Pokemon Conquest

Pokémon Conquest, known in Japan as Pokémon + Nobunaga’s Ambition^[1] (ポケモン＋ノブナガの野望, Pokemon Purasu Nobunaga no Yabō), is a 2012 tactical role-playing video game developed by Tecmo Koei, published by The Pokémon Company and distributed by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. The game is a crossover between the Pokémon and Nobunaga’s Ambition video game series. The game was released in Japan on March 17, 2012,^[2] in North America on June 18, 2012,^[3] and in Europe on July 27, 2012.^[4]

Gameplay – Pokemon Conquest

See also: Nobunaga’s Ambition § Gameplay

The player, accompanied by an Eevee, travels throughout the Ransei Region (ランセ地方, Ranse-chihō) befriending Pokémon and battling Warriors (ブショー, Bushō) and Warlords (ブショーリーダー, Bushō Rīdā) 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 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. 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” with.

Plot – Pokemon Conquest

A legend is foretold that the one who unifies all the 17 kingdoms of the Ransei Region (ランセ地方, Ranse-chihō) will have a chance to encounter the Legendary Pokémon who created the Ransei Region. Warriors and Warlords all over the region sought to fulfill the foretold legend, resulting in battles and an end to Ransei’s peaceful era. The game initiates off with the player just becoming the Warlord of the Aurora (ハジメ, Hajime) kingdom and is met by Oichi.

Hideyoshi of the nearby kingdom of Ignis (カエン, Kaen) 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. 

Reception – Pokemon Conquest

Pokémon Conquest received positive reviews, possessing a score of 80/100 on Metacritic.^[7] Famitsu 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.^[9] IGN 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”.^[10] Destructoid gave the game 8/10.^[8] Game Informer gave the game a 7/10.^[7]