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This year changed my perspective on Japanese games
- Thread starter More_Badass
- Start date
The Xtortionist
Member
Persona 5 is incredible and my current GOTY. Yakuza 0 has one of the best stories and set of characters in a long time. Haven't played games in either series before, so they blindsided me in the best possible way out of nowhere.
Nier didn't fully do it for me. Ending was a m a z i n g, but I could have used less combat. It got pretty tiresome.
Japan totes killing it this year, though.
Nier didn't fully do it for me. Ending was a m a z i n g, but I could have used less combat. It got pretty tiresome.
Japan totes killing it this year, though.
RichiRamjag
Member
Damn. Doesn't seem like there's much confidence for this one.
Lord of Ostia
Member
House in Fata Morgana is definitely not too 'anime', and has a lot in common with those works in terms of tone and a unique, somber aesthetic. Maybe also try The Silver Case, seems right up your alley.
Glad you've seen the light regarding Japanese games, Japanese developers are still some of the best in the business.
Edit: Though I have noticed a lack of Falcom in your list of what you've been playing. You should definitely try out the Ys series, Xanadu Next, or the Trails series. If you have a PSP or Vita, I also highly recommend Brandish. Super unique third person dungeon crawler, phenomenal game.
That's just a patently false generalization. Many VNs have drastically different routes that are entirely dependent on your choices. Granted, you'll usually want to go back and do all of them to get the complete picture, but it's usually fun to go with the choices that seem natural to you and see where things end up.
Exentryk
Member
Been a strong year for sure for Japanese games. NieR is my GOTY so far. Kingdom Hearts 2.8 was great with that small KH3 demo, and KH3D remaster was a lot of fun to play. Didn't like Persona 5 and dropped it around the 4th palace. Dropped BotW as well after 10+ hours.
But these are the ones I'm looking forward to next:
Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age (waiting for PC version which might not release in 2017)
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (most hyped game currently)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2nd most hyped game currently)
Then Dragon Quest 11 will also release sometime in 2018 and that should be amazing as well.
But these are the ones I'm looking forward to next:
Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age (waiting for PC version which might not release in 2017)
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom (most hyped game currently)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (2nd most hyped game currently)
Then Dragon Quest 11 will also release sometime in 2018 and that should be amazing as well.
Radical Edward
Member
Liked/ tolerated P5 and loved Nier and Y0 but Nier was the shortest and least tiresome out of those games, imo
arturo2666
Banned
While I am generally more interested in Japanese games, I share the same trepidation around the games that play too hard into shitty anime tropes, and am loving the practical renaissance of output this year.
The craziest thing is that Sega, a publisher I'd previously considered to be pretty washed-up and footnoted, is now in control of my two favorite properties, Persona and Yakuza.
The craziest thing is that Sega, a publisher I'd previously considered to be pretty washed-up and footnoted, is now in control of my two favorite properties, Persona and Yakuza.
More_Badass
Member
Two hours into Yakuza 0 and I'm kind of shocked at how engrossing the story is so far, and how natural and well-written the dialogue is. I was not expecting that at all from the trailer, GIFs, and PS Store screenshots. Like people said the story was good, but it's definitely a see-it-to-believe-it thing, at least for a newcomer
The combat is really fun too. I don't usually care for brawlers/beat-em-ups, but the fighting here feels really satisfying.
I love the design of the city. Feels very lived-in. It reminds me of walking through Time Square, but seedier and denser. And you have a dedicated walking button, perfect
The combat is really fun too. I don't usually care for brawlers/beat-em-ups, but the fighting here feels really satisfying.
I love the design of the city. Feels very lived-in. It reminds me of walking through Time Square, but seedier and denser. And you have a dedicated walking button, perfect
^They are masters of atmosphere, really feels like you are right there in Japan in the 80's. It REALLY feels like the locations it presents. Such a charming game when you aren't curb stomping thugs.
Subscribed to this thread because it has a bunch of stuff that evaded my radar. Never had interest in EDF but apparently the most recent one is really good? May have to check it out
though I just started Persona 5 today and it is amazing, gonna be stuck here awhile I think.
Subscribed to this thread because it has a bunch of stuff that evaded my radar. Never had interest in EDF but apparently the most recent one is really good? May have to check it out
though I just started Persona 5 today and it is amazing, gonna be stuck here awhile I think.
