Total War: Shogun 2 Fall of the Samurai Limited Edition includes:

• Exclusive Saga faction pack, “The Emperor’s Dili­gence” – Centuries of trade with outsiders has given the people of Saga an understanding of foreign and modern ways, allowing them to adopt new military technology quickly.
• Double-sided poster – featuring two stunning game artworks
• Limited Edition packaging sleeve.

The standalone expansion to the award winning Total War: SHOGUN 2 explores the conflict between the Imperial throne and the last Shogunate in 19th century Japan, 400 years after the events of the original game – a dramatic clash of traditional Samurai culture with the explosive power of modern weaponry.

Guide ancient Japan into the modern age, as the arrival of America, Britain and France incites a ferocious civil war which will decide the future of the nation.

Features:

• Based on the backdrop of the Boshin War period, the new campaign starts in 1864, a time of growing resentment against Western colonial power and influence. As Japan began to modernise and industrialise, the inevitable social and economic changes led to increasingly militant nationalism and antipathy towards the Shogunate.
• Play as a clan supporting the Imperial throne, or the last Shogunate
• The American, British and French nations played an important part in the story of the Boshin war and your relations with these foreign powers will be integral to unit recruitment and to advancing your technology trees.
• The new island of Ezo extends the SHOGUN 2 campaign map northwards.
• Fully refreshed towns and other campaign map features reflect the different time period, with railways making their first appearance in a Total War title.
• Develop your own railway network to move armies and agents between your regions.
• Railways can be sabotaged and transport can be blocked by enemy armies who take control of parts of the line or railway stations.
• Including modern ranged units – such as the Gatling gun and Armstrong gun – controllable in a new first-person mode.
• New units can also be recruited from foreign powers, including the British Royal Marines, US Marine Corps and French Marines.
• New steam-powered warships, heavily armed with modern artillery.
• This new battle type triggers when attempting a naval assault on an occupied enemy port.
• The attacking fleet must sail into the harbour and capture the port, running the gauntlet of coastal gun defences.
• During a land battle, armies can call in offshore artillery support barrages.
• Conversely, costal gun emplacements can target enemy ships during port siege battles, when ending their turn within the range of upgraded coastal defences.
• Campaign map bombardments: offshore naval units can bombard armies and cities in adjacent coastal areas on the campaign map itself.
• 3 new agent types : The Foreign Veteran, the Ishin Shishi and the Shinshengumi.
• Each new agent has its own skill tree. Ninja and Geisha agents have had their skill trees updated.
• New upgradable tower defences can be built with a specific defence specialty: archery, matchlock or Gatling gun.
• Fight in 4 brand-new dramatic portrayals of the major historical battles of the Boshin War.
• New Conquest map reflecting the 19th century setting
• Brand-new Fall of the Samurai avatar, including:
  • Over 40 new retainers
  • Over 30 new armour pieces
  • New 19th century avatar skill tree
• Multiple avatars: players can enjoy multiple careers and progression across Shogun 2 and Fall of The Samurai

*DOES NOT require the original base game Total War Shogun 2 in order to play

Review by Gamespot
"…Fall of the Samurai looks as great as its predecessor and is full of interesting visual details. For example, experienced British military advisors grow larger mustaches, and master shinobi don masks that give them an almost demonic appearance. Trains travel across provinces that were undeveloped backwaters just a few years before. Furthermore, when you take direct control of an artillery unit, the camera follows the cannonball as it flies through the air toward your target. In addition to interesting details, Fall of the Samurai sports visuals as impressive as any of the other Total War games. In fact, Fall of the Samurai is beautiful whether you are watching moody nighttime battles barely illuminated by units' lanterns, the fiery naval battles, or Republican Guard infantry mowing down spear cavalry with their muzzle-loading rifles. The sound effects are likewise excellent, in keeping with the high standards of the series.

Overall, Fall of the Samurai is an exceptional stand-alone expansion that adds some welcome improvements while retaining everything that made the original game great. In fact, the only major drawback to Fall of the Samurai over Shogun 2 is that the load times are quite long. Fans of the series who want to play with ironclads, railroads, and Gatling guns shouldn't hesitate to pick it up. If, however, you haven't enjoyed the modern thrust of the series from Empire onward, then you should pass on this one."

The Good

• Stands alone but you can spar with Shogun 2 players
• Modern era units add more bang to the Total War formula
• Off shore bombardment breathes new life into navies
• Mix of new and old units lets you bring swords to a (Gatling) gun fight.

The Bad

• Long load times
• Railroads have limited utility.

8.5/10 – Great.