First Impressions?

**SalmonSoil** · 03-23-2012, 00:52

I tried to expand at my normal rate but oh god modernization + anti-imperial resentment and now all of my neighbors are at war with me. It seems like neighbors will switch allegiance before attacking you, both Tosa and Hiroshima have done this to me (I am Choshu), as well a Tsukumi or whatever that faction to the west of Bizen is.

Also naval bombardments rock.

**cr2** · 03-23-2012, 01:30

Gatling guns, awesome, came in handy when I was faced with an enemy army x2. I also like the option that you can now beat the campaign with allies as opposed to having to be at war with absolutely everyone. I was slow to build my navy at first and paid the price in enemy ship bombardments.

**Grin** · 03-23-2012, 02:47

So far I'm very impressed. The balance between traditional and modern units feels good. I was concerned that the traditional units would be more rapidly overwhelmed. Every unit seems to have it's place, even if like the other campaigns it's difficult to justify expensive niche units, particularly as you modernize and get more powerful line units.

And God bless the return of functional battlefield artillery.

**Veho Nex** · 03-23-2012, 07:55

Man, Im rollin scrubs so hard in MP. So far 11-1 in ranked battles where my only loss was because of a bad map where the enemy could shoot my guys and i couldn't shoot back.

Love the battles, so atmospheric. It's by far my favorite total war since Rome was released.

**Graphic** · 03-23-2012, 10:17

Going out on a limb and calling this track from the game one of the best thing Jeff van Dyck has made:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

It reminds me of the depressing and empty (yet beautiful) tracks from Civ V after reaching the modern period. This makes me giggle when imagining how goosbumpingly beautiful Jeff van Dyck's soundtrack for an ACW:TW would be.

**Sp4** · 03-23-2012, 20:15

Oh teh smoke everywhere o\

Also, why did they have to do away with the Japanese language and make everyone speak really accented Engrish?

Also.. Gatring guns at ze ready.

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A bit deeper first impression...

Stuff dies way too fast =p

Lack of tutorial for the new navies, or lack of tutorial in general is pretty lame for what used to be the price of a new game but I guess, in this modern age, 30 quid for an expansion is normal.
Several annoying sound bugs and an unecessary battle announcer who talks bullshit half the time anyways, but hey, this is Total War, so we're kinda used to laughing at advisors/announcers.
Campaign map feels empty... really empty. I kinda miss the busy campaign map from RTW or M2TW, where there were carts and ships all over the place but that carried over from S2 I suppose.

Hmmm... I shall post some more, as I play some more =p

**andrewt** · 03-23-2012, 20:41

They have Shogun 1 style Japanese-accented Engrish? Awesome!

**Graphic** · 03-24-2012, 01:14

Originally Posted by Sp4

Stuff dies way too fast =p

In this case it's historically accurate, even if it was by accident. When you combine Napoleonic tactics with rifles and accurate artillery, you get devastating attrition rates. The Battle of Antietam is still the bloodiest day in American military history.