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NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence - Ascension - Trailer
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NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence - Ascension

PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation Vita • 2016

Should you play it?

In the simulation game series "Nobunaga's Ambition", players aim to unify Japan in the troubled times of the Warring States era. In this release we include "Officer Play" for the first time in the series, allowing players to advance from retainer to Castle Lord and then on to Daimyo.

What works
  • Deep historical strategy and roleplay
  • Multiple playable roles with progression
  • Detailed city and castle management
  • Immersive narrative and events
  • Custom officer and event creation
Things to keep in mind
  • Ai weaknesses and bugs reported
  • Combat can be repetitive and unbalanced
  • Some gameplay elements feel limited or tedious
  • High price at launch with mixed value
  • Limited social and diplomatic depth

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening

  • Field of Glory: Empires

  • NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Souzou

  • NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence

  • Panzer Corps 2

  • Hex of Steel

  • Sid Meier's Civilization® IV

  • Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition

  • Ancestors Legacy Free Peasant Edition
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Strategic Command WWII: World at War

  • Headquarters: World War II

  • Strategic Command: World War I
If you liked…

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From the same developer

From the same developer, ranked by motivational fit.

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence - Ascension: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Domination. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Value, Fantasy.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players can choose roles and customize their characters."

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    "Players can choose to play as a retainer, chamberlain, lord, regent, or daimyo, with different gameplay styles and some freedom in decisions, though some roles have limited autonomy."

  • Competence

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    4

    "The game offers complex strategic and tactical challenges requiring skillful planning and execution, with feedback through battle outcomes and city management."

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    "The game offers complex city and castle management, strategic planning, and tactical battles requiring skill and thoughtful decisions."

  • Competition

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    "Mostly single-player focused with AI opponents; no multiplayer yet but some competitive elements in leaderboards and challenges."

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    "Mostly single-player focused with AI opponents; some competitive elements in multiplayer but not emphasized in reviews."

  • Continuation

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    "High replay value with multiple character scenarios, New Game+ system, and long play sessions reported by users."

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    "High replay value with many scenarios, roleplaying as different officers, and long play sessions reported by users."

  • Cooperation

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    2

    "Some cooperation via trade and diplomacy with other factions, but mostly single-player focused."

    Capsule for Of Life and Land Of Life and Land

    "Some cooperation elements exist such as alliances, vassal relationships, and friendly officers assisting, but mostly single-player focused."

  • Creativity

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    "Players can create their own generals and officers and customize strategies, adding creative elements beyond preset scenarios."

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    "Players can create custom officers, build and develop their own domains, and create events, allowing for creative expression."

  • Domination

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    "Interactions appear balanced; no strong evidence of domination or power imposition over others."

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    "Interactions tend to be balanced with diplomacy and alliances; no strong evidence of domination or power imposition over others."

  • Escapism

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    "Players enjoy immersive historical setting and engaging combat as a form of escape and entertainment."

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  • Expectation

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    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and creativity; no evidence of obligation or pressure to play."

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  • Experimenting

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    "Players try different strategies, roles, and perks to explore game mechanics."

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    "Players try different roles, strategies, and event creations, exploring various mechanics and possibilities."

  • Exploration

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    "Exploration of alternate historical outcomes and scenarios rather than physical map exploration."

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    "Some exploration of new scenarios and event outcomes, but mostly within known historical settings and maps."

  • Expression

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    "Character customization and scenario editing allow personal expression."

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    "Customization of officers and domains allows self-expression; however, some limitations in event editor and character interactions."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    -3

    "The game strongly emphasizes realistic historical simulation and plausible scenarios from the Sengoku period."

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    "Strong focus on historical accuracy and realistic Sengoku period simulation rather than fantasy elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

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    "Some community interaction through alliances and diplomacy but mostly single-player focus."

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    "Some community and social interaction through alliances and diplomacy, but mostly individual gameplay."

  • Growth

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    "Players develop skills in strategy, tactics, and game mechanics over long play sessions."

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    "Players develop their characters, domains, and strategic skills over long play sessions."

  • Health

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    "Game involves sedentary play with long sessions and no physical activity."

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    "Game involves long sedentary play sessions with heavy micromanagement, no physical activity."

  • Idle

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    "Requires sustained attention and micromanagement, especially in combat and resource logistics."

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    "Requires constant attention and micromanagement, especially in city and army management."

  • Intimacy

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    "Some social interactions like marriage and family relations, but limited emotional depth."

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  • Leadership

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    "Players lead dynasties, manage vassals, and guide political decisions, embodying leadership roles."

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    "Players lead armies, manage domains, and guide retainers and vassals, showing strong leadership roles."

  • Progression

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    "Clear progression through research, troop upgrades, base expansion, and territory conquest."

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    "Clear progression from lowly retainer to daimyo with accumulation of territories, power, and upgrades."

  • Relaxation

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    "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, though micromanagement can cause tension."

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    "Some players find the game relaxing and immersive, though others note micromanagement can be stressful."

  • Sensation

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  • Status

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    "Players gain recognition through in-game achievements, character unlocks, and multiplayer victories, though social status is limited."

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    "Players gain recognition within the game world through ranks and achievements, but social status externally is limited."

  • Story

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    "Strong narrative immersion through historical scenarios, events, and character interactions."

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    "Strong historical narrative immersion with many scenarios and event-driven storytelling."

  • Strategy

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    "High emphasis on strategic planning, diplomacy, resource management, and tactical battles."

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  • Thrill

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  • Value

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  • Violence

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  • Survival

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Last update: 10/07/2026