When Nintendo first announced a Pokemon and Nobunaga’s Ambition crossover, I just chalked it up to the Japanese game industry and their love of bizarre crossovers. But I’m still in shock that the game will be making it to America on June 18 as Pokemon Conquest. I guess I shouldn’t be though. After all, I think it was Einstein who first posited the mathematical proof “Pokemon + DS = $$$$$.”
So to continue getting fans hyped for a game featuring mythical monsters taking part in feudal Japanese warfare, Nintendo has released a ton of new details on the story and gameplay mechanics of Pokemon Conquest, which you can find after the break.
Story: To save the Ransei region from Nobunaga, a powerful Warlord who is trying to take over Ransei, players must conquer different kingdoms to strengthen and grow their own kingdom. There are 17 kingdoms in total to conquer. Conquering all 17 kingdoms and ultimately uniting the kingdom will awaken the Legendary Pokemon and save the land from destruction. Story mode is organized by episodes. Players unlock episodes as they progress and each episode features a different playable Warlord and victory conditions.
Army Mechanics: Players can grow their army by recruiting defeated Warlords and their Pokemon. After a kingdom is conquered, players will also have access to the kingdom facilities such as training grounds, shops to buy items and mines for money. Players can also strengthen their army by linking with Pokemon. Warlords can have various linked Pokemon and switch between them before battle to strategically prepare for the type of battle they are about to engage in.
Battle Mechanics: Players will encounter a wide range of battlefields as they progress through the game. Each of the 17 kingdoms has a different type-themed battlefield. For example, in the fire-themed kingdom of Ignis, players can battle around lava flows, lava beds and fire spouts. Strategically using water-type Pokemon to navigate through this battlefield will help players conquer this kingdom. Additionally, players can use the kingdom training grounds to train their army or find wild Pokemon and link with them. After battling with a Warlord, the game automatically registers them. Using the built-in local wireless features of Nintendo DS, players can use their registered armies to battle with friends who also own the game.
Warlords and Pokemon: Each Warlord has a special ability that can change the tide of battle. For example, Warlord Oichi has the ability to heal all the Pokemon in a player’s army. Also, like Pokemon, Warlords have types that will determine how well they link to particular Pokemon. Some Warlords will have the ability to choose from and link with several different kinds of Pokemon.
