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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Short answer: Total War: SHOGUN 2 – Complete Edition is most attractive to an existing Steam owner who wants every campaign and DLC, the 75% launch loyalty discount, modern controls, new minor factions and Japanese or Chinese localisation. For a first-time buyer, waiting for patches or a substantial sale is the safer choice. The remaster launched on 13 October 2026 into severe Steam criticism, and the available evidence does not yet show that it performs better than the original on comparable hardware.
The buying verdict at a glance
The underlying strategy game remains the reason to consider this release: turn-based realm management leads into real-time battles, with diplomacy, sieges, ambushes, Avatar Conquest, co-operative and competitive campaigns, and custom battles for up to eight players. Complete Edition adds visual, interface, language and content upgrades around that foundation.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Total War: Shogun 2 | $11.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Total War: Shogun 2 Gold - PC | $28.49 | Buy on Amazon |
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Total War: Shogun 2 - PC | $22.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Total War : Shogun 2 | $10.85 | Buy on Amazon |
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Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai, Limited Edition - PC | $12.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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Those additions do not automatically make it a good launch purchase. Steam displayed an Overwhelmingly Negative rating at the time of assessment, with 19% positive from 1,522 all-time reviews. GamesRadar and Windows Central reported complaints about bugs, poor performance and graphical problems. Reports and user reactions also alleged AI-upscaled artwork, but no official source confirms that allegation. Treat the reception as a launch-period warning rather than a permanent assessment: patches, driver updates and later reviews can change the picture.
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- New to SHOGUN 2: wait unless you specifically value the complete DLC package, new factions or the language options enough to accept launch uncertainty.
- Already own SHOGUN 2 on Steam: the temporary 75% discount and free legacy DLC make upgrading materially more compelling, provided you can live without your original mods.
- Own the original on another store: verify the entitlement rules before buying; the Steam upgrade arrangement does not apply in the same way elsewhere.
- Depend on a large legacy mod setup: keep the original installation. Original SHOGUN 2 mods do not work in Complete Edition.
What Total War: SHOGUN 2 – Complete Edition includes
Complete Edition is a PC release developed by MATABOO and Creative Assembly and published by SEGA. It launched on 13 October 2026 as an updated version of SHOGUN 2 and its downloadable content. The package includes the base game, the Rise of the Samurai campaign, the Fall of the Samurai campaign and associated DLC.
#1 Best Overall
- Choose from 9 different clans and compete online and offline for the undisputed supremacy of Medieval Japan
- Play through the Main Campaign in single player or invite a friend online to play competitively or cooperatively in Campaign Multiplayer mode
- Developed according to Sun Tzu's principles in the Art of War, the Artificial Intelligence constantly analyzes its situation
- Build and govern cities, recruit and train troops, conduct diplomacy and manage your agents
- Improved land and naval battle gameplay, now with the ability to combine forces and attacks
On Steam, a purchase also grants the original SHOGUN 2 and its DLC, with the Blood Pack specifically excluded from that entitlement. Epic, Microsoft Store and GOG buyers receive Complete Edition only; they do not receive the original game through the package. That storefront difference matters if you want a fallback installation for old mods or the original game’s established performance profile.
| Storefront | What the Complete Edition purchase provides |
|---|---|
| Steam | Complete Edition, plus the original SHOGUN 2 and its DLC except the Blood Pack |
| Epic Games Store | Complete Edition only |
| Microsoft Store | Complete Edition only |
| GOG | Complete Edition only |
The official launch price is £34.99 / €39.99 / $39.99. Existing Steam owners receive a time-limited 75% loyalty discount from launch through 12 November 2026 at the stated regional cutoff, and legacy DLC is supplied at no additional cost. The discount is a one-time launch window, not a permanent owner price, so check the current store page before assuming it is still available.
What is actually new in the remaster?
Visual and display upgrades
SEGA lists improved lighting, shadows and textures. The interface now supports scaling for 1440p and 4K displays, which should make menus, campaign information and battle controls easier to read on high-resolution monitors. These are feature claims from the publisher, not a measured image-quality comparison.
Modernised controls and 64-bit support
The control scheme has been modernised, and the game has moved to a 64-bit build. That may reduce friction on current Windows systems, but it does not prove higher frame rates or eliminate launch bugs. Steam’s published requirements are targets for supported configurations, not independent benchmark results.
