Kong Wen wrote:Jordan, do you know the story with this Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence - Ascension coming out on PS4 today? Is it just a PUK-style expansion?
I think that's a fair way to describe it, though I believe it acts as a standalone game as well.
Essentially it's Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence except with officer play. It retains many of the features from NA: SOI though has changed up a few mechanics. I think that they altered the battle system and added more authentic siege battles. In battles, I believe that you can now combine several units into a larger formation. Some other quality of life changes include a greater array of buildings that you can construct in your fief.
As an officer, I believe that you also essentially have your own clan which you can expand on your own. I think that your clan is loyal to you and you alone. If you were to play as, say, the Sanada and then managed to become stronger than your overlord the Takeda, you could theoretically rebel and strike out on your own. If it works the way I think it does, you could draw a comparison to how some Paradox Interactive games allow you to play as a vassal lord.
The game is partly in response to the 400th anniversary of the Osaka Summer Campaign (2015). The event occasioned the creation of a Japanese drama centered around the Sanada, which in turn led to derivative video games. Consequently, Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence Ascension contains more of a focus on the Sanada clan and Osaka sieges; a new scenario in the game allows you to play through the siege of Osaka. The officers on both sides of that conflict also received new portraits.