klabautermann
Member
I miss rhythm games.
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Nichest of the Niche
- Thread starter hampig
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chrominance
Member
Yup, the other poster was referring to the developer Artdink. Scroll did a cover story on their weird and wonderful collection of games, it's a great read. A-Train is probably the franchise they're best known for, or at least it's the most iconic one. Dunno if Carnage Heart is better known or not, I keep getting that mixed up with Arcana Heart.
Speaking of Scroll, Ray Barnholdt also did an issue about the Boku no Natsuyasumi franchise. Less niche than the Combini sim I posted earlier, but only in the sense that it's better known; it's definitely got an eclectic heart. Basically, you play a little boy who goes on summer vacation in the Japanese countryside. That's it! You get to know people, go fishing and hunting for bugs, and other summer vacation stuff. I've never played any of the games (again, because of the language barrier, though I now own all of them) but the same developer also made Attack of the Friday Monsters! for the 3DS, which has a similar vibe and was absolutely wonderful. That game got an English localization a few years back and you can buy it on the eShop for a pittance. Absolutely worth it.
That's a good one! I have Boku No Natsuyasumi 3 and Attack of the Friday Monsters! I was one of the first to post a video of the latter on youtube actually, because I wanted people to be able to find at least some footage for it.
Boku No Natsuyasumi has been one of my main motivations for learning Japanese over the years. Something about that series really clicks with me. Turns out learning a new language is hard though.
Edit: Looking into Scroll, they seem to have a ton of interesting stuff. Is their work quality? Would it be dumb to take the dive on one or two of these issues?
I think the nichest games I've been a big fan of were Roguelikes, back when they were free turn based dungeon crawlers with ascii characters in place of graphics.
ADOM was my favourite, and the only one I actually completed
I love ADOM so much, so many great ideas.
Gremlins!
Frictionless floors!
Cold blooded characters that have to deal with the different perils of a heat tower and ice tower!
yaffi
Member
I think this is pretty niche:
Import impression from 2004:
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/yoshinoya-import-impressions/1100-6100879/
Import impression from 2004:
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/yoshinoya-import-impressions/1100-6100879/
Aizo
Banned
Was the first Fuuraiki for PS1? I think I played that on my vita a couple years ago, but I didn't really get what I was doing. Is it just about having a solo roadtrip through Hokkaido? You know what's funny? I think I played it when I was traveling alone through Hokkaido and Tohoku by local train.
Dangerous1992
Member
definitely X-Scape on the DSi, it is a sequel of the unknown and even more niche japan only title "X" (gameboy)
It's the precursor of star fox i would say, similar gameplay but with more of a sandbox like approach with on rails segments in between, all in first person.
And it even controls amazingly on the DS, it feels really like you control a tank, but it's not a standard one, you can even fly and thats the moment that it really feels like a more realistic starfox game. You can choose between touchscreen aiming and classic control stile with buttons, both of them work well.
The switch from fly to ground mode is seamless and so satisfying!!
Last but not least, the music and atmosphere is so unique, really great artstyle!
it's playable on 3DS, so give it a try
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3k-PhoJXQA
Dangerous1992
Member
Almost forgot, Bomberman 2 DS, a really overlooked title and niche within its series. It has one of the best singleplayer modes!
Real Time Action Card RPG
I really loved Lost Kingdom. From Software has been making great stuff for years.
Is that a reference or something?
From Software has done interesting and odd games before and Im glad they got fame out of the Soul games. I do wish we get more experimental stuff eventually from them.
Lost Kingdoms is not turn based tho.
Ditto, they've been making awesome stuff for years and years. Armored Core, Otogi, Kuon, Chromehounds. I know there are people who like King's Field too, and that started back in '94.
Funyarinpa
Member
The Vita is my favorite platform and visual novels are my favorite genre, you tell me. 
randomengine
Banned
I'm the only person I've ever seen who even talks about mystaria on the Sega Saturn on gaf
Other shout outs to astal, bug and clockwork knight
Other shout outs to astal, bug and clockwork knight
The Vita is my favorite platform and visual novels are my favorite genre, you tell me.
The House in Fata Morgana not getting localized is a sad stuff for western Vita owners. Best VN IMO and it sold terribly
I originally found this one in the early 90's on the Turbo Duo and, yes, it's a great shooter (hard) with a great soundtrack.
texhnolyze
Banned
Super Robot Wars and SD Gundam Generation. I've been a fan of the since childhood.
The new V trailer thread hasn't got any reply yet in Gaf.
The new V trailer thread hasn't got any reply yet in Gaf.
Niche games are great, if it's a genre or topic that you're interested in, they'll really go in detail with it. I don't really follow any niche communities but I can appreciate their passionate following.
Also, it amazes me how niche games can get. I remember looking at this picture and only knowing a few games from level 4, and I thought I followed games pretty deeply.
Also, it amazes me how niche games can get. I remember looking at this picture and only knowing a few games from level 4, and I thought I followed games pretty deeply.
Zangeki No Reginleiv.
EDF in Norse mythology (kind of) with super satisfying Wiimote waggling/swinging and hilarious physics.
I just love Sandlot.
https://youtu.be/U4gfED0_PCA
Medieval EDF! That looks amazing.
Yeah, I forgot it was on the Turbo Duo as well. I didn't have one of those when I was growing up. The Sega CD was my system of choice until I sold it and got an Atari Jaguar. I know what you're thinking, but don't laugh! I actually loved that Jaguar until I got my hands on a PlayStation at Best Buy before they came out. I sold my Jaguar and put the money into a launch PlayStation and never looked back.
In the last few years I've reacquired my old systems and have had a lot of fun revisiting games from my youth.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
The PC-98 and PC-88 parts of that I will agree to. There's shit in those eras of computer gaming that don't really have any english-language presence.
