Full Breakdown
Sega Pulls *Total War: Shogun 2 – Complete Edition* from Steam After Widespread Backlash
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 13, 2026 Creative Assembly and Sega released *Total War: Shogun 2 – Complete Edition*, a remastered version of the 2011 strategy title. Within days, the game attracted an “overwhelmingly negative” rating on Steam and was subsequently removed from sale while Sega works with platform holders to reinstate the original version.
Background and Release Details
The remaster was marketed with “upgraded visuals,” including higher-resolution textures, improved lighting, shadows, fog, and optional 2.5-D campaign movies inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e art. The Polish co-development studio Mataboo assisted on the project. Sega priced the new edition at $40, whereas the original *Shogun 2* had often been discounted to “a few dollars” in prior sales, according to the IGN report.
User Reception and Technical Issues
Despite an initial Metacritic score of 83, player feedback quickly turned negative. Steam users reported a 17 % approval rating across 1,578 reviews, labeling the release “overwhelmingly negative.” Specific complaints included art inconsistencies—such as a samurai’s face rendered with a metallic texture that blended with the helmet—and visual glitches in storyboard cutscenes. Critics also alleged the use of low-quality AI upscaling, which many felt contributed to the poor visual fidelity.
Official Response and Removal Plan
Existing owners will retain access to the remaster, and the companies said they are collaborating with their development partner to identify the causes and deliver improvements.
Impact and Outlook
The removal leaves players who purchased the $40 edition with a product they deem unsatisfactory, while the original, lower-priced version returns to storefronts. Sega’s commitment to fix the technical problems suggests a possible future update, but no timeline has been provided. The episode highlights consumer sensitivity to price-driven re-releases and underscores the importance of quality assurance in high-profile remasters.