America is getting a Pokémon strategy game this June. It's called Pokémon Conquest, a name-change from Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition, which is what it's been called in Japan.
It's not made by Nintendo. It's made by Tecmo Koei.
Our guy in Japan has played it and declared it... "a decent foray into the strategy RPG world."
Nintendo describes Conquest like this:
In Pokémon Conquest, players take on the role of a young Warlord who is linked with a Pokémon. Together, they must set out to recruit Warrior allies to strengthen their growing kingdom. Along their journey, players will encounter a variety of Pokémon, as well as Warriors and Warlords inspired by the Japanese feudal era. The game contains nearly 200 Pokémon, including many from the recent Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version games, which have sold more than 4 million copies combined in the United States.
As the battlefield unfolds in Pokémon Conquest, players must choose the correct Pokémon type to inflict maximum damage on their opponents. In the turn-based skirmishes, players choose different tactics for intense six-on-six battles, and battle conditions can change on every turn, keeping players on their toes in anticipation of what will happen next.
Our guy who played it sized it up for himself: "While combining Pokémon with feudal Japan is an admittedly awesome idea, little is done with it. The story is as simple as you and your allies conquering the South while Nobunaga does the same in the North and the dialogue is little more than pre-fight posturing. There's really no compelling reason for a crossover with the Nobunaga's Ambition series. This same basic game could easily take place in the modern Pokémon world, or in that world's past for that matter."
The takeaway is that Disgaea fans might find the game way too simple, but kids might like this as a good starter strategy game.
It'll be out in North America on June 18 in North America. For the Nintendo DS, which appears to still be the lead system for Pokémon games.
Is Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition a Tactical Success?
We've already taken a look at the tactics-style gameplay and use of historical figures in our coverage of Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition on the Nintendo DS. More »