bhyat1 on January 26th, 2011 at 8:35 am
if an opponent has troops on the beaches when you attack will you have to try an anphibious assault?
Posted by doddydad on January 30th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
[...] Definitely a good few improvements! Although there are more which you can check out at segas blog. [...]
Posted by Shogun 2 Total War – Preview | Gamer City on March 6th, 2011 at 8:55 pm
I have seen this on video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEU-cJK9_Fc and its rock i like this game….
Posted by Daisy on March 26th, 2011 at 6:17 am