Nobunaga's Ambition 2 is one of those old-school NES strategy games where you either unify Japan or get crushed trying. You pick a daimyo—Nobunaga’s the obvious choice, but good luck not getting ganged up on early—and then it’s all about balancing armies, gold, and keeping your peasants from revolting. Every season, you’re shuffling troops, squeezing taxes (but not too much), and hoping your neighbors don’t decide you look tasty.

Battles are this weird mix of chess and attrition—you can win by outmaneuvering the enemy, sniping their commander, or just waiting until they starve. The first time I lost because my supplies ran out mid-fight, I just stared at the screen. Classic Koei move.

It’s slow, punishing, and weirdly satisfying when you finally take over that one province that’s been mocking you for hours. Not for the faint of heart, but if you like your strategy games with a side of feudal suffering, this one’s got your name on it.