Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 76 | 7 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 84% | 77 | 310 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 79 | 3 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 1 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (29)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 50
“The harsh reality is that Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence rewards patience, but quite a lot of patience is required in order to make the most of what is a difficult game to recommend to others.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“While it certainly doesn't do anything new to win over those who aren't fans of the genre, it does more than enough to sap away the hours of anyone who's willing to wrap their head around its complex workings.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“The diplomacy is well done, but without a robust battle system and satisfying nation-building to back it up, the game feels like it's missing something, it's all build-up with no pay-off. It's a shame, because Sphere of Influence does some interesting things with the standard grand strategy formula. The way it mixes historical storytelling with freeform play is commendable, as is its focus on the political, personal side of military campaigning. Unfortunately, it falls at the final hurdle. Much like Nobunaga himself, in fact.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It has some flaws, including a rather lackluster interface and average visuals, but it makes up for that with plenty of in-game depth.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“A fully customizable and rewarding strategy experience with tons of contents and deep gameplay options, both on PC and consoles. For many but not for everyone.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“When the cogs start turning, Nobunaga’s Ambition becomes this intriguing spectacle as clans employ a variety of strategies in order to adapt, survive, and expand. Although far from perfect, this is likely the best grand strategy title you’ll find on a home console.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The game will please fans of the genre who have been waiting for a game like this to come to PS4, but I honestly can’t see it winning over many new fans to the genre due to how overwhelming its initial few hours can be.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“Nobunaga's Ambition: Sphere of Influence is mechanically, a skillfully crafted game, reciprocating an equal amount of depth as one invests.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The combat scenarios are where the game really shines… each skirmish will feel like a grand scene from Gladiator with some turn-based RPG skills thrown into the mix”
read full review ↗ - 80
“It shines because the balance of all it's playable elements. It's not common to see an strategy game on consoles, especially a good one.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Offering deep gameplay with an approachable style, Sphere of Influence is rewarding for strategy fans while remaining forgiving for genre newcomers. Strategy vets will find all they want and then some, but newcomers will need to exercise patience in order to begin digging into the game's bountiful rewards.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“This strategy title from Koei Tecmo brings us in the Sengoku era, and offers endless gameplay possibilities. It's a fact, anyway, that such a game is most likely to be appreciated by people who love Japan and that particular era.”
read full review ↗
Cubed3
Push Square
GameWatcher
Worth Playing
Eurogamer
TheSixthAxis
DarkZero
GBAtemp
GameSpew
IGN
G4@Syfygames…and 17 more tracked reviews.