Koei Tecmo's only Nintendo Switch 2 launch game is NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening Complete Edition, an improved version of the game that launched in July 2023 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Awakening was the sixteenth installment in the popular series of turn-based grand strategy games. Ahead of that game's launch, we published an interview with Koei Tecmo's producer and director Michi Ryu.
The Complete Edition (which will also be available on Sony's PlayStation 5 console) features DLC from the original title as well as six new scenarios along with climactic Decisive Battles. Players will be able to launch joint offenses with allies, break through the frontlines en route to enemy castles, and appoint officers to influence both political and economic strategies while experiencing life as a daimyo in the troubled times of the Warring States Period (16th-century Japan).
With the game's debut scheduled for next week, we contacted Michi Ryu once again to discuss specifically the Nintendo Switch 2 version of NOBUNAGA’S AMBITION: Awakening Complete Edition. The game will be available on June 5 as part of the Switch 2's launch lineup.
When did you first receive your Nintendo Switch 2 development kit?
I can't give you a concrete answer, so I'll leave it to your imagination (laughs).
How long has this version been in development, and what do you think about the new platform's ease of development?
While I can't disclose the exact timeframe, we had previously released the Nintendo Switch version, so porting to Nintendo Switch 2 was possible to achieve within a small team in a short period. Besides the porting, we have also worked on adding new hardware features and preparing game content updates, so overall, it took a considerable amount of time. Developing on this new platform feels the same as the Switch, which makes the process easier. However, there are always some challenges when launching a game (laughs).
Can you share your thoughts on the new console? What is the most interesting new feature, in your opinion?
The platform has evolved in many ways. There are many interesting aspects, but in terms of strategy games, the possibility of being able to use the Joy-Con 2 as a mouse might be the most notable one. Although we think that using the controller to play is more than enough, it's undeniable that a mouse, which allows more intuitive control, is better suited for this genre. Being able to accomplish this through hardware features is a significant advantage.
In terms of raw computing power, is it closer to the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox Series S?
Since the "NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION" series is not available on Xbox, we cannot make a comparison.
Are you using NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution for NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening Complete Edition? Is it essentially the same as DLSS SR on PC?
We are not using DLSS.
What resolution and frame rate options are you offering for the Switch 2 version?
The game runs at Full HD and 30fps. We also experimented with 4K and 60fps, but the power required to render the Japanese archipelago with these graphics is more than you can imagine and difficult to keep stable, so we had to give up. We hope to revisit this challenge in the future if the opportunity arises.
NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening was previously launched on the first Switch. What kind of improvements can players expect in the Switch 2 version?
Thanks to the hardware evolution of Switch 2, the graphics have been significantly improved. Elements like the sea, sky, and ground look much more real, enhancing the immersive experience of the game. Being able to have this level of graphics in a portable format is a major point to be enjoyed by players. Additionally, with mouse operation via Joy-Con 2 and USB mouse support, intuitive controls are now possible. We have also included some game content that was previously only available in Asia, so we hope players will enjoy those as well.
Is the experience of playing with the controller as a mouse similar to using the mouse on PC? What are the differences, if any?
The mouse controls have been closely recreated. Although there are some differences between the hardware, such as assigning the mouse wheel to the stick, the functionality has been covered.
Moreover, shortcuts have been assigned to the other Joy-Con 2, so the overall functionality might even surpass that of using a mouse alone.
Are you taking advantage of the improved HD Rumble in NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening Complete Edition?
HD Rumble is not supported.
Is there anything else you'd like to add about the Switch 2 version of your game?
The Nobunaga's Ambition series is a title that is a traditional Japanese game with a long history of over 40 years. This is the first time in the series that we are releasing a complete edition, and it's thanks to the positive reception of the latest title (NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Awakening) and its steady sales. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has played it. And if you haven't tried it yet, I hope you'll take this chance to pick it up and try it out.
Thank you for your time.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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