Paradox surprised some today with its announcement of Sengoku, a game based on…15th century Feudal Japan. Now, I know, Sega and CA are releasing Shogun 2 on March 15th, and it’s based on, well, the exact same time period. But that’s ok, right? I mean this period in history is fascinating stuff and if the industry can support 1,000 zombie games, 2,000 games about World War II then why can’t we have a few about rival Daimyos trying to be Shogun?
I ASSUME this is will more grand strategy like Europa Universalis without the 3D combat model of Shogun 2. Paradox is at its best when its games are more big picture rather than minute detail in terms of fighting, and taking on the budget of Shogun 2 in terms of graphics and combat models is risky, but we’ll see.
We’ll have more on this one as soon as possible. Todd is working on a new Mount & Blade Q&A so I’ll try to get some additional info on this one as well.
I have a feeling they are trying to use the wake of Shogun 2′s release for their marketing and get people interested. I have no issue with that as long as the game’s actually good. Hopefully, it’s not going to be something alla EU: Rome. I am interested in anything that comes out of Paradox.
We’ll see.
Between the Euro-orchestral with a side of pan flute game music, the suggested notion that ninja somehow played any truly significant role in the outcome of the warring states period, and that the emperor’s wishes mattered at all, this is not a promising start.
That said, I’ve seen no gameplay and the need to appeal to an audience wider than Japanese history buffs is understandable. Hopefully, the next trailer shows a great game under all the stereotypical hooey. However, given that history and strategy buffs are Paradox’s core audience, I expected more.
I’m hoping this will turn to be something like “Crusader Kings in Japan in the Sengoku Jidai period”, which actually sounds quite awesome and unique. But information is too sparse right now to really know if that is the case. As a full-on Paradox fan (and a big fan of that particular period of Japan history), I’ll definitely keep an eye on it.