Rich in detail and strategy, but weak in AI.
You start off by choosing a Japanese clan in order to attempt to gain control of all of Japan. Some clans are harder than others to play based on where they start in Japan. Learning how to play this game takes a bit of time. Learning how to play it well takes even longer. This game isn't a simple strategy game.
Managing one's army, while balancing both your defensive and offensive campaigns can be complex at times. The logistics of this game is a huge factor. If you can't straighten out your military logistics then you won't be able to maintain an offensive or retain a defensive position.
Resource management and technology developement can be a complicated mess because it's partly based on map location. Therefore, if you lose control of a certain province then you might be unable to build a certain level of warrior. It's essential to establish a good province for melee personnel because later on you will want highly developed soldiers.
The batte-field aspect of this game is fun as well. You've a 360 degree rotating/zooming camera. Each battle is timed, but you can pause whenever. Your men are grouped into units. The number of units you can bring onto the field is limited, but reinforcements (if you have them) will aid you when a unit is destroyed or flees. Three major factors in battle are morale, endurance, and speed which are definate signs of a solid strategy game. Your units can also gain or lose honor, which is like experience in other games. The more honor a unit has the better and longer they can fight. As I mentioned, the battles are timed. This gives the defending party an advantage. If the defending party isn't wiped out or routed by the end of the time limit then the defense maintains control of the province.
There are some downsides to this game, most of which deal with the artificial intelligence. Even on the harder levels, the computer controlled clans don't act too wisely. Even after several patches, they still commit suicide by sending their Shogun into the thick of battle. If they Shogun dies and has no heirs then that clan no longer exists and is either enveloped by allies or becomes nuetral. The balance of the game is off as well, which the AI is partly to blame for.
At the end of the game it's just you and one opposing clan. Normally that clan has about 10 times the amount of units you do, which is too unbalanced. If you are good enough to defend against the units then the battles become very repetitive and boring. The most unbalanced part of this game is definately the Geishas. Geishas are female ninjas (or ninjas who pose as hookers). They are basically elite ninjas who are nearly impossible to kill. Also, they can't die during and attempted assasination (unlike a normal ninja). This means that they keep trying to assasinate every turn until they suceed.
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Although this game is rather challenging and exciting, it can be very simple to win if you want. All you need to do is build and train four or five Geisha. Send two of them to attack each shogun and leave three behind to protect yours. Once this plan is execute the game is over in about 15-20 turns. I personally would rather let plain strategy control a victory, but even if you don't use the Geisha this is still hard due to the suicidal enemy Shogun.
Overall, this game is very worthwhile and fun to play. However, you might consider getting a newer generation of the game (like the Rome version) just incase they fixed the cons of this version.