Strategically minded fans will likely have a long and storied history with the Nobunaga's Ambition series and know the next entry is out on 20th July, having long-planned for just such an occurrence.

First appearing on PlayStation all the way back in 1995, it's exciting to have a new iteration of the oftentimes overwhelming feudal management simulator to look forward to with Awakening (a name never associated with any other long-running Japanese video game IP).

Players can strap on the boots of legendary historical figure Oda Nobunaga (who is depicted as being far more handsome than was supposed in reality), the first of three "Great Unifiers" to come to power during Japan's Sengoku Jidai period. One man's unifier, however, is another's invading warlord, and only the last left standing can secure the Shogunate, so you can play opposite Nobunaga as well if you prefer.

Being the turbulent 100-ish-year period in which the vast majority of cool samurai historical events actually took place, this setting is perfect for an open-ended strategy game. What's your own history with the franchise? Are you a fan, or are the relentless menus and delicious helpings of data too much to bear? Force march into the comments section below.

[source youtube.com]