I was playing shogun from day one. In fact i had shogun before I had an internet connection! I remember seeing a review on a TV program about pc games late at night. I can't remember what it was called, but it was presented by two women and was on Channel 4 I think It covered the usual playstation type of stuff as well as the odd PC game towards the end. I recall seeing the 3D battlefields and the little Pagoda type structures and armies of Samurai, and was awed. I just knew I had to buy this game. I can remember my first time doing the tutorial where you have to wear down the Yari Samurai enough to take them on with your archers in melee and losing badly every time, until eventually I cracked it! That felt good.

I agree with most of the posts above. STW had all important atmosphere and ambience, but above all else it had class.