Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence - Ascension

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
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  1. GameGrin
    Nov 25, 2016
    70
    Nobunaga's Ambition is a turn-based strategy sim that does it's best to impress. Although it may not be my cup of tea, it will currently come as a welcome entry to fans of the genre.
  2. ZTGD
    Nov 21, 2016
    70
    I find myself in an odd situation where I felt miserable playing Nobunaga’s Ambition, mostly because it’s just not the kind of game that I enjoy. However, at the same time, I couldn’t help but be impressed at the level of depth and polish in the overall experience. Still, it remains that this game did nothing to make me want to delve deeper into the genre of Grand Strategy.
  3. Hardcore Gamer
    Nov 5, 2016
    70
    Fans of understatement would describe Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence – Ascension as sprawling. This is a massive lump of a game that demands attention, forethought and the ability to plan for myriad different scenarios, all while balancing city and land improvements against available workers and officers. Everything on offer here creates a daunting inaccessibility that requires stubborn dedication for a neophyte to overcome.
  5. High-Def Digest
    Oct 31, 2016
    70
    Despite largely being a repackaging of last year's game, Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence - Ascension makes smart changes to the formula that immediately pay off. The new game still controls a bit wonky using a controller, but the revamped user interface does make the strategy title more accessible.
  6. IGN Spain
    Oct 25, 2016
    70
    Deep but ugly and with a horrible control scheme on consoles, this game may entertain those who enjoy the deep strategy games, but may be too dense for everyone else.
  7. COGconnected
    Nov 8, 2016
    66
    There are things to like about Nobunaga’s Ambition. On a technical level it does what it promises and if you’re looking for that very specific thing you’ll probably really enjoy the game.
  8. GamingTrend
    Dec 15, 2016
    50
    A very deep, complex, and well made game with high quality experiences from the lowest to the highest level of rule in Feudal Japan. It is also a tease, showing you all of this quality without taking the time to actually explain itself. Frustrating camera controls and a total lack of guidance leave a bad taste in the mouth when the game so easily could have avoided both and been truly great.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 4 out of 14
  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. JasonJ
    May 17, 2017
    10
    Apparently, not the most popular genre on the new consoles. Well, I like this game. Been playing for 3 months. Almost quit playing in firstApparently, not the most popular genre on the new consoles. Well, I like this game. Been playing for 3 months. Almost quit playing in first 10 hours as the menus were complicated. However, you overcome that after investing the initial time. After that came the joy of working my way up from officer to Daimyo... over about 4 or 5 positions. Super good game. I haven't played one of these since Romance on the PS1. I picked up right where I left off. Trust me. You will love this game if you invest the time to learn the menus.… Full Review »
  3. Castian77
    Dec 23, 2016
    2
    What this game is?
    A turn-ish based strategy game with deep micro managing and customization.
    It delivers? Yes it does. Why the hell the    What this game is?
    A turn-ish based strategy game with deep micro managing and customization.
    It delivers? Yes it does.
    Why the hell the low score?
    The price is way high for the low quality of the game.

    Koei is known for making long lived franchises, whether they drop in quality over time, maintain or go up is up to debate, but one thing is a fact; As time passes Koei pushes more and more cellphone/android or tablet quality games on Console and PC.

    These guys want the PC/Console sale numbers and price tag with Android/Flash games quality development and it shows with NA, ROTK and the new Tactics game.

    This game in particular lacks in every area of past NA or ROTK games had good.
    It's not about graphics, but if a game looks like it came from Facebook Flash games, feels like it, plays like it and costs full $50, avoid it at all costs, vote with your wallet, demand better games, not cheap cash grab tactics.    … Full Review »
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