23 Best Video Games Set In Japan, Ranked

Video video games are a wonderful solution to find out about historical past, science, and even different cultures. It is getting simpler and simpler to search out fascinating video games with distinctive visuals, nice tales, and shifting characters that take their gamers around the globe. The identical is true with regards to Japan. Gaming followers can simply journey to and round Japan thanks to those enjoyable and sophisticated video games that permit their gamers discover every little thing from trendy Tokyo to Feudal Japan. A few of the finest recreation anime choices even introduce avid gamers not solely to varied components of Japan but additionally to its gigantic and famend anime business.

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The attract of exploring Japan and its many aspects through the immersive medium of video video games cannot be said sufficient. Gamers can get misplaced in these open worlds as they discover well-known places, work together with acquainted Japanese tropes, and discover each the city and rural locales of the areas current in Japan by means of an genuine lens that cuts no corners.

Up to date June 8, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: Japan has been a hotbed for video gaming since time everlasting, and it is downright fascinating that so many titles are based mostly on this nation. It doesn’t matter what the interval could also be, there is no denying that gamers can have a good time exploring Japan and each its city and countryside environments in superb video video games. These titles have compelling gameplay loops and let gamers take pleasure in an in depth and immersive look into the nation’s wealthy tradition.

23

One Night time, Scorching Springs

Metascore: N/A

Gaming followers who love enjoying with enjoyable visible novels on Steam will love the heartwarming world of One Night time, Scorching Springs. This charming recreation focuses on the world of Japanese onsens.

Gamers will management a younger transgender girl named Haru who merely needs to benefit from the scorching springs of Japan. Whereas it is a easy and enjoyable recreation it additionally explores vital present points that transgender folks need to face every day. Due to its fascinating storytelling and charming artwork type gamers can embark on a relaxing but thought-provoking journey.

22

In The Rural Village Of Nagoro

Metascore: N/A

In The Rural Village of Nagoro is among the most enjoyable side-scrolling video games set in Japan that lets gamers discover Shikoku island’s charming village referred to as Nagoro. It is a easy and minimalist recreation that is additionally an important selection for freshmen and casuals alike.

Throughout their brief however enjoyable journey, gamers will get to have interaction with the inhabitants of the village and witness the transformation of the once-thriving group. It is an emotional and meditative expertise with academic insights into the attractive Nagoro village and its evolution through the years.

21

Senren＊Banka

Metascore: N/A

Senren＊Banka is among the most family-friendly Japanese sim video games that is an important selection for newbie and extra superior avid gamers as effectively. This feel-good sim has a cute design, a enjoyable story, and a variety of characters.

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Although Senren＊Banka‘s story is fantasy-inspired, it is nonetheless an important selection for all avid gamers who’re on the lookout for video video games about Japan since, throughout their adventures, gamers get an opportunity to study extra about Japanese historical past, structure, in addition to about Japan’s customs, traditions, and mythology. They will discover a captivating rural Japanese village and construct relationships with the divine beings who reside there as they uncover the mysteries of the village’s previous and current.

20

Trek To Yomi

Metascore: 71

Trek to Yomi is one other action-filled online game that transports its gamers again in time and takes them on an epic journey stuffed with bloody battles. This cinematic action-adventure recreation not solely has lovely graphics however a gripping story and chilling soundtrack.

Trek to Yomi steps into the footwear of a younger swordsman named Hiroki and embarks on a harmful journey because the lone samurai fights towards demons to guard these he loves probably the most. It is a deep dive into feudal Japan, in addition to the standard weapons that samurai warriors used. Casuals can take a look at helpful newbie suggestions for Trek to Yomi to get began with the sport extra simply.

19

Tokyo Jungle

Metascore: 74

Tokyo Jungle is a enjoyable survival horror recreation that takes its gamers to a post-apocalyptic Japan the place people have gone extinct. Tokyo appears like a abandoned wasteland populated by solely wild animals. The graphics are lovely in their very own manner, and all kinds of animals may be managed.

To unlock increasingly more animals, avid gamers have to finish numerous enjoyable challenges. It is an important recreation with a dystopian really feel, unique animals, in addition to family pets who all combat one another to remain alive within the wild. The sport may be tough at instances, however because of its distinctive world, it retains everybody entertained till the very finish.

18

Ghostwire: Tokyo

Metascore: 75

Ghostwire: Tokyo transports its gamers right into a dystopian model of modern-day Tokyo, the place they’ll stroll across the streets of Japan’s iconic capital metropolis whereas combating supernatural creatures. It is one of the vital real looking video video games set in Tokyo with a mysteries-filled and interesting story.

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Gamers will get to make use of distinctive and highly effective elemental skills as they attempt to uncover the darkish thriller behind the sudden disappearance of Tokyo’s residents and restore town to its authentic glory. Due to Ghostwire: Tokyo, avid gamers can’t solely discover a deeply atmospheric model of Tokyo, together with a few of its most iconic landmarks like Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Tower however study extra about Japan’s fascinating mythology and its terrifying vengeful spirits referred to as Yokai.

