Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence - Ascension

 PC
Metascore
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No score yet - based on 3 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. GameWatcher
    Nov 11, 2016
    90
    Ascension is a fantastic stand-alone that is a superior game in every way to its predecessor. It’s perfect for both new players and veterans and both with have plenty of content to get their teeth into.
  2. GameSpew
    Nov 3, 2016
    80
    Ascension is at its best when you allow it to wow you, let it win you over… It requires as much patience as the developers had, but it rewards you. With that, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence – Ascension is a staggering accomplishment, and a pretty darn good game, too.
  3. Hooked Gamers
    Nov 9, 2016
    78
    My time with Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence- Ascension may have been confusing at times, and I still don’t feel like I’ve entirely mastered everything it has to offer, but I did have a good deal of fun playing. The game could certainly benefit from a little life being blown into its cold, clinical presentation, but from storming castles to forging alliances and maintaining roads, I always felt like I was part of a larger living picture, and that’s a cool feeling to have.

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User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Kai82
    Feb 9, 2020
    10
    Worth playing hundreds of hours. Warning: You must do a bit of research to learn the mechanics (Or read this review but I will also advice toWorth playing hundreds of hours. Warning: You must do a bit of research to learn the mechanics (Or read this review but I will also advice to do additional research). It doesn’t help if you played Sphere of Influence. There are new mechanics that will only frustrate you if you don't know them. I consider this a new game in this case. Also they added stuff from Romance of the three Kingdoms (Also by Koei). But back to the basics: Nobunagas Ambition is a long running series of strategy games that started 1983 and is nearly unknown outside of Japan. You play as a Daimiyo (Feudal Lord / Prince) in the Age of the Warring States (Sengoku period) of Japan. In this time Japan was split into many principalities ruled by different clans who want to unify Japan. This time they added a career mode. You can start everywhere from Daimiyo (Prince / Sovereign) to lowest retainer (Samurai). As you obtain honour you climb the ranks and get more and more influence and responsibility. It is quite fun to start at the lowest levels. You get your first fiefdom and your assignments by your Lord /Daimiyo. You build facilities that have various effects. Some produce resources and others improve facilities. It is wise to build production facilities in range of the corresponding improving facilities. There is a description for each facility including how it can be improved. Example: Farms and paddy's improve with better irrigation. There are multiple stats for facilities. Not each facility needs all stats (mostly 2). Then there are concepts you can develop. Primary you unlock better facilities that give higher improvements. All production facilities have 5 levels. The higher the better. Tip: Don't go for perfection. It is not possible to archive everything at max level. A good solution today is better than a perfect solution in one year. As you fulfilled your assignments you obtain honour and get promoted. You become an overseer for a castle and later a city. Important tip: Always develop your initial fiefdom no matter of your your rank. You get a tribute of resources and access to your old stock of soldiers if I remember correctly. You can become a powerhouse with that in mind. When you reach the Regent rank you can conquer other cities (Do it alone if other clan members that are not your Retainers help it can be their city not yours) and increase your fiefdom or even rebel against your Daimiyo. The obtained honour can be used for requests. I mostly asked for additional retainers to get more things done (Also to get different targets in warfare when I got assigned to fight against a far superior enemy). You can also use money and time to befriend other Samurai. They will help you complete your task or in battle. In one case they even joined me as I rebelled. For the Samurai: As before each Samurai, Retainer (and Daimiyo) has different stats and abilities. Some are only good at warfare others are good at construction or agriculture and there are all rounders. The more famous Samurai / Daimiyo / Retainer have better stats and some have unique abilities. Stats will improve on a learning by doing base and abilities can be learned on the same base. Depending on your Clans size you have a number of action points you can use for upgrades and improvements (The higher the better). This time on a Lord/Daimiyo level you invest in your districts. You should choose retainers with high stats for the tasks as they do better (≥8 is my advice should probably be over 10). Also as before the resources are connected. You can not build without wood or iron and not go to ware without provisions. As Napoleon said: An army marches on their stomachs. You can not muster all your soldiers and if you run out of supplies they will starve. Then there are the diplomatics task. You can send your retainers to scout (enemy)areas, secretly recruiting enemy retainers (Can join, betray former Daimiyo during battle or even join with their city in case of higher ranked ones. But only if they are discontent enough!), gather influence in tribes (Smaller clans that give all kinds of support), start diplomatic relations with other clans (Alliances, support, marriage etc.) and negotiations with the imperial court. For the battles: You chose a leader and optional up to 2 supporting Retainers (Always use 2 supporters as it improves your fighting strength) in each City. Then chose your troop size (Depend on availability and supplies). This time they added the warfare from Romance of the three Kingdoms in siege warfare. I like the concept. Its a battle map where you must make your way through fortifications and fight your enemies. There is also battles at sea but I have not fought one yet in multiple campaigns. I must come to my final conclusion because I run out of space. I like the additions and well balanced mechanics. The career system is rewarding and interesting. Overall a well made game even more if you like Japanese culture and history like me.… Full Review »
  2. Emma887
    Nov 4, 2016
    9
    Pros
    Amazing customization/replayability
    Great empire management Fun battles as officer Great Sengoku atmosphere Custom officers that you    Pros
    Amazing customization/replayability
    Great empire management
    Fun battles as officer
    Great Sengoku atmosphere
    Custom officers that you can set your own art or choose from hundreds of portraits/traits/tactics
    Decent tutorial

    Cons
    Bugs ( your AI daimyo doesn't create lords nor do they clear land ) (submitted to dev to be patched)
    UI could use work
    Messy borders Collapse    … Full Review »
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