If you’re going to die in Shogun 2: Total War, at least have the decency to die under a gentle shower of sakura petals.
Just because this week is all about RTS games set in the far future doesn’t mean that we can’t appreciate a good-looking RTS game set in the past. Case in point – this nifty gameplay-footage-only trailer from Creative Assembly’s upcoming Shogun 2: Total War.
If anime and manga have taught me anything, it’s that there’s no better backdrop for a dramatic and poignant character death than gently-falling cherry blossoms. Perhaps it has to do with their innate tranquility and beauty set against the harsh violence and frailty of our human nature, or perhaps it has to do with how they represent the never-ending cycle of life and death.
Or maybe it’s just because it looks neat – either way works, really. Regardless, the trailer has plenty of great-looking in-game action that should appeal to fans of the original Shogun from many years ago. And yes, there are lots of cherry blossoms to go around.
Set during the 16th century in feudal Japan, Shogun 2 stars the player as a daimyo clan lord out to use his military expertise to claim the title of shogun for himself. Steve Butts saw it at E3 and came away quite impressed.
(via VG247)
