Most gamers might think Firaxis has dominated the strategy game genre in 2016 (after all they did release XCOM 2 and Civilization 6) but these players have yet to look in other directions, as they’ve missed Nobunga’s Ambition. Released in the beginning of September, this historical epic not only proved how to do strategy games on a console, but breathed in some goodwill for Tecmo Koei, who has to follow with Nioh and Musou Stars in 2017. Now a sequel is out, and we’re here to say if it matches the highs the first game set.
Gameplay:
On levels of scope and task, Ascension kicks off things to the next level. This means that players interested in the game should steer clear and practice with the base product, while those with expertise relish with the game’s new, but more subtle advancements.
These changes have been introduced to management and development systems, but do just enough so the feel of the original game is retained and fresh. One example of this can be seen through the detail added to the aforementioned systems, which pleases fans (old or new) as the depth has been increased.
Story & Design:
Even if you have some experience with the genre, I would recommend completing Ascension’s meaty tutorial. There are things in this game that you don’t want to miss out on, or else you’ll be handicapped throughout your progression. This includes the big and the small and ranges from combat to base building.
Story wise, there is just as much depth as you’d come to expect from a title like this. The setting and characters feel real, and you’re gameplay decisions translate to some intriguing consequences. It may have more focus than other strategy behemoths, but I found this to be more than a gimmick.
Presentation/ Visuals & Audio:
Considering how large Ascension is, it isn’t a game I would immediately play again as the process could be exhausting. Because of this, I feel that the game’s current price point is only for those who’d like to purchase immediately. This is one of the minor negatives of the overall experience, but doesn’t have an impact until you’re 100% through.
Conclusion:
It may seem crazy to release a sequel to a game that was ported over to the Playstation 4 this September, but Koei Tecmo wasn’t looking to fool players over w/ a cash-grab. This is a well developed title worth your time, and proves why the strategy genre is so compelling.
Nobunga’s Ambition: Sphere Of Influence — Ascension gets a 8/10 (Very Good)
We’d like to thank Koei Tecmo for giving us a code!
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