Forgive the nostalgia; however, I remember in the 80s, I went into Toys 'R Us and seeing this NES game Nobunaga's Ambition for $70!!! (remember, this is the 80s we're talking about!) My thought was...."wow, that must be a great game to cost that much!!! " Well after saving up with paper route money, I finally rode my bike to the store and bought it. My brother thought I was crazy.......but then we played it!

WOW. Endless days playing this game. Even my brother was swayed. When the SNES and Nobunaga's Ambition II came out, it was a no brainer. Years later, I then left home and hadn't played it since.

I then saw NA Sphere of Influence on steam and wondered. Will I love it again?? I put it on my wish list and waited for the Summer Sale and bought it!

Review:

This game is outstanding. However, don't compare it to Shogun:TW. The setting is the same, but the gameplay isn't. This game is more akin to playing Crusader Kings with a dash of total war battle mini-game.

The beauty of this game is the ability to plan on the overmap with vassals and retainers exactly how you'll invade territory. You can set routes of march for each independent army, set which provinces will support the other, order vassals to provide support to specific units etc and then hit "end turn" and watch your plan unfold. If you need to adjust your plan; you pause, make changes and go again. It's very well done. The graphics for the units on the overland map are just like the graphics used in the Japanese TV series AOI Tokugawa Sandai. Youtube it. You'll see. @ 5 Minutes, 39 Seconds and 8m 45s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGZn6CXxNSY#t=5m38s

Though the game may seem daunting at first, it really is picked up rather quickly if you have a taste for grand strategy. You can micromanage every single castle, or designate provinces, assign regents and set the more tedious funtions of government to be delegated to your retainers. You can set a policy which is conservative, progressive or neutral. You can also set focus on Agriculture, Military or Crafts (commerce)

The game also has these intermissions with slide show animations about historical events that took place during the time, giving you, at least, a basic understanding of the situation in Japan at the time. It's great for the history minded, though are easily skipped if you prefer to.

You can create your own officers. Create your own clan. Form alliances. Absorb tribes, dominate vassals. Appeal to the Emperor for titles. It's ALL THERE.

If you love strategy and especially, if you love the history of Japan. This game is a no brainer.

Do yourself a favor and get it. Play the admittedly, boring tutorial. Then play on easy for a bit to get the hang of it. Really, there is a lot to do, but the game will prompt you when things need to get done. Once you see how it is done, you delegate to your retainers. Once you figure that out, (which doesn't take long) it's really easy to start dreaming big about how you'll become Sei-i Taishōgun!!!!!

Heeeet Heeeet Hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!