Shogun 2 is getting an upgrade to a new edition, and it offers even more than before.
Among fans of the historical Total War series, Shogun 2 is still considered one of the best ever. The strategy game plunges you into the wars for supremacy in Japan during the Sengoku period in the 16th century. As a daimyo, you lead a clan that, along with many others, fights to rule all of Japan as the shogun.
It completely captivated fans right from its release in 2011. Now, this legendary Total War is officially returning! On October 13, the so-called Complete Edition will be released on Steam, Epic, GOG, and the Microsoft Store. A blend of the full version and a minor remaster.
Here’s what’s included in the Complete Edition
The Complete Edition combines all major expansions and standalone titles related to Shogun 2 into one comprehensive game. So you get the base game, all the DLCs, and the two expansions, Rise of the Samurai and Fall of the Samurai. The latter is particularly exciting, as Fall of the Samurai runs as a standalone game and was subsequently treated by Creative Assembly—with the “Saga” label—more like a completely separate game. On Steam, for example, “Shogun 2” isn’t even in the title anymore.
But that’s not all. With this update, buyers of the new edition will also receive a number of additional benefits designed to make the strategy game feel at least a little fresher in 2026. Especially from a technical standpoint, there was some catching up to do 15 years after its release. That’s about to change:
- Improved lighting
- Improved textures
- Improved shadows
- 1440p resolution and 4K UI scaling
- Modernized controls
- Over 50 new playable sub-factions
- Integrated mod support via Mod.io
- 64-bit upgrade
- Complete Japanese and Chinese voiceovers and dubbing
The last point might be confusing. After all, the game already featured Japanese voiceovers—for example, when generals gave their pre-battle speeches. Absurdly, though, that was about it. Aside from such purely atmospheric text, there was no Japanese localization for Shogun 2. That’s about to change.
You’ll Get Free DLCs
If you buy the Complete Edition at launch, you’ll get the package for 40 euros. If you already own Shogun 2, there’s a discount available for you from October 13 through November 12. During that time, the upgrade will cost you just 10 euros. However, it seems there’s no benefit to owning the two expansions in addition to the main game. If you want the graphical upgrade, you’ll definitely have to buy the Complete Edition.
At least, starting October 13, you’ll get all the small DLCs for free—provided you don’t already own them. This applies even if you haven’t purchased the Complete Edition. However, this doesn’t apply to the Blood Pack, since otherwise the game’s age rating would have to be raised.
The original version of Shogun will no longer be available for purchase starting October 13, but it’s included in the Complete Edition. So if you want to play the way you did 15 years ago, you still can. This also ensures that mods remain compatible, as they would likely conflict with the improved version of Shogun 2.
