Based on the original Pike & Shot game, Sengoku Jidai takes the concept to Eastern Asia and allows the player to battle against Japanese, Korean or Chinese opponents. It features campaigns from the Warring States period of Japan to the Imjin War (when the Japanese invaded Korea and battled the Joseon and Ming Dynasty).
Original First Impressions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU_p6QUQJRs
Combat is, of course, the main focus of the game. Turn-based combat where the player must flank, disrupt and destroy enemy formations in order to gain victory. There are various troops from swordsmen, archers, spearmen, cavalry, cannons and all manner of units that have differing qualities and morale. For example, Yari Samurai will perform better than Yari Ashigaru and because Samurai are more elite warriors than Ashigaru will hold the line whereas Ashigaru may falter against larger foes. Firearms are a new technology which have ludicrously powerful volleys when fired at point blank range yet suffer from Line of Sight and range issues whereas a bow can fire overtop units at longer ranges. Cannons are also powerful tools you can use, yet they are far more of a morale breaker than a damaging unit. Some units even come with a cannon attachment, making them more powerful frontline units. New additions to this version from Pike & Shot also includes new general units which provide morale bonuses and can be killed in battle affecting morale of their associated side.

While I could talk in depth about the mechanics of the game, I think it's more important to explain whether it's good or not. Simply put, it is. If you were a fan of Pike & Shot: Campaigns and you're interested in an Eastern setting with brand new maps, units and tactics then this is the game for you. As a huge fan of Pike & Shot: Campaigns, I was more than happy to step back into the world of Pike & Shot plus I can't help but feel that many major Asian conflicts have been left out of our modern Western gamespace so it was a no brainer to tackle conflicts like the Imjin war or various Japanese campaigns. Also, that music is freaking great. Seriously, it's probably my favorite part... just wish there was more of it. Definitely recommended.

Based on the original Pike & Shot game, Sengoku Jidai takes the concept to Eastern Asia and allows the player to battle against Japanese, Korean or Chinese opponents. It features campaigns from the Warring States period of Japan to the Imjin War (when the Japanese invaded Korea and battled the Joseon and Ming Dynasty). Original First Impressions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU_p6QUQJRs Combat is, of course, the main focus of the game. Turn-based combat where the player must flank, disrupt and destroy enemy formations in order to gain victory. There are various troops from swordsmen, archers, spearmen, cavalry, cannons and all manner of units that have differing qualities and morale. For example, Yari Samurai will perform better than Yari Ashigaru and because Samurai are more elite warriors than Ashigaru will hold the line whereas Ashigaru may falter against larger foes. Firearms are a new technology which have ludicrously powerful volleys when fired at point blank range yet suffer from Line of Sight and range issues whereas a bow can fire overtop units at longer ranges. Cannons are also powerful tools you can use, yet they are far more of a morale breaker than a damaging unit. Some units even come with a cannon attachment, making them more powerful frontline units. New additions to this version from Pike & Shot also includes new general units which provide morale bonuses and can be killed in battle affecting morale of their associated side. While I could talk in depth about the mechanics of the game, I think it's more important to explain whether it's good or not. Simply put, it is. If you were a fan of Pike & Shot: Campaigns and you're interested in an Eastern setting with brand new maps, units and tactics then this is the game for you. As a huge fan of Pike & Shot: Campaigns, I was more than happy to step back into the world of Pike & Shot plus I can't help but feel that many major Asian conflicts have been left out of our modern Western gamespace so it was a no brainer to tackle conflicts like the Imjin war or various Japanese campaigns. Also, that music is freaking great. Seriously, it's probably my favorite part... just wish there was more of it. Definitely recommended.