17

Judgment

Metascore: 80

Judgment is the spinoff of the favored Yakuza sequence, and it rapidly turned simply as beloved by gaming followers. Judgment is among the latest video video games set in Japan with epic combat scenes, similar to Yakuza 8. It is one of the vital cinematic crime video games the place Tokyo’s darkest alleys may be explored whereas investigating a twisted crime thriller.

Gamers will get to check their fight expertise in addition to their vital pondering expertise in the event that they need to survive the brutal underworld of Tokyo and uncover the darkish thriller. It is a tougher however deeply atmospheric recreation with an immersive story which makes it excellent not just for avid avid gamers however freshmen and casuals who’re on the lookout for a extremely entertaining problem.

16

NEO: The World Ends With You

Metascore: 80

NEO: The World Ends with You is among the latest motion JRPGs set in Japan that is additionally one in every of 2022’s most celebrated video games. This colourful and enjoyable recreation takes its gamers on a battles-filled and emotional journey throughout which they must compete within the Reapers’ Sport.

It is a superbly animated recreation skilled from the perspective of Rindo, who has to study to make use of his sudden psychic powers whereas battling towards different gamers of the Reapers’ recreation within the streets of modern-day Shibuya, Tokyo. It is an ideal selection for freshmen and extra skilled avid gamers who like motion video games with nice storytelling.

15

Tokyo Mirage Classes #FE Encore

Metascore: 81

Tokyo Mirage Classes #FE Encore is a technique JRPG recreation with lovely anime aesthetics and is about in modern-day Tokyo. The sport facilities round Japan’s iconic idol tradition, so it has loads of superb OSTs. The story follows Itsuki and his pals, who’re members of an idol expertise company and need to combat towards hostile beings from one other world.

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It is a actually enjoyable and significantly straightforward recreation that lets its gamers find out about modern-day Tokyo and popular culture on the identical time. Tokyo Mirage Classes #FE Encore additionally feels mild however enjoyable and has nice storytelling, numerous appearing, dancing, singing, quick fight, enjoyable characters, and naturally, highly effective friendships.

14

Like A Dragon: Ishin!

Metascore: 81

Like a Dragon: Ishin! is among the most real looking Japanese video video games with lovely graphics and an exhilarating story. Gamers get to journey again in time to the 1860s and step into the footwear of a legendary Samurai. It is a good look into Japanese historical past and martial arts. Nevertheless, Like a Dragon: Ishin! additionally has sensible characters and a captivating open world the place gamers get to hitch a revolution to combat for justice and attempt to restore their honor.

Whereas this action-adventure JRPG may be difficult for freshmen, there are many superb guides to the finest weapons in Like a Dragon: Ishin! that may assist casuals make their expertise extra pleasurable from the beginning. It is a tremendous spin-off that lets gamers have a good time with a brand new tackle acquainted Yakuza characters close to the tip of the Edo interval.

13

Ghost Of Tsushima

Metascore: 83

Ghost Of Tsushima is among the most beloved and visually beautiful historic video games set in Japan. Gamers will get an opportunity to step into the footwear of a robust samurai named Jin Sakai and go into epic battles to guard the attractive Japanese Island of Tsushima. Nevertheless, fight is not the one focus of this recreation. It additionally comes with a deeply immersive open world that may be freely explored whereas defending it from the primary Mongol invasion.

It is excellent for individuals who love action-filled and superbly animated video games like Sekiro Shadows Die Twice and different samurai video games set in feudal Japan. The title’s gameplay is probably not all that distinctive, however the superb visible design and a riveting story exploring the character of honor and the varied types it will probably take make for a good time as gamers discover Japan within the late Kamakura interval.

12

Steins;Gate

Metascore: 83

Steins;Gate is a good looking journey sci-fi visible novel recreation that is excellent for all sorts of avid gamers, even freshmen. The sport, similar to the unique anime sequence, is about in Tokyo’s geekiest district, Akihabara, and it principally follows the anime’s story, however it’s attainable to realize a number of endings. The setting of recent Japan elevates the narrative chops of this sequence, with the deal with mature themes like PTSD being achieved tastefully.

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The sport additionally has the identical gorgeous and distinctive visuals, however because of the modifications, there are some methods the visible novel recreation is healthier than the anime. It is a few group of scholars who uncover and develop new know-how that lets them change the previous. Steins;Gate is praised by critics and followers alike, who discover it one of the vital shifting, thrilling visible novel video games of all time that is capable of make its gamers cry.

11

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

Metascore: 84

After six entries and a prequel that includes Kazuma Kiryu, most gamers weren’t positive if they may let go of this legendary determine within the sequence, particularly after the Judgment prequels didn’t make followers resonate with a brand new protagonist. Nevertheless, in contrast to the joyless Takayuki Yagami, Ichiban Kasuga is a bundle of sheer, unfiltered pleasure who’s a blast to work together with.

