''Pokémon Conquest'', known in Japan as , is a 2012
tactical role-playing
Tactical role-playing game (abbreviated TRPG), also known as strategy role-playing game or (both abbreviated SRPG), is a video game genre that combines core elements of role-playing video games with those of tactical (Turn-based tactics, turn-b ...
video game
A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...
developed by
Tecmo Koei
is a Japanese video game, amusement and anime holding company created in 2009 by the merger of Koei and Tecmo. Koei Tecmo Holdings owns several companies, the biggest one of those being its flagship video game developer and publisher Koei Tecmo ...
and published by
The Pokémon Company and
Nintendo
is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes, and releases both video games and video game consoles.
The history of Nintendo began when craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi ...
for the
Nintendo DS
The is a foldable handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens worki ...
. The game is a
crossover between the ''
Pokémon
is a Japanese media franchise consisting of List of Pokémon video games, video games, Pokémon (TV series), animated series and List of Pokémon films, films, Pokémon Trading Card Game, a trading card game, and other related media. The fran ...
'' and ''
Nobunaga's Ambition
is a series of turn-based grand strategy role-playing simulation video games developed and published by Koei (now Koei Tecmo). The original game was one of the first in its genre, being released in March 1983 in Japan. ''Nobunaga's Ambitio ...
'' video game series. The game was released in Japan on March 17, 2012,
in North America on June 18, 2012, and in Europe on July 27, 2012.
Gameplay
The player, accompanied by an
Eevee, travels throughout the befriending Pokémon and battling and to conquer and unite the region; Warriors and Warlord Leaders can join the player's party once defeated, allowing the player access to more Pokémon. The gameplay is
turn-based strategy
Strategy video game is a major video game genre that focuses on analyzing and strategizing over direct quick reaction in order to secure success.
Although many types of video games can contain strategic elements, the strategy genre is most commo ...
and is a tactical RPG, unlike the main-series Pokémon games, with different Pokémon capable of using different attacks and means of movement. Warriors and Warlords also have unique battle-changing powers that boost their Pokémon's abilities but may only be used once per battle. These effects range from increased attacking power, health restoration, or even temporary invincibility.
Unlike in the main-series Pokémon games, each Pokémon is capable of using only one move. This move is determined by the Pokémon's species and is usually picked to represent that species; for example,
Excadrill uses its signature move Drill Run. Additionally, only 200 of the
649 Pokémon that existed at that time of release are available in the game. The main-series capture system is replaced by a minigame where a Warrior attempts to form a link with a wild Pokémon by coordinating button presses with a display, reminiscent of ''
Dance Dance Revolution
(''DDR'') is a music video game series produced by Konami. Introduced in Japan in 1998 as part of the Bemani series, and released in North America and Europe in 1999, ''Dance Dance Revolution'' is the pioneering series of the rhythm and dance ...
''. The main-series leveling system is replaced by a concept called "link", a percentage which increases to a certain maximum, and reflects that Pokémon's battling statistics. Each Warrior has a natural affinity to certain types, which grants an increased maximum link with Pokémon of those types. In addition, every Warrior and Warlord has one evolutionary family of Pokémon with which they may form a 100%, or "perfect link". In addition, certain Warlords can form links with legendary Pokémon. A Warlord's costume almost always
resembles the appearance of at least one of their "perfect link" species. Additionally, the main-series evolution system is changed to reflect the removal of Pokémon levels. Instead of a Pokémon reaching a specific level, they evolve by reaching certain conditions such as reaching a specific link, winning a battle in a specific kingdom, or having a stat reach a certain value. Warlords are also able to evolve by reaching certain conditions, such as achieving a certain link percentage with a Pokémon. Other than the player, warlords cannot evolve until after completing the main story.
Warlords
Almost all 200 Warriors in Pokémon Conquest are based on a real historical figure from the time of the
Sengoku Jidai
The was the period in History of Japan, Japanese history in which civil wars and social upheavals took place almost continuously in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Kyōtoku incident (1454), Ōnin War (1467), or (1493) are generally chosen as th ...
- Japan's Warring States period. 37 of them stand above the others as Warlords who are distinguished by having gold icons, unique sprites, individual post-game stories, and being able to transform (becoming stronger in a similar manner to Pokémon evolution).
[Pokémon Conquest. Nintendo DS, Nintendo, 2012.]
Plot
A legend is foretold that the one who unifies all 17 kingdoms of the will have a chance to encounter the Legendary Pokémon who created the region. Warriors and Warlords all over Ransei sought to fulfill the foretold legend, resulting in battles and an end to the region's peaceful era. The game initiates with the player becoming the Warlord of the kingdom and meeting Oichi. Hideyoshi of the nearby kingdom of sends his warriors to ambush Aurora, only for them to be defeated by the player and Oichi. Oichi explains to the player that all of the other kingdoms of Ransei had become aggressive and hostile towards one another, in their hopes of fulfilling the Ransei Legend. This initiates the player's harrowing journey of unifying other nations, starting with Ignis, hoping to restore peace upon Ransei. After conquering the kingdoms of , and , Oichi explains that Nobunaga, who dwells in the northern part of Ransei, is the main threat to the Ransei region. After conquering the kingdoms of , , and , Oichi explains that Nobunaga's ambition is to fulfill the Ransei Legend and use Arceus's power to demolish Ransei.
