NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening

Nobunga’s Ambition: Awakening is a fantastic new sequel to the famed series that got its start years ago. Players can expect a strategy game that will show no mercy for mistakes, and a steep learning curve for the many mechanics involved.

If you’re not a fan of complicated games that require skill to pull off, Nobunga’s Ambition: Awakening may not be the best choice. On top of the usual Sim City type management stuff, you’ll also need to keep in the good graces of the emperor.

Doing specific tasks for the emperor gives you Honor, which allows you to create political edicts relevant to your own land.

Ever Changing Gameplay

Even after you’ve mastered the game, it will still keep you on your toes. Leaders can suddenly fall ill, or be overthrown. Even when you choose a strategy that seems great at the time, it’s possible that something unexpected will happen to turn that strategy against you. Players will need to save early and often to make sure one decision they made minutes or even hours earlier won’t come back to bite them.

This game is not for beginner players. If you’ve never played a strategy game before, you are better off practicing on a kinder game before tackling this one.

Very Basic Graphics

Nobunga’s Ambition: Awakening has very basic graphics. There’s not much in the way of cutscenes. Any cutscenes that do show up are kind of like those old Oregon Trail II cutscenes—a little box with a picture and a text description of what happened.

Most of the time however, you’ll simply be looking at a map of Japan with little tiny soldier sprites running around on it. The graphics are very basic, and while the map looks good, you’re still just looking at a map. If you prefer a flashier game with lots to see, this probably isn’t the best game for you.

Lots of Customization

Fortunately, there are plenty of upsides to this game to make up for the lack of graphics. The game allows you to customize your officers, even going so far as to pick out their stats. The game even allows you to customize the music being played, so if you prefer listening to your own music, you can!

The game even allows you to create and play through scenarios of your own invention. If you have an idea of what you want to try in the game, you just have to put it together.

Like many games, Nobunga’s Ambition: Awakening has its pros and cons. This game is definitely not for beginner players and will leave those without top level strategy skills frustrated and unable to continue. On the other hand, for top tier players this provides a challenge they can really get into.

Pros:

• Very challenging gameplay
• Customizable
• Lots of replay value

Cons:

• Not for beginners
• Very steep learning curve