Exploring Isezaki Ijincho, Kamurocho, and Sotenbori with Ichiban makes for a good time. The cultures of actual Japanese districts are replicated superbly on this recreation, making for a good time as gamers devour delectable items of Japanese delicacies, interact in pastimes which might be fairly frequent in these areas, and familiarize themselves with places which might be current in actual life.

10

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries Of Honjo

Metascore: 85

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo is a chilling and immersive horror recreation happening in Tokyo, Japan. The sport’s story is about in Twentieth-century Japan and is stuffed with distinctive characters, mysteries, and ghosts. Gamers must examine a sequence of lethal curses and attempt to discover out what brought on a sequence of mysterious deaths together with a high-school scholar’s suicide.

PARANORMASIGHT: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo not solely has a chilling story but additionally immerses gamers right into a Showa-era Japan setting and even options real-life 360° pictures of Sumida. It is a wildly underrated journey recreation that extra gamers ought to take a look at in the event that they love distinctive choices on this style.

9

Yakuza 0

Metascore: 85

Yakuza 0 is a good combating journey recreation set in a surprising open-world setting that lets its gamers discover Tokyo and Osaka’s two hottest districts. It is among the finest visually gorgeous crime-based video video games with nice characters and is about within the 90s. Yakuza 0‘s story follows Kiryu and Majima, who’re additionally the 2 playable characters of the sport.

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They get entangled in a battle between numerous households within the Tojo Clan that shapes each characters to develop into the legends that gamers are accustomed to. Its attention-grabbing setting, fast-paced story, and brutal fight make it a straightforward recreation to get into, with the sport set in Japan’s bubble period within the late 80s, which is mirrored brilliantly within the title’s gameplay.

8

The Nice Ace Lawyer Chronicles

Metascore: 86

The Nice Ace Lawyer Chronicles is among the highest-rated visible novel video games set in Japan and England. Gamers will get to discover each international locations whereas immersing themselves on this enjoyable recreation’s story-rich world. It is a superbly animated recreation with an anime artwork type and lovely historic settings.

It is excellent for individuals who like enjoyable however twisty thriller video games and would not thoughts testing their detective expertise whereas accumulating proof and interrogating witnesses to unravel the case as rookie attorneys. The plot focuses on Ryunosuke, who’s simply getting began together with his profession and has to uncover the darkish particulars of a homicide thriller.

7

Katamari Damacy REROLL

Metascore: 87

Katamari Damacy REROLL is among the cutest however hardest video games that is even humorous at instances. The sport is about in modern-day Japan, however it has a fantasy twist. The story follows the ridiculous adventures of the King and Prince of All Cosmos who attempt to restore the celebs after the King by chance destroyed them. The primary character is the Prince, who has to discover a solution to put the celebs again the place they belong.

As soon as gamers get the hold of it, the sport is definitely fairly enjoyable and mood-boosting because of its charming visuals, foolish story, and upbeat music. Like many issues Japanese, Katamari Damacy REROLL is cute, loopy, bizarre, and an entire lot of enjoyable.

6

Shenmue

Metascore: 88

Shenmue is among the most beloved video video games on the Sega Dreamcast, integrating an immersive open world that was forward of something on the time. Whereas the sport could have failed to show over a revenue, the sheer quantity of affection current on this title is leaking by means of each pore.

With its endearing voice appearing and enjoyable story beats, gamers who do not thoughts coping with extreme quick-time moments will love what Shenmue has to supply. It may be a fairly robust recreation to get into with out a information, however all of those struggles will probably be worthwhile if gamers take some time to take a look at this glorious recreation for themselves. Exploring town of Yokosuka to search out clues surrounding the homicide of Ryo’s father earlier than shifting on to China makes for a good time.

5

Persona 3 Reload

Metascore: 88

Persona 3 is taken into account by many to characteristic one of many strongest tales within the franchise, and the truth that gamers can lastly play a trustworthy remake of this title is appreciated by many. Persona 3 Reload lets gamers discover the tower of Tartarus whereas fulfilling their function as a highschool scholar in Japan another time.

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Tatsumi Port Island is a good location that’s harking back to most coastal Japanese cities, reflecting their cultures in additional methods than one. It is a cheerful location that gamers like to view as a respite from a darkish and brooding story that may be a stark departure from the lighter tones of Persona 4 and 5.

4

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Metascore: 90

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an action-adventure RPG that takes its gamers to 1500s Sengoku period Japan. This atmospheric ninja story gained Sport of the Yr in 2019 and is extremely praised by critics and avid gamers alike. The story is a few shinobi warrior who needs to take revenge and restore his honor after a clan attacked him and kidnapped his lord.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a really tough recreation that proved to be difficult even for avid avid gamers, so it requires persistence. Nevertheless, because of its inventive story, gorgeous visuals, and mysteries, it additionally supplies immensely pleasurable gameplay. Suffice it to say, the Japanese setting does an important job of elevating the sport’s high quality.