Koei Tecmo released today new information focusing on the bonus content available to those who pre-order upcoming strategy epic Samurai Warriors 4 Empires ahead of its scheduled release on 11th March 2016. The game will be available for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system (physical and digital), and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®Vita handheld system (digital only).
Specifically, fans who pre-order from Independent Retailers (via Centresoft) will receive a ‘Bonus Item Set’, consisting of an additional castle option, the ‘Golden Castle’, the ‘Osaka Campaign’ scenario and an additional costume for Takakage Kobayakawa.
Alternatively, GAME will offer a brand new costume for one of the most popular female characters of the game, Lady Hayakawa. This costume will also be available as an early purchase bonus for fans buying the game via the PlayStation®Network Store.
Lady Hayakawa is only one of the historically known women of influence available to players in Samurai Warriors 4 Empires. This title also features the first appearance of indivisualised minor officers with the inclusion of over 200 male and female officers with unique appearance and stats. The officers are based on warriors, known lords and ladies, or dynamic personalities who left their distinct mark in history.
Additionally, Koei Tecmo released two gameplay videos today detailing a few of the options available in battle preparation and whilst on the battlefield. Battle preparation includes choosing which of the tactics or formations proposed by the magistrates to deploy prior to battle.
Tactics can be either basic (i.e. Troop economy, Blocking enemy Aid, or taking action to increase troop strength prior to engagement), deployed before battle, or executable (i.e. Cavalry Charge, Officer Capture Etc), deployed during battle. Formations affect the way the army is structured and offer relevant bonuses on attack, defence, or speed. A well thought out, balanced strategy is essential when choosing formations, as the enemy could use opposing formations to overrun player troops.
Battles in this title follow the classic Empires-style of “Base Battles.” By claiming enemy bases and turning them into allied bases, players can establish “supply lines” linking together strongholds on the battlefield. In this title, they can also claim “chains” of enemy bases by cutting off enemy supply lines and isolating them. An enemy base positioned in between two allied bases will automatically be claimed for the player’s side! Analysing the enemy battalion placements and efficiently working together with allies can help push the lines up until they can lay siege to the main enemy camp.
While maintaining the exhilaration of the “one vs a thousand” battle-style, these options add a wide variety of strategic elements, from planning a route of attack, to deciding which characters to use, and what commands to give to allied officers.