Rank #2
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
More playable factions
The remaster adds more than 50 newly playable minor factions. This expands campaign choice beyond the headline clans and gives repeat players additional starting positions and strategic identities. The published material does not provide a complete faction-by-faction list, so do not assume every minor faction has the same depth, units or campaign mechanics as a major clan.
Japanese and Chinese language options
Complete Edition adds full Japanese and Chinese voice acting and text localisation. Players who prefer the setting’s languages can use both spoken audio and interface text rather than relying on subtitles alone. The package’s availability of these options is a concrete advantage over simply running the original with a graphics mod.
Integrated Mod.io support
Mod distribution is integrated through Mod.io. That is a change in platform, not a compatibility layer for the old workshop ecosystem: original SHOGUN 2 mods do not work in Complete Edition. If your campaign depends on a specific overhaul, user interface package, map, unit roster or graphics collection, confirm that an updated version exists before moving your playthrough.
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Does Complete Edition run better or worse than the original?
There is no independent frame-rate or hardware-lab testing in the available evidence, so a definitive “better” or “worse” answer would be misleading. Steam’s requirements indicate a substantially modern target, while launch reporting describes performance problems. The safest conclusion is that performance is uncertain at launch and should not be treated as an upgrade benefit by itself.
Rank #3
- Choose from 9 different clans and compete on and offline for the undisputed supremacy of Medieval Japan. Gain experience to level up your own character-warlord as well as your generals and agents.
- Play through the Main Campaign in single player or invite a friend online to play competitively or cooperatively in Campaign Multiplayer mode.
- Developed according to Sun Tzu's principles in the Art of War, the Artificial Intelligence constantly analyzes its situation and reacts to your every move with greater precision and variety.
- A streamlined User Interface makes management of your kingdom much easier. Build and govern cities, recruit and train troops, conduct diplomacy and manage your agents - each feature is now introduced with comprehensive tutorials
| Configuration | Operating system | Processor | Memory | Graphics | DirectX | Storage | Steam’s stated target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Windows 10 64-bit | Core i3-8100 | 8 GB RAM | GTX 1060 3 GB | DirectX 11 | 70 GB | 1080p/30 or 1440p/30 at minimum settings |
| Recommended | Windows 11 64-bit | Ryzen 7 2700X | 16 GB RAM | RTX 2070 SUPER | DirectX 11 | 70 GB | 1080p/60 at medium settings |
Read those figures as compatibility guidance. They do not promise a locked frame rate, and the recommended specification is not a 1440p/60 guarantee. Steam also lists 70 GB for both configurations, so leave additional free space for the operating system, shader caches and future patches rather than treating 70 GB as a comfortable total-drive requirement.
What launch reports mean for a buyer
GamesRadar and Windows Central described bugs, poor performance and graphical issues around launch. PC Gamer praised SHOGUN 2’s enduring design and recognised the visual, control and voice improvements, but considered the package less essential than expected for existing players. Those accounts point to two separate questions: whether you want the updated feature set, and whether you are willing to troubleshoot an early release.
If a stable campaign is more important than new presentation features, the original Steam version remains the lower-risk choice for owners who already have it. If you are buying elsewhere, remember that Epic, Microsoft Store and GOG do not include the original as a fallback.
What happens to your old mods?
Your original SHOGUN 2 mods will not work in Complete Edition. The remaster uses Mod.io, so the old mod files, launcher subscriptions and compatibility assumptions cannot be carried over automatically.
Rank #4
Before upgrading, make this checklist
- Write down the names of campaigns, overhauls, unit packs and interface mods you consider essential.
- Check whether each creator has published a Complete Edition or Mod.io version.
- Keep the original installation and save files untouched until the new version supports everything you need.
- Expect a modded save to require the same mod versions and load order after migration; do not assume an old save will open correctly.
The final two points are practical safeguards rather than promises of compatibility. The confirmed fact is the important one: the original mod ecosystem is not supported in Complete Edition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the price good value for each type of buyer?
First-time buyer
At £34.99 / €39.99 / $39.99, you receive the complete campaign package, more than 50 additional playable minor factions, modernised controls, high-resolution interface scaling, new language options and the remastered presentation. That is a substantial content bundle, but launch bugs and performance uncertainty weaken the case for paying full price immediately.
