14 DAY TRIAL // Creative Assembly has released a new trailer for its next installment in the Total War franchise, Shogun 2: Total War. This new footage is meant to show off the developer's latest graphic engine, as it acts like cinematic trailer, but it was achieved in using the in-game visuals. If the game does look like this when it is released, it will surely set a new standard for PC strategy outings.
Shogun 2: Total War is meant to shake up things in the Total War series. Creative Assembly are trying to develop a more focused experience than the previous two releases, Empire and Napoleon. There will be nine playable Japanese clans of varying strengths, from the mighty Oda to the well positioned Tokugawa.
One of the new features is the ability of the generals to inspire their troops before battle with speeches. Creative Assembly is boasting that there are over 100,000 possible speeches depending on the location of the army, the character that is leading it and the relationship it has with the enemy. The siege mechanics will be enhanced by making the enemy castles death traps. A siege battle will now have multiple paths and objectives that can be tackled using a large variety of tactics that can bring down the enemy fortress.
The vast improvements that the visuals will receive are quite apparent from the video that can be seen below this article. A new weather system will be implemented and it will change the conditions on the battlefields depending on the season when they take place. Another pretty exciting new feature is that Shogun 2: Total War will be combining land and sea battles in coastal engagements. Players will be able to guide their fleets, while hiding from the enemy in the mist. From there they can create choke points that land units could use in their favor. Shogun 2: Total War will be released sometime in 2011.
Trailer: