Always test changes in a clean campaign save. A single malformed .loc entry (e.g., missing tab delimiter, wrong encoding) can cause the entire localisation to fail, showing placeholder tags like units_onscreen_name_yari_samurai in the game UI.
For Total War: Shogun 2, the most helpful resource for managing English language files is a detailed guide on combining English audio with text in other languages, or vice-versa, which you can find on the Steam Community. Essential English Language Files
In Shogun 2, language data is stored in .pack files located in your game's installation directory, typically at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\total war shogun 2\data.
local_en.pack: This is the primary English language file. It contains the core text strings for the game.
local_en_patch.pack: This file contains updated tables that overwrite certain strings in the base local_en.pack file.
Text Structure: Unlike other languages that use a single localisation.loc file, the English version uses individual tables for different text categories within the text\db folder of the pack. How to Obtain or Fix English Files
If your game is in another language and you want to switch it to English, follow these steps through the Steam client:
Right-click Total War: Shogun 2 in your Steam Library and select Properties. Navigate to the Language tab. total war shogun 2 english language files
Select English from the dropdown menu. Steam will then automatically download the necessary local_en.pack files.
Verification: If the files are missing or the game is still not in English, use the Verify Integrity of Game Files option under the Installed Files (or Local Files) tab in Properties. Advanced Customization (English Audio with Local Text)
Experienced players often want English voice acting while keeping their native language for text. This requires the Pack File Manager tool to manually swap text files between local_en.pack and your specific language pack (e.g., local_ge.pack for German).
Another technical workaround mentioned in community forums involves using the launch command -lang 0 in Steam's Launch Options to force the game into English mode. Resource - Shogun 2 "Language" and "Encyclopedia" files
Look for these tag prefixes:
Important:
Before we start digging through folders like a Ninja in a daimyo’s castle, try the official route. Sometimes the fix is deceptively simple. Always test changes in a clean campaign save
Did it work? If Steam downloads a small update, you are victorious. Go forth and conquer.
Did nothing happen? If the dropdown is already on English but the game remains stubbornly foreign, you are likely dealing with a version of the game where the English files are physically missing from your installation. Time for Phase 2.
As of 2025, Total War: Shogun 2 is considered "feature complete." CA no longer pushes regular updates. However, the Fall of the Samurai standalone expansion shares the same local_en.pack structure. If you own both, ensure you back up both separately – they are not cross-compatible.
The final patch (around 2021) made changes to the localisation.loc table to fix corrupted event messages. Therefore, old mods built with pre-2021 local_en.pack files may show errors. Always use the latest vanilla English files as your base.
This method requires you to manually replace the language files. Don't worry; it’s less dangerous than a charge by the Date Masamune.
Step A: Find Your Target
Navigate to your Shogun 2 data folder. By default, it is usually located here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Total War SHOGUN 2\data
Step B: Identify the Missing Soldier
Look for a file named localization.pack.
If your game is in Russian, this file contains Russian text. If you delete it or rename it, the game might crash—or it might simply have no text. We need an English version of this file. For Total War: Shogun 2 , the most
Step C: The Supply Line (Downloading the Files)
This is where the community saves the day. If you do not have an English localization.pack, you will need to source one.
There is a specific kind of panic that sets in when you boot up a Total War game and realize something is wrong. Maybe you bought a key from a region-locked seller, or perhaps a mod installation went haywire. The splash screen loads, the haunting Taiko drums begin to beat, and then… you see it.
The menu isn’t in English. It’s in Russian, Chinese, or perhaps Czech.
Suddenly, your plans for world domination are halted by a language barrier thicker than the walls of Osaka Castle. For many PC gamers, this is a rite of passage. But unlike the actual Sengoku period, you don’t need a team of diplomats to solve this crisis. You just need to navigate the file structure of your PC.
Here is your battle plan for restoring the English language files in Total War: Shogun 2.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Total War Shogun 2\data\
Primary relevant files: