The amount of detail is intense, the campaigns are especially long, and the exceptional animated sequences are few and far between from simply staring at a small map and even smaller menus to do a multitude of tasks. This game is definitely for someone, and, if you’re even remotely interested in Japanese history, this is an incredible feat of a title. But it’s too big of an ask for too little of a reward. I’ll let history stay history.
NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening
Koei Tecmo · Jul 20, 2023
About
Players are supported by faithful retainers who act on their own judgement. The "Dominion" system will allow you to obtain and grant territory to retainers. In return, retainers who are given the land will dedicate themselves to the development of the clan. Divvy up and parcel out the beautifully detailed Warring States Japan as you like, and make it prosper!
Over 2,200 officers will be included, the greatest number in the series. Come together with highly individualistic retainers and move history!
The game will also include various features that befit the 40th anniversary of the series, including scenarios, events, policies, and more, as well as elements from the previous titles such as an editing function that will allow them to change officer status, background music and scenarios, or create new clans.
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- Newcomers, however, are likely going to have a hard time meshing with Koei Tecmo’s latest offering, because of how obtuse and incomplete the tutorial is. It’s a difficult balance to strike as you don’t want to bore players with long-winded explanations of course, but we do feel like the right balance wasn’t struck here. That said, if you can make it past the initial non-intentional difficulty, you’ve got an incredible game waiting for you.
- For those familiar with this long-time simulation/strategy series, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening may feel like a warm welcome home. But as a newcomer, I found the game a confusing mess, and the Switch version frustrated my every attempt to enjoy playing it.
- 8.0Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening is a unique take on the strategy genre that chooses to focus more on the administration aspects of war rather than the battles. Coupled with in-depth mechanics for managing your economy, as well as a surprisingly deep political system where you have to pay attention to how well your officers are doing, you get a unique management-styled strategy game that is absolutely worth your time.
- 7.0Nobunaga's Ambition: Awakening streamlines the many complex systems and mechanics that have built up over the series' 40-year history, refining the strategic experience that is more approachable and all the better for it. While UI elements and precise control issues can frustrate at times, Awakening is a wonderful sandbox for samurai enthusiasts to play in.
- 7.0Despite the graphical issues and the most bare-bones of tutorials you’ll find in a historical simulation sandbox, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening offers plenty of great moments. We loved the historical vignettes that played out as events unfolded and certain conditions were unlocked. Even on Easy mode, the game will make you surrender and start over multiple times before you can achieve Nobunaga’s dream of a united Japan.
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