Waiting for patches or a substantial discount lets you see whether the negative launch reception improves without giving up the game’s strategic content. A first-time buyer should choose Complete Edition at launch only if the new factions, language features or all-in-one DLC package are more valuable than early stability.
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This is the strongest value case. During the offer period ending 12 November 2026 at the stated regional cutoff, the 75% loyalty discount reduces the cost of entry, and legacy DLC is included at no additional charge. You also gain the remaster’s new factions, controls, display scaling, language support and Mod.io integration.
Best Value
- 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.
- Thirty nine new land units, including modern ranged units - such as the Gatling gun and Armstrong gun - controllable in a new third-person mode.
- New port siege battle type, 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.
- New land and sea unit interactions, during a land battle, armies can call in offshore artillery support barrages.
- Campaign map bombardments: offshore naval units can bombard armies and cities in adjacent coastal areas on the campaign map itself.
The trade-off is permanent for your mod workflow: old SHOGUN 2 mods do not carry across. Keep the original installation if you want both versions, and treat the discounted purchase as an additional edition rather than a clean replacement.
Owner on Epic, Microsoft Store or GOG
Do not assume your existing purchase receives the Steam-style upgrade price or the original game. The documented entitlement for these storefronts is Complete Edition only. Compare the current price with the Steam package and decide whether owning a second copy, losing access to old mods on that installation and accepting launch uncertainty is worthwhile.
Player buying mainly for multiplayer
Complete Edition retains co-operative and competitive campaigns, Avatar Conquest and custom battles for up to eight players. However, the available evidence does not establish whether matchmaking populations, cross-store play or network performance differ from the original. Buy for those modes only after confirming that your intended friends are on the same edition and storefront ecosystem.
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A practical decision framework
Use these four checks before clicking Buy:
- Check ownership: identify whether you already own SHOGUN 2 on Steam. The 75% loyalty discount and free legacy DLC apply to existing Steam owners during the stated launch window.
- Check entitlements: if you are buying on Epic, Microsoft Store or GOG, expect Complete Edition only. Steam is the storefront that includes the original game and its DLC except the Blood Pack.
- Check hardware: compare your PC with Windows 10 64-bit, Core i3-8100, 8 GB RAM and GTX 1060 3 GB minimums, or the Windows 11 64-bit, Ryzen 7 2700X, 16 GB RAM and RTX 2070 SUPER recommended target.
- Check mod dependence: if a campaign requires legacy Workshop mods, stay with the original until equivalent Mod.io versions are available.
Choose Complete Edition now when all four checks point in the same direction: you have the owner discount or strongly want the new content, your hardware meets the target, you can accept launch-period troubleshooting and your essential mods are available or unnecessary. Otherwise, waiting is a rational purchase strategy, not a rejection of the underlying game.
Strengths and compromises
Reasons to buy
- The package combines SHOGUN 2, Rise of the Samurai, Fall of the Samurai and associated DLC.
- Steam owners receive a 75% launch loyalty discount through 12 November 2026 at the stated regional cutoff, plus legacy DLC at no extra cost.
- More than 50 minor factions become playable.
- Lighting, shadows, textures, 1440p/4K interface scaling and modernised controls update the presentation and usability.
- Full Japanese and Chinese voice acting and text localisation broaden language choice.
- Core campaign, battle, diplomacy, siege, ambush, Avatar Conquest, multiplayer and eight-player custom-battle features remain intact.
Reasons to wait or keep the original
- Steam’s launch rating was 19% positive from 1,522 reviews, an unusually poor early signal.
- Launch reporting identified bugs, performance problems and graphical issues.
- No independent testing establishes that the remaster runs faster than the original.
- Original SHOGUN 2 mods are incompatible because Complete Edition uses Mod.io.
- Only Steam includes the original game with the purchase; Epic, Microsoft Store and GOG provide Complete Edition only.
- The Blood Pack is excluded from the original-game DLC entitlement on Steam.
Final recommendation
For most new buyers, wait for patches or a substantial discount. Complete Edition offers real additions rather than a cosmetic rename, but the launch reception and unresolved performance questions make full-price adoption hard to justify when the original design is already available elsewhere.
For existing Steam owners, the answer is more favorable during the 75% discount window. The all-DLC package, new factions, modern controls and language options can justify upgrading if you do not depend on legacy mods. Keep the original installed, because Complete Edition is not compatible with that mod library.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
