In comparison to its competition I suggest getting something else instead, I picked this up with the intention of playing a turn-based wargame like strategy game. What I got was a dice rolling simulator that cheats. Let me explain: the enemy charging you while standing in a stream do they receive a debuff? If you answered yes that is not how the game views it, instead it will buff the enemy if it charged/is charged. Try to use that same tactic? Enjoy that 40 free damage you just incurred from the enemy charging you because you are in a stream. That isn't the end of it, forests seem to abide their own rules and only exist to frustrate archers and offer nothing in terms of offering you a buff if the enemy has to fight on open ground. That is, of course, the enemy tries the exact same thing. I would have enjoyed this game, I would have enjoyed if it attempted to be a chaos-of-battle simulator. The fact of the matter is that it hides critical decision making information and arbitrarily distributes bonuses when it wishes to.
Buy this on sale! Let me preface this with what is wrong with the game: the WotS series is not made for keyboard and mouse, it also sometimes requires you to put in your PhyX files directly into it's directory so if it's giving you an error at start that is probably why. Now what is so great about this game? Have you ever seen the comedic kung fu movies and wished for a samurai equivalent? That is this game. Most of the characters you with face are complete hams or are just the most cliched of tropes. The grinding is real but you ramp up quickly. It's meant to also be replayed multiple times, each samurai you make becomes more powerful as you save your weapons and your styles as you upgrade, more stylish as you buy new clothes. It is a hack n' slash disguised as an RPG so it rewards good sword play though is more careful than you think. Some of the most tense moments is backing off from an opponent, navigating the terrain, and watching as the attack goes sailing an inch to your hit box before launching them into the air and getting free hits in. Now because the story is short, I don't want to spoil what little there is.
This is one of my favorite tactical shooters for good reason. If you liked the idea of the classic Rainbow Six games but weren't into the intricate planning phase but wanted something cerebral this is the game. You have two squads of two, plus yourself. You can issue orders: go here, breach and clear (with item), restrain, or use item here. The game forces you to learn your items and be able to work through the choke points with your limited resources. As you progress, the enemies become more difficult, hostages are in danger, everything requires precise timing, you begin to need to give simultanious orders to your teams. Though there is a draw back with this version, the AI likes to ignore you sometimes if you order something too quick. Inherent to the game is the issue of just standing there and waiting while there is an active attacker. Small issues, you're not penalized anywhere near as hard as in the R6 games, but frustrating. Though my final answer is to buy the game. The expansion is amazing and fixes many little nit-picks. It's much more dangerous though you have more options.
