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I don't really know what a gameplay cinematic is. I'm assuming, based on the information provided, that it's a trailer that uses the actual in-game graphics engine instead of prerendered footage. I'm sure I've seen them in action before, and have just never known the name for them. Anyway, if that's the case, then Shogun 2: Total War has a mindblowingly awesome in-game engine, judging by this trailer.

Apart from a few pathfinding issues, where I noticed samurai hover above the ground, the trailer was ridiculously impressive and showed that, once again, I'm probably going to have to upgrade my computer just to play the latest games. The fight between the two samurai at the end did look like it had that extra layer of gloss that a prerendered cutscene gets, but on the whole it looked like the game engine at work.

The Japanese setting has allowed the developers to create some truly beautiful settings, complete with blooming cherry blossom trees a ridiculously big castle. Meanwhile, Creative Assembly has once again been pushing themselves to achieve the greatest amount of units onscreen at once.

Figures like 40,000 have been thrown around, meaning the trailer doesn't even showcase the full scope of Shogun 2. One thing, which was hard to see in the trailer, but I hope is still in the game, is the variety of character animations Creative Assembly implemented in the past few outings. A lot of work has been put into making soldiers act and look unique, in order make it feel like you're controlling a diverse army and not a collection of clones.

Apart from the trailer, some new concept art and screenshots have been released earlier in the week on the SEGA Blog. The screenshots, I'm pretty sure, have come from the trailer while the concept art showcases some of the generals and heroes who will be featured in the game. All in all, SEGA and Creative Assembly have released some pretty attractive and impressive media related to Shogun 2: Total War this week that is sure to appease fans of the series.