Koei Announces Four-Year-Old Game

via IGN

Today Koei announced it will release Nobunaga's Ambition: Rise to Power (available in Japan since April 2004) next February in the U.S. The Nobunaga's Ambition series has been around since the NES/Famicom days and focuses on historical simulation and strategy.

"The Nobunaga's Ambition series defined the simulation genre when it first debuted in 1983," said Amos Ip, Senior VP at KOEI Corporation. "The engrossing gameplay in many ways set the standard by which all other console simulation games would be measured. The franchise continues to be enjoyed around the world and has garnered numerous awards. Now, with Nobunaga's Ambition: Rise to Power the engrossing strategy and simulation elements are presented in a rich 3D environment. Koei is excited to reintroduce the Nobunaga's Ambition series to veteran players and to a new generation of fans."

Rise to Power is set during the 16th century in feudal Japan. Players assume the titular role of Nobunaga or of a rival warlord and must unite Japan under one rule. But each quest for power begins with a starting point, and there are over 300 to choose from in Rise to Power.

This is the first game in the series to use a 3D, real-time battle system. The last title in the franchise to see a U.S. release was Nobunaga's Ambition: Lord of Darkness on the SNES.