More_Badass
Member
potatohead
Member
Go to a museum and compare Japanese art and artifacts to American ones.any eastern ones almost. It's night and day.
The culture and ideas that come from Japan in games are similarly eccentric and thoughtful and is why Japan is so essential to the life of videogames
The culture and ideas that come from Japan in games are similarly eccentric and thoughtful and is why Japan is so essential to the life of videogames
Japanese games is all I play these days after The Last of Us completely killed my interest in Western games. This year's E3 further solidify that decision as the best one.
I'm playing through both Kingdom Hearts 2 on Critical and Trails in the Sky right now and I'm having a blast. After that I have Nier Automata and World of Final Fantasy to play which I'm really looking forward to. There's also Final Fantasy XII as well in about a month.
It's a good time for RPGs.
I'm playing through both Kingdom Hearts 2 on Critical and Trails in the Sky right now and I'm having a blast. After that I have Nier Automata and World of Final Fantasy to play which I'm really looking forward to. There's also Final Fantasy XII as well in about a month.
It's a good time for RPGs.
Funyarinpa
Member
Fata Morgana itself doesn't have much complications with its choices, but the whole genre is really diverse about that: there are kinetic VNs like Umineko that have literally no choices, but there are also other VNs like Remember11 or Root Double where the choices are much more complicated.
Fata Morgana being "anime", in all seriousness, should be the least of your concerns. It's actually the best counterpoint I've EVER seen to the argument that all visual novels are anime-like in style and execution.
Edit: You like yourself stories realistic, dark and violent? Hoo boy...
similar for me... not that i had anything against japanese games/JRPGS but i had a hard time getting into them. Really enjoyed Yakuza 0, cant wait for Kiwami... still working through Nioh but I really like it, Nier was pretty awesome, and enjoyed Gravity Rush 1 (will play 2 soon). only game I bought that I couldnt get into was Persona 5 
. sorry gaf, i really tried but it just wasnt clicking with me and its too long of a game to force myself to play if im not enjoying myself.
. sorry gaf, i really tried but it just wasnt clicking with me and its too long of a game to force myself to play if im not enjoying myself.More_Badass
Member
It's always a great feeling to find those gateway games that either introduce you to something new or change your mind about a genre you couldn't get into previously. Is it really a rare thing? I guess I've always been open to re-evaluating different genres. There was a time when I didn't like stealth games, turn-based games, old school RPGs, where I couldn't stand challenging games or sims.
My view of things is that one game is only ever one facet of a genre or even a subgenre, so I shouldn't let one color my impressions of a genre as a whole. Where one might not click, another might prove otherwise.
I remembered after getting a PS4 that actually I still like a good old JRPG. World of Final Fantasy is fantastic and I'm certain to get DQ11 as well as FF XII as I've never played it.
That and Persona 5 is on my wish list for finally getting this year I hope. As well as Nier as I stupidly ignored the first one.
I already have DQ Heroes and Builders to get through as well so this last few months has seen me shift back into more Japanese games.
That and Persona 5 is on my wish list for finally getting this year I hope. As well as Nier as I stupidly ignored the first one.
I already have DQ Heroes and Builders to get through as well so this last few months has seen me shift back into more Japanese games.
I agree fully....but too many times we do see a lot of people say the same things you did to stay away, when i bet a decent percentage of those people would enjoy certain games had they tried them...
I agree most with your interpretation of Japanese games as 'indie like'. It would seem that way right? Combining the general weirdness of Japanese culture with a lower developmental cost really shows a creative and cultural divide.
Although to be fair to western games, a lot of it just has to do with the fact that modern publishers are far more focused on AAA block buster affairs(which always goes for the widest possible audience through derivative means) or games as a service, not smaller core experimental "AA" "A" titles.
This year has been amazing for Japan.
Zelda
Nioh
NieR
Persona
All serous contenders for my GOTY. I don't think I've even played a western game this year. I bought Horizon but have yet to play it. Still compare that to last year, western studios were rocking it. Titanfall, overwatch, Doom, Hitman. All amazing games.
Zelda
Nioh
NieR
Persona
All serous contenders for my GOTY. I don't think I've even played a western game this year. I bought Horizon but have yet to play it. Still compare that to last year, western studios were rocking it. Titanfall, overwatch, Doom, Hitman. All amazing games.
