Join the way of Japan.
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence-Ascension tells the tale of some of the more notable events and battles of Sengoku Era Japan. I would consider the game a historical simulation, as does Koei Tecmo. Players will be able to start the gameplay off in the Officer Play mode for even more immersion but is the game worth your time. Let’s get right into it!
The game is part historical simulation and part strategy/real life simulation. You’ll need to use your wits and different strategy to win the day. You’ll have to put every bit of your territory to the test to survive. One day you’ll need to build a military barrack and the next day you’ll need to build up a section of the village to get your hands on better building materials. You’ll be able to build up your village as you see fit but you’ll need to make wise, smart decisions to keep the village afloat.
The game has a wide array of characters/warriors to choose from. Each character will bring something different to the table, such as missions and materials. It’s interesting to think that your character could become the next overlord of Japan and that will only come by making the right decisions.
In all simulation/strategy games, you’ll have to use your resources carefully. One mission might have you selling lumber that you procured in a different mission to sell. You’ll need gold and other resources to produce other things. The good thing is that you can relegate your work to someone else in the village so you don’t have to do.
Complete the missions/tasks to better the territory. The more you do in the territory, the better it will become. On the plus side, you’ll get an update in a monthly meeting type atmosphere where the game breaks down what has happened over the “simulated” month.
Now with every game, there are good points as well as negative points. Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence-Ascension is no different. For starters the on-screen text and the controls for the game don’t do it for me. It was tough to read the text when it was on screen. In a simulation game where there is a lot to do and the text is presented to you, not being able to read it gets annoying real quick.
Also, with regards to the controls, I found myself going back and forth between territories because it was hard to tell which button did what. It was also difficult to tell what each icon represented and what they did.
You couldn’t really tell what was going on onscreen as well since nothing was labeled, at the start of a screen/village switch. However, the music and graphics/display look fantastic and really add to the game. It really sounds and looks like old-time Japan. I’m giving Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence-Ascension for the PlayStation 4 a 7.5/10.
Score: 7.5 / 10
