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
Get on Steam"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.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Reviews
- One of the best titles in the Nobunaga's Ambition series, offering a perfect balance between complexity and simplicity.
- The game features great animation, music, and art, with a rich historical narrative that enhances the gameplay experience.
- Highly enjoyable for those interested in Japanese history, with a flexible system for city development and battle management.
- The game suffers from significant technical issues, including frequent crashes and bugs that disrupt gameplay.
- Players have reported frustrating limitations, such as the inability to create custom characters using Chinese characters and restrictions on army management.
- Some find the game lacking in content compared to other Koei titles, feeling it focuses too heavily on warfare and lacks depth.
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The story in "Taikou Risshiden V" offers a rich narrative experience with over 800 characters and multiple storylines, primarily focusing on Oda Nobunaga's quest to unify Japan. However, players note that after establishing initial strategies and structures, the gameplay can become passive, leading to a less engaging experience as the game can be left to play itself.
“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.”
“In most storylines, I helped Oda Nobunaga realize his ambition to unify Japan.”
“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.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its intricate system of roads, castles, and upgrades, which offers a deep and engaging experience. Additionally, the mechanics that allow players to form alliances to reenact historical battles, such as the Battle of Sekigahara, enhance the strategic depth of the game.
“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 alliances to re-enact the Battle of Sekigahara.”
“The gameplay mechanics allow you to form alliances to re-enact the Battle of Sekigahara.”
- music2 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 backdrop to gameplay, especially during the immersive journey of conquering Japan.
“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.”
“Great animation, music, and art.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has been widely criticized for its instability, with users labeling it as "buggy" and advising against purchasing it due to these issues.
“However, do not buy this buggy game.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and stability issues that ruined my experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that grinding in the game can be tedious, as managing multiple cities requires extensive micro-management. To expedite progress, it's often more efficient to focus on farming in less populated areas with stronger generals, rather than trying to control numerous cities directly.
“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%
