Comprehensive Review of the Collector's Edition of Total War: Shogun 2 + Detailed DLC Description

Hello everyone! Nowadays, it's trendy to review collectibles. There have already been 2 or even 3 of them. However, I found them not 100% informative. Therefore, I decided to make a complete review of the collector's edition of Total War: Shogun 2 with plenty of detailed photos not against the backdrop of curtains/rugs/sofas, but against a backdrop of neatly arranged A4-sized white sheets.

And since this is still a complete review of the collectible, I will also describe all the DLC bonuses that come with it and provide a small overview with illustrations. As well as a couple of tips for completing the historical battles included with the DLC.

**The collector's edition includes:**

*- A cardboard box with a special glossy coating.

- A map of feudal Japan printed on fabric (62x28 cm) and a 48-page art book in hardcover.

- A code to download unique DLC: an exclusive playable clan (Hattori Ninja), an additional historical battle (the battle of Nagashino), a historical battle (the battle of Kawagoe) for those who preordered the game, as well as special armor that gives an advantage in combat and an experience multiplier for multiplayer.

And on top of everything, a freebie from Petrovka.ua. In the form of a volumetric magnet featuring the art from the game's cover.

The first thing we see when we receive the collector's edition is, of course, its box. At first glance, it looks great. It shimmers with the colors of the rainbow, and the logo and screenshots on the back are slightly embossed, adding even more charm. But after a minute of acquaintance, we understand that, despite its appearance, it is quite fragile, and its walls are thin, making it easily susceptible to physical damage and deformation. It's a pity, but it looks good in the room’s interior.



After unboxing, our anxiety about the box's fragility disappears as we behold its magnificent contents.

Let's start with the small things.

DVD-Box contains two DVD disks, activation keys for the game and DLC (on a separate leaflet), as well as a User Guide in Russian.


The 48-page art book in brown hardcover features a shiny game logo.

All pages are photographed under the spoiler.





I should also mention the freebie from Petrovka.ua. In the form of a high-quality volumetric magnet, printed with the art that is on the game's cover. (This is not just for the collector's edition)

And finally, the essence of the collector's edition, namely, the map printed on fabric (whether it's synthetic or silk, I do not know, and I'm not informed on how to determine that)

The map is excellently printed, the whole picture is clear and detailed. The size is perfectly chosen. Not small and not huge, just what is needed. It is also a great decoration for the interior.


But let's return to the contents of the DVD-Box. In addition to the game itself, there are activation keys for the game and DLC, and we are particularly interested in the second key because its bonuses have not been described in detail anywhere.

Again, let’s start small.

When creating a campaign, we have the opportunity to play as the exclusive playable clan "Hattori"; they are masters of the dark arts and are based just below Kyoto in the province \looking at the map of Japan from the collectible** Iga and have many bonuses for special troops. (For more details, see the screenshot)

Also, all buyers of the collector's edition receive special armor "Golden Fish".

Which gives us a bonus of -1 to the morale of all enemy ashigaru. And it also looks fashionable.


Moreover, we also receive some experience multiplier for multiplayer, to level up our commander. I hope it exists, as I have not seen any evidence or notifications about it.

And finally, two historical battles.

Descriptions, tips for completion, and screenshots are below.

The Battle of Nagashino. The plot of the historical battle is as follows.

Katsuori Takeda with his army prepares to besiege Nagashino Castle on the lands of the Tokugawa clan. And it seems that Lord Tokugawa has no chance of rescue. But fortunately for Lord Tokugawa, the outstanding commander Nobunaga Oda comes to help him, along with his army.

Our task is to repel the cavalry raids on our position, after which we regroup and destroy the last remnants of Takeda’s forces on the way to the castle, thus preventing its capture.

The historical battle is quite simple and can be completed relatively easily at the highest difficulty level, yet it is very colorful and engaging.

The initial tactic is as simple as pie. We set up one unit of ashigaru with teppo behind every unit of ashigaru with yari and put them in "Pike Wall" mode. At the same time, we ensure that the flanks are protected. That’s all there is to it.

Also, in the first and third waves, we will be facing flanking and rear attacks. Thus, we need to react promptly to these attacks and move the ashigaru with yari units where needed to minimize losses. Once the enemy army is destroyed, we will need to leave our positions and attack the last stronghold of Takeda, which is located right before the walls of Nagashino castle. This is probably the most challenging stage, as the passages are narrow everywhere, and the enemy still has many troops, and the concentration is high per square meter of land.

At this point, it's crucial not to rush. We close off all passages using ashigaru with yari in the same mode and shoot kilograms of lead at the enemy directly across the river, then send everything we have into battle and finish off the remaining troops. At the same time, we shouldn’t neglect ashigaru with teppo, as they can hold their own even in close combat.

The Battle of Kawagoe. The historical background of the battle is as follows.

Night. The main Hōjō castle located in Musashi province and known as Kawagoe was besieged by the united forces of the Uesugi, Imagawa clans, as well as the armies of Tomosada Agigaya and Shogun Ashikaga. But since they were confident in their victory, they didn’t even leave a guard at their camps. Thus, the Hōjō forces held the defenses of the castle until reinforcement arrived and destroyed the enemy troops by attacking from the rear.

Historically, it was so. In reality, everything is very complicated, and it is still unclear how one can complete it at maximum difficulty level.

The enemy numbers exceed ours by 3-4 times, amounting to about 6,000 soldiers. During the siege, we kill about half, but the remaining half sweeps us away and calmly captures the castle. There is also the insufficiency of troops to defend the walls from all sides, leading to the enemy easily climbing the walls and moving further in some places.

We couldn’t get through on the first attempt. I did not try the second, but I can note the following.

Most of the fortress levels are very spacious and difficult to defend. I think it's worth turning a blind eye to one or two parts of the castle or even the entire thing and simply pulling all our troops to the central level, which we need to hold. Going through 2-3 levels of walls, the enemy will lose many warriors due to falling down while climbing the walls, as well as simply because they will be under a rain of arrows from our archers and the castle towers. When the enemy reaches the central section of the castle, they will be severely exhausted and beaten. And at the top, they will find a united army waiting for them.

Thus, we will not spread ourselves thin and waste troops unnecessarily but will have a solid fist in one place, without gaps in the walls. Moreover, we will protect ourselves from the enemy’s archers. For they will not be able to shoot at our troops from beneath the fortress walls. And if they can, they will arrive significantly later, giving us even more time until any kind of reinforcement (which is very small, 400-600 soldiers NOT under our control).

I also note that we must not yield to the enemy at the southern gate, as it is through here that our reinforcement must enter the castle. If it is captured, then the reinforcement will have to climb, just like the enemy, on the walls, as the gates will be closed.

Well, that’s all. In conclusion, I can only say that the collector's edition is, on one hand, not rich in various bonuses, but it certainly justifies its extra 500 rubles compared to the standard DVD Box. Essentially, we get a mini DLC, such as those that were in Empire: Total War, which cost 3-5 dollars on Steam, and for the remaining money, we get a map and an art box with the case, which are quite worth the remaining 12.5 dollars (500 rub. = approx. 17.5 dollars).

Based on this, I believe that the collector's edition is a must-have for fans.


It's also common to include a cat in a review of a collector's edition. I wanted to do this, but the cat was sweetly sleeping, so I didn’t want to wake him up.


P.S The photographing, editing of photos (as the camera is not great, so Photoshop was essential), trying out the DLC, and other activities took about 8 hours of pure time. I am tired and am going to play Shogun 2... .

P.S. I also think it will be enough to promote one of my posts. More specifically, Retro Review of the Game Shogun: Total War with Razer's support