When comparing StarCraft II vs Total War: Shogun 2, the Slant community recommends Total War: Shogun 2 for most people. In the question“What are the best empire building games on PC?” Total War: Shogun 2 is ranked 7th while StarCraft II is ranked 8th. The most important reason people chose Total War: Shogun 2 is:
If one player decides to fight in real-time instead of auto-resolving a battle, the other player joins the fight on their team. The owner of the army can then delegate control of some of their units to their teammate. This system brings a lot of fun and strategy into the game.
Specs
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Pros
Pro A free starter edition is available
With the Starter Edition, players can start the beginning of the campaign, compete in ranked ladder matches, and play anything in the Arcade (a mode that offers a huge selection community-created games and mods).
Pro Big player base
Has a very big player base and everyone will be able to find a suitable opponent whether you are a rookie or an experienced player.
Pro Well balanced, asymmetrical gameplay
Opposing teams will have completely different skillsets allowing players to take wholly different approaches toward completing the same goal. This makes for asymmetrical gameplay that has been painstakingly balanced.
Pro Campaign features an engaging story and acts as a tutorial
StarCraft II tells a very concise and cohesive story, exclusively featuring the Terran, with some exceptions during optional missions. During the campaign, the player is asked to make several choices which partially alter the storyline, as well as give access to some units, while making other completely unavailable. With a new unit unlocked nearly every mission, these levels utilize unique gameplay mechanics that highlight the specific uses of each new unit that is unlocked, thus allowing players to familiar with them. For example, one mission highlights the maneuverability of the Viking, an aircraft that can quickly fly across the map, killing other aerial units, and transforming to become a walking vehicle that can annihilate ground-based enemies.
Pro Gives in-game access to a wide variety of community created games/mods
Users can publish their mods to the game so that other players may then apply them in-game. This makes for easy access to a wide variety of mods and games.
Pro Has an active eSports scene
With a 1.6 million dollar prize pool for the world championships in 2015, StarCraft II has a very large and supported eSports scene that is participated in throughout the world.
Pro Both players (in multiplayer) take part in every fight
If one player decides to fight in real-time instead of auto-resolving a battle, the other player joins the fight on their team. The owner of the army can then delegate control of some of their units to their teammate. This system brings a lot of fun and strategy into the game.
Pro Play the campaign together in multiplayer
During co-op play, every player takes control of a clan and can manage it just as they would in single-player mode.
Pro Games are long
Cons
Con Starcraft I units are unavailable
They removed/replaced some of the units with new units. As of 2021 several mods of SC2 engine feat SC1 units are freely available
Con Difficult for beginners
Con Games are long
Even a short campaign can fill dozens of hours. Be prepared to play for at least two hours per session if you plan to get anything done.