Shogun: Total War (Warlord Edition) (PC Games, 2001)

This is an excellent risk like strategy game. Set in 16th century japan, you take control of one of 6 great clans attempting to become the Shogun or lord of Japan. You must build up armies, make alliances, declare wars, and protect your daimyo. Your Daimyo represents you, he is the leader of the clan so if he dies and has no heirs you are finished. This is an excellent game, but it can be a little frustrating. Like one time, I was SO close to winning, just a few rebels to crush with more then 3/4 of the map mine, when suddenly, My daimyo died of illness... All my heirs had been assasinated earlier in the game and... I lost.... JUST ANOTHER 3 TURNS AND I WOULD HAVE WON!!! But thats war for ya... What I love about this game is the choices to make. "Should I stay allied with the Oda or the Takeda?" "Should I attack that rebel or try to bribe him?" "Should I accept guns from the Portugese and turn christian or wait for the Dutch?" The choices are limitless and one bad decision could send your conquest right down the toilet so you must think carefully. If you dont feel like going on a complete campaign, you can learn a few things in the tutorials, fight a custom battle, or embark on a Historical Campaign which is a quick series of battles meant to show the lifes work of one of japans great warlords, or an alternate reality with the Mongol invasion. If you dont feel like trying to unite japan, why not attempt to conquer it? The Mongol invasion campaign is what may have happened if the mongol fleet were able to successfully land on Japan, rather then get stopped by a freak storm. Play as the Mongols and try to take Japan for the great Kahn, or play as the Hojo clan and attempt to force them out. With 4 different starting locations for each clan, rather then just the 1 set in the original version, there are many different ways to start your conquest. Plus, new units, such as the legendary Kensai or sword saint, I trained one of those with Legendary armor and weapons and he managed to hold his own against 180 enemies! And new strategies. If you feel a seige is lasting to long, you can attempt to infiltrate with a ninja and open the gates from the inside. If you dont feel like you could take that level 4, 1000 men rebel army, you can bribe them and bring them to your side. My strategy uses controversial means... By which I mean bribery and assasination and it works pretty well... Unless I run out of money or my best ninja is killed. I would suggest this game to anyone who likes strategy games.