I bought this years ago in a place in the north of England that sold end-of-line / seconds clothes and kitchen wear. It was on a spinning display stand surrounded by trousers and jackets that weren't fashionable anymore or too big or too small to be sold.
Jim_Cacher
Member
Most visual novels / eroge other than Steins;Gate.
Many of them have difficulties to sell over 10,000 copies in Japan. While they are the nichest of the niche, I believe there are many hidden gems not being talked by many people.
Many of them have difficulties to sell over 10,000 copies in Japan. While they are the nichest of the niche, I believe there are many hidden gems not being talked by many people.
The Adventures of Little Ralph is a real gem of a game that I always loved as soon as I saw it on an old forum I used to be part of way back when. It look great in motion, here's a vid:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax3n38JYESE
Harmful Park is a fantastic shooter from Hamster, is a riot of colour.
And again here's a video of it in action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xr9aSPtKq4
These mark a point in my life where import gaming was something I was getting into, I would hoover up so many games from Japan, but these two always stuck with me. They're also incredibly fun to play, just thinking about them makes me wish I still owned my modchipped PSone and the games!
Kresnik258
Member
You've literally just reminded me of Robo Pit, a crappy fighting game where you built your own robots. But I kinda enjoyed it. Even got a sequel that came to Europe.
It was indeed. You go through the countryside taking photographs for a competition or magazine or something, and there are some visual novel sections too.
Everything I've seen from it - scenery; music; story, just appeals to me. Same way Boku no Natsuyasmi does. Just calm and lovely. Really want to try it one day (will import and muddle through with google translate I guess).
Lots of great suggestions! I've always been interested in Doshin and Flower Sun and Rain. Gigantic Drive looks like R.A.D. Which is a goood thing.
Ranko Tsukigime's Longest Day looks... interesting. I'm not surprised it's a Suda/Dimps game just by the screens though. Definitely putting that on my list.
Funyarinpa
Member
Goddamn, my favorite VN is The House In Fata Morgana too and I need that port ;_;The House in Fata Morgana not getting localized is a sad stuff for western Vita owners. Best VN IMO and it sold terribly
It's a perfect pick for the thread as well.
Im just a bit glad that the game got some recognition at SteamGAF GOTY and the thread is getting more activity lately too.
Funyarinpa
Member
Im just a bit glad that the game got some recognition at SteamGAF GOTY and the thread is getting more activity lately too.
The High Quality award was well-deserved, haha!
(For posterity, The House In Fata Morgana is a Gothic horror VN up on Steam, and it's incredible)
I've got ZD Geezer Unlosing Ranger and I also bought Gotcha Force on eBay, when I was buying games that had mechanics that intrigued me. Unfortunately the disc wouldn't work, so I had to get a refund.
I think it's niche, but I've got a PS1 1v1 arena game where players can change the shape and formation of their projectile weapons. By pressing different combnaitions of buttons you can make them slow and strong, or fast and weak, or fan out into different shapes.
Can't remember the bloody name though and it's tucked away upstairs.
I think it's niche, but I've got a PS1 1v1 arena game where players can change the shape and formation of their projectile weapons. By pressing different combnaitions of buttons you can make them slow and strong, or fast and weak, or fan out into different shapes.
Can't remember the bloody name though and it's tucked away upstairs.
That's interesting. Never heard of a game like that before. If you remember you should post that name!
Found it - Destrega by Koei
https://youtu.be/JDmjSrQjqKE
I was getting games that would be fun to play at a party, so we had that, Bushido Blade and Rocky Legends. But I was really the only hardcore gamer and fighting game fan, so I don't think Destrega and BB were as appreciated as Rocky.
ProgenitorCastle
Banned
I love niche games! Off the top my head, the ones I can think of are El Shaddai, The Wonderful 101, and Under The Skin. Sadly, many niche games I come across are old games, meaning when I buy them it's often a used copy...no money goes to the developer from that. Recently, I've made an effort to support niche games on day one, such as Nightcry and Gravity Rush 2. I wouldn't like gaming as much as I do now if it weren't for niche games
SerTapTap
Member
Niche is kind of my thing. It'd be easier to list what games I'm interested in that aren't niche. My favorites are Platine Dispositif's games, which are often hard to even acquire at all.
Been playing a lot of Legend of Dark Witch 2 both at it's 3DS release and this weekend for it's PC release. Amazing the community it's managed to gather. Makes me glad to see that kind of attention for something that isn't tohou/boatweirdos
Regarding RPG maker horror games, I played Yume Nikki and Ib, but had a HELL of a time playing a bunch of other games. Installed weird language packs, IME stuff, changed language to Japanese and rebooted a whole lot...is there an up to date guide on how to play some of the harder to get ones working on windows 10?
I played a bunch for Halloween and really wanted to play more, but it was NOT happening. I wasted about 20 minutes on stream trying to get it to work. Yume 2kki was one of the ones that didn't work.
Been playing a lot of Legend of Dark Witch 2 both at it's 3DS release and this weekend for it's PC release. Amazing the community it's managed to gather. Makes me glad to see that kind of attention for something that isn't tohou/boatweirdos
Regarding RPG maker horror games, I played Yume Nikki and Ib, but had a HELL of a time playing a bunch of other games. Installed weird language packs, IME stuff, changed language to Japanese and rebooted a whole lot...is there an up to date guide on how to play some of the harder to get ones working on windows 10?
I played a bunch for Halloween and really wanted to play more, but it was NOT happening. I wasted about 20 minutes on stream trying to get it to work. Yume 2kki was one of the ones that didn't work.
cj_iwakura
Member
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