Summary

Release Year: 1986
Genres: Role-playing game (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
Platforms: Amiga, DOS, Family Computer, Game Boy, Mac, MSX, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC (Microsoft Windows), PC-8800 Series, PlayStation, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sharp X1, Sharp X68000, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine, Wii, Wii U, WonderSwan
Developers: Koei, Tecmo Koei Games
Publishers: Koei, Tecmo Koei Games

Nobunaga’s Ambition: The Granddaddy of Strategy Games

Released in 1983, Nobunaga’s Ambition was one of the earliest strategy games for personal computers. It was also one of the first games to simulate historical events, in this case the Sengoku period of Japanese history. Players take on the role of one of several feudal lords and attempt to conquer all of Japan.

Nobunaga’s Ambition is a turn-based strategy game. Each turn, players can move their armies, attack enemy forces, and manage their resources. The game world is a map of Japan divided into provinces. Each province has a castle that can be captured and held by a player. Castles generate income and allow players to recruit new units.

Armies in Nobunaga’s Ambition consist of infantry, cavalry, and archers. Each unit type has its own strengths and weaknesses. Infantry is the most basic unit type, but it is also the cheapest to recruit. Cavalry is more expensive than infantry, but it is also more powerful. Archers are the weakest unit type, but they can attack from a distance.

In addition to managing their armies, players must also manage their resources. Resources in Nobunaga’s Ambition include gold, rice, and iron. Gold is used to recruit new units and build new castles. Rice is used to feed the population and prevent starvation. Iron is used to produce weapons and armor.

Nobunaga’s Ambition is a complex and challenging game. It requires players to carefully manage their resources and make strategic decisions in order to succeed. The game is also highly replayable, as there are many different ways to achieve victory.

Historical Setting

Nobunaga’s Ambition is set during the Sengoku period of Japanese history, a time of great political and military upheaval. The period began in the mid-15th century with the collapse of the Ashikaga shogunate and ended in the early 17th century with the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate.

During the Sengoku period, Japan was divided into many small fiefdoms, each ruled by a powerful warlord. These warlords were constantly vying for power and territory, and the country was plagued by warfare.

One of the most famous warlords of the Sengoku period was Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was a brilliant military strategist and a ruthless leader. He gradually expanded his territory and eventually became one of the most powerful warlords in Japan.

Nobunaga’s Ambition allows players to experience the Sengoku period firsthand. Players can choose to play as Nobunaga or one of his rivals. The game faithfully recreates the historical events of the period, and players can make choices that will affect the course of history.

Gameplay

The ultimate goal of Nobunaga’s Ambition is to conquer all of Japan. Players can achieve this goal by defeating all of their rivals or by forming alliances with them. The game is won when one player controls all of the provinces on the map.

Legacy

Nobunaga’s Ambition was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the first strategy games for personal computers, and it helped to popularize the genre. The game has been ported to many different platforms over the years, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.

Nobunaga’s Ambition has also had a major impact on the development of strategy games. The game’s innovative gameplay mechanics have been copied by many other games, and it is considered to be one of the most influential strategy games of all time.

Conclusion

Nobunaga’s Ambition is a classic strategy game that remains a must-play for fans of the genre. Its rich gameplay, historical setting, and replayability make it a timeless classic. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding strategy game, then Nobunaga’s Ambition is definitely worth checking out.