Shogun: Total War

Herald rating: * * * * *

Playstation

Electronic Arts

PC $99.95

M15

Review: Peter Eley

Computer games are increasingly following the pattern of Hollywood movies: if it works once, the chances are it will work again, and again, and again.

So we are getting sequels, prequels, sons of and so on. It takes a brave company to break the mould when games cost in the tens of millions to make.

Shogun, while not quite breaking the mould, certainly cracks it. It is a splendid game, rich, deep, satisfying and beautiful to look at. A mix of turn-based strategy and real-time action, it is more than the sum of its parts.

Set in medieval Japan, Shogun captures the period beautifully. After a couple of hours, you'll feel like a Samurai warrior.

The plot, as the title says, is strongly war-based, but there's far more to it than fighting. The turn-based part of the game is much more important and involves all sorts of machinations, including diplomatic deception, court intrigue and even assassination.

The actual real-time combat takes place in superb 3D, but can be bypassed altogether. Die-hard strategy fans may choose to do this, but will be missing out on lots of fun.

And while the general precept of collecting resources to fund buildings and military units is old hat, management is much tighter than in similar games.

Again, many of the units — archers, cavalry, infantry units — pop up in other games, but how about geisha girl spies and ninja assassins?

They're unique and properly used can alter the course of a game. The downside to Shogun is that it is hard to pick up. But perseverance will pay off with hours of fascination and pleasure.

E-mail:peter_eley@herald.co.nz