NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Souzou
- August 1, 2014
- KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
Nobunaga’s Ambition Sphere of Influence is a PC-like strategy experience on the PlayStation 4 that succeeds on all levels
"NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Souzou" is a grand strategy game that simulates the Warring States period of Japan. Players can control various historical figures, including Nobunaga Oda, and attempt to unify the country through warfare, diplomacy, and political intrigue. The game features deep strategic gameplay, detailed historical context, and a variety of scenarios to play through.
Reviews
- The game strikes a perfect balance between complexity and simplicity, making it enjoyable for both new and veteran players.
- It features great animation, music, and art, with plots constructed on a historical basis that provide profound knowledge of Japanese history.
- Highly enjoyable for those interested in Japanese history, with a high degree of freedom and the ability to create custom characters.
- The game suffers from significant technical issues, including frequent crashes and problems with saving, which can lead to lost progress.
- Players have reported limitations in gameplay mechanics, such as the inability to create new characters and poor AI performance during battles.
- The resolution and full-screen mode issues on Windows 10 make the game difficult to play, as it can only be played in a small window.
- story6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story in "Taikou Risshiden V" is rich and expansive, featuring over 800 characters and multiple storylines, primarily revolving around Oda Nobunaga's quest to unify Japan. However, players note that after initial strategic planning, the gameplay can become passive, as the game allows for automated play, diminishing the engagement with the narrative.
“As is in this game, all you have to do is build the first few structures that might actually matter (like stuff that increases your troop's power) and plot out the first couple of fights where you're not strong enough to steamroll everything. After that, you should just stop playing the game and let the computer play for you.”
“In most storylines, I helped Oda Nobunaga realize his ambition to unify Japan.”
“I have played the Taikou series for thousands of hours; there are 800+ characters available to choose from in Taikou Risshiden V, and I completed almost every storyline of every family.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its intricate system of roads, castles, and upgrades, showcasing a strong attention to detail that enhances engagement. Additionally, the mechanics allow players to form alliances to reenact historical battles, adding depth and strategic elements to the experience.
“The whole system of roads, castles, and castle upgrades demonstrates a great deal of attention to detail, and it succeeds in providing deep and engaging gameplay.”
“The gameplay mechanics allow you to form an alliance to re-enact the Battle of Sekigahara.”
“The gameplay mechanics allow you to form an alliance to re-enact the Battle of Sekigahara.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality, contributing significantly to the overall experience and providing a satisfying sense of achievement as players progress through the game.
“The music is terrific and taking over the whole of Japan (after nearly 30 hours of play) just gives you an unexplained sense of satisfaction.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its instability, with multiple users labeling it as "buggy" and advising against purchasing it due to these issues.
“However, do not buy this buggy game.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find that grinding in the game can be tedious, as managing multiple cities requires extensive micro-management. To expedite progress, it's often recommended to focus on farming in less populated areas with strong generals, allowing the AI to handle the complexities of city management.
“While the strongest generals are still strong, their effect is not nearly as pronounced. If you have any interest in finishing this game in a reasonable time, you'd be much better off taking Nobunaga, Shingen, or Kenshin to a backwater corner of Japan to work on farming. This way, you can have as few cities under your direct control as possible, allowing the computer to handle the ridiculous amount of micromanagement needed at blazing speed.”
Critic Reviews
Nobunaga’s Ambition Sphere of Influence PS4 Review
Nobunaga’s Ambition Sphere of Influence is a PC-like strategy experience on the PlayStation 4 that succeeds on all levels
90%Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence Review
A long-awaited localization of a famed franchise that fails to make an impact. With little depth or strategy, this is a game designed for those who love Japanese history or are franchise diehards. Only that love will keep you wanting to play through the game more than once.
60%PS4 Review - 'Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of influence'
80%