Lord of Ostia
Member
Resident Evil 7 is one of the best horror games ever made. I know people who like the action style RE were disappointed, but if you love horror games for the horror, scares, and sense of dread, you owe it to yourself to play this game. I'd even go so far as to say it's the best horror game since Silent Hill 3.
Soul of the Beast
Member
Japanese games rocks, not a single country can compete. (Keyword: SINGLE country)
Yeah, RE7 is fucking amazing!
Yeah, RE7 is fucking amazing!
Tarextherex
Banned
Wii U failed for many reasons, notably because it didn't bring enough novel experiences for longtime Nintendo fans but it's very worth it for your case. With its incredible BC potential you can play like 95% of games available on Nintendo that are commonly mentioned on GAF
Acquiescence
Member
This year has really served as a strong reminder of how special and idiosyncratic Japanese games can be when they nail it. Devs worldwide can try and mimic that certain flavour all they want, but the truth is that only Japan can do the whole 'Japan' thing convincingly. That's why I love the (good) video games that country produces. They can be so strange and exotic and alien.
Moor-Angol
Banned
I really don't understand those enthusiasm for actual japanese games.
For me they are far, very far from the greatness they were years ago (they ruled the decade 1995-2005)
ps: I've been played mostly japanese games since 1990
For me they are far, very far from the greatness they were years ago (they ruled the decade 1995-2005)
ps: I've been played mostly japanese games since 1990
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
Your EDF thread got me to check out some clips of the current PC title, and it looked pretty damn good. Much improved over the last one I played a generation ago.
I've also been checking out some footage of the current Onechanbara which looks surprisingly good.
I've also been checking out some footage of the current Onechanbara which looks surprisingly good.
Games like Breath of the Wild, Yakuza, Persona 5, Nier Automata, Nioh, the Ys series, Kiseki, Xenoblade, Dragon's Dogma, Souls, Monster Hunter, Pokémon, Bayonetta 2, Final Fantasy XIV, a bunch of good remasters and remakes, and everything else Nintendo, are just as good if not better than the previous Japanese game golden age. I am missing a lot of things too.
Jawbreaker
Member
Dragon Quest Builders is another Japanese title that's well worth checking out. It may seem like a Minecraft clone upon first glance, but looks are deceiving in this case. There's a demo you can try if you're at all intrigued; it utterly sold me on the game.
2017 has been the best year for gaming in over a decade for me because of Japanese games. Persona 5 might be my favorite JRPG ever. I'm currently doing a second playthrough and it probably holds up even better. Not to mention stuff like Nier: Automata, Yakuza 0, and Gravity Rush 2. I need to get a Switch because it sounds like I'm missing out on some grab stuff.
QuackkAttack
Member
I'm not entirely sure why though.
The game looks great and looks to improve upon the first in almost every way.
The Hermit
Member
I endorse this post
Bought Zelda in the WiiU and the framerate was so bad that pushed me to buy a Switch before I was planning. It's another game, I wasn't understanding the perfect grades before and now I do.
And Amrs is delightful
Being a Nintendo centric player I was always very fond of japanese games. It was harder to make people see those games the way I do because of their whackyness, but since they are coming to Steam it's slowly being spread to everyone.
One of best game that combined the Japanese weirdness and the Western austerity was Binary Domain, play that.
Also all Platinum games in Steam.
Honestly I'm the other way around. I can have a pretty shitty mind set about non-japanese games. My all time favorites are like 90% Japanese. I have a hard time caring about anything else. The only small exceptions would be Valve (maybe not so much now), id Software, Machine Games, and some indie games.
Maybe it's just all in my head but I feel there's a certain "Soul" to Japanese games that I just don't get a sense of in most other games.
Maybe it's just all in my head but I feel there's a certain "Soul" to Japanese games that I just don't get a sense of in most other games.
Whats that game with the big mech?
Do you play Nintendo? That's a huge source of Japanese games that are fairly mainstream and not "too anime." Also pretty unique games in the industry, although as your tag suggests you've probably experienced a lot of Nintendo-inspired games.
Also, if you want JRPG that are more systems oriented and less story/trope oriented, try Atlus's 3DS/DS offerings, like SMT or EO or just dungeon crawlers in general.
Also, if you want JRPG that are more systems oriented and less story/trope oriented, try Atlus's 3DS/DS offerings, like SMT or EO or just dungeon crawlers in general.