After conquering the two kingdoms of and , Oichi hosts a celebration of Shingen and Kenshin's recruitment to the player's army. During the celebration, the player is confronted by Nobunaga, who holds the kingdoms of , , , , , , and under his command. Nobunaga informs the player and Oichi of their foolishness in opposing him and returns to his kingdom of . Though his servant Ranmaru pleads with Oichi not to oppose him, Nobunaga states he will annihilate anyone who gets in his way. With Nobunaga and his
Zekrom defeated, the player unites Ransei, and the Infinity Tower is revealed. Inside, the player's party finds the Mythical Pokémon
Arceus. After linking with Arceus, the player is confronted again with Nobunaga, now partnered with a shiny
Rayquaza, along with Mitsuhide, , Ieyasu, Ranmaru, and Hideyoshi for a final battle. After being defeated, Nobunaga reveals his true intentions to bring peace to Ransei by destroying Arceus as it is the cause of the conflict. However, seeing the player unaffected by being linked to Arceus, and as the Pokémon takes its leave, Nobunaga relents; Ransei's kingdoms are restored to their proper owners and a system in the region is established.
After defeating Nobunaga and completing the main storyline, players can take on 36 special episodes, each featuring one of the other warlords and having different objectives (such as taking over a portion of Ransei rather than the whole region). They feature smarter AI (with the opposing nations attacking your countries more often), and the ability to upgrade the locations within the regions through a bank to find more Pokémon or get better items and to evolve the rest of the Warlords. The episodes often reference real historical events, such as Mitsuhide's betrayal of Nobunaga and Hideyoshi's unification of most of Japan. After the episodes of the 16 senior warlords are completed, a final episode will be unlocked, which is essentially a new game with the main playable character but includes the added features of the post-game episodes.
Development
''Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition'' was first revealed at the
Shueisha
is a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. Shueisha is the largest publishing company in Japan. It was established in 1925 as the entertainment-related publishing division of Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The ...
's "Jump Festa" anime and manga event on December 17, 2011. Nintendo and Tecmo Koei announced the game during the event and announced its 2012 release.
The Pokémon Company announced a live-streaming event that would be used to reveal information to consumers in Japan, and it took place on January 19, 2012. Part of the character designs on the humans also worked on ''
Samurai Warriors 3
is a hack-and-slash video game developed by Omega Force and published by Tecmo Koei for the Wii. It is the third installment in the ''Samurai Warriors'' series. The game was released in Japan in December 2009 and internationally in 2010 by Nint ...
'', with touch-ups from Ken Sugimori. On April 4, 2012, it was announced on Pokemon.com that ''Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition'' would be released in the United States on June 18, 2012, as ''Pokémon Conquest''.
Reception
''Pokémon Conquest'' received positive reviews, possessing a score of 80/100 on
Metacritic
Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...
.
''
Famitsu
, formerly , is a line of Japanese Video game journalism, video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation, Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly f ...
'' gave the game a score of 34/40, with reviewers praising the game's accessibility for young players, high replay value, and ability to mix ''Pokémon'' with a traditional Japanese historical setting.
''
IGN
''IGN'' is an American video gaming and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa district and is headed by its former e ...
'' gave the game a score of 9 and an Editor's Choice award, praising its deep gameplay and calling it "one of the greatest, most fully realized ''Pokémon'' spinoffs in existence".
''
Destructoid
''Destructoid'' is a website that was founded as a video game-focused blog in March 2006 by Yanier Gonzalez, a Cuban-American cartoonist and author. Enthusiast Gaming acquired the website in 2017 and sold it to Gamurs Group in 2022.
Histor ...
'' gave the game 8/10.
''
Game Informer
''Game Informer'' (''GI'' is an American monthly Video game journalism, video game magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of video games and video game console, game consoles. It debuted in August 1991, when the video game reta ...
'' gave the game a 7/10.
The game sold 341,000 copies in Japan in 2012.
In 2012, ''IGN'' placed the Pokémon Conquest 12th on their "The Top 25 Nintendo DS Games".
References
;Attribution
*
External links
*
* (US)
* (UK)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pokemon Conquest
2012 video games
Crossover role-playing video games
Cultural depictions of Oda Nobunaga
Koei Tecmo games
Multiplayer and single-player video games
Nintendo DS games
Nintendo DS-only games
Conquest
Conquest involves the annexation or control of another entity's territory through war or Coercion (international relations), coercion. Historically, conquests occurred frequently in the international system, and there were limited normative or ...
Sengoku video games
Tactical role-playing video games
Video games developed in Japan
Video games with gender-selectable protagonists