Japan is responsible for some of gaming’s biggest franchises. Super Mario, Pokémon and Final Fantasy have each had a huge impact on the industry, both in terms of their wide appeal and the influence that they’ve had on other games. In many ways, it’s difficult to imagine what the medium might look like without them.
As well as being a country that’s great at making games though, it’s also one that provides a fantastic setting for them. There are plenty of picturesque locations across the country, but none more so than the nation’s capital. Tokyo has hosted many fantastic titles, with certain wards in particular featuring far more frequently than others. For those who aren’t keen to make the long trip across the Pacific to visit, these games might just offer the next best thing.
10 Persona 5
Although hugely popular in Japan, the Shin Megami Tensei series failed to gain much of a foothold in the Western market during the 90’s. Thanks to the overwhelming success of Persona 5 though, many players have been able to go back and discover exactly what the series has to offer. Several of the SMT games take place in Tokyo, as does the aforementioned Persona 5.
The game takes players all over the city, with areas like Akihabara, Asakusa and Shibuya featuring heavily throughout the game’s narrative. Takenoko Street isn’t actually a real place in Tokyo, although it seems to have been heavily inspired by Takeshita Street in the Harajuku district.
9 Tokyo Jungle
Tokyo Jungle is a PSN game that takes place in a not too distant future after the extinction of mankind. In humanity’s absence, animals have reclaimed the streets and must fight for their very survival. There are 80 different types to control, with each providing their own unique benefits and challenges. Together with the game’s breeding and combat systems, this makes for a surprisingly deep adventure that caters to a wide range of playstyles.
The game takes place in the Shibuya and Yoyogi areas of Tokyo, with parts of the Yamanote train line also included. There aren’t any obvious landmarks to be seen, nor is the geography particularly accurate. All the same though, it provides an incredibly enjoyable and atmospheric experience. If a sequel ever arrives, it will be interesting to see more of the city in this post-humanity era.
8 Judgment
As with the Yakuza games that came before it, Judgement is set in the fictional Tokyo district of Kamurocho. Fictional though it may be, it’s easy to see the parallels between Kamurocho and Kabukicho, an entertainment district found in the Shinjuku ward that served as the area’s main inspiration.
Although the game doesn’t feature any of Tokyo’s iconic landmarks, there are several real world locations to be explored. It’s possible to do some shopping in Don Quijote, with the in-game rendition even featuring a similarly cluttered layout and the chain’s iconic theme song. There are also Club Sega arcades to play around in as well as Poppo convenience stores, which seem to be inspired by the Lawson or Daily Yamazaki chains.
7 Sakura Wars
Sakura Wars is a long-running franchise that was recently rebooted by Sega following a fairly long hiatus. It’s an action RPG that incorporates dating sim elements and is not too dissimilar to Persona. It leans quite heavily on the social sim angle and features a wide and diverse cast of characters.
The most recent game takes place in the past in an alternate version of Tokyo where the Taishō period lasted far longer than it did in real life. As for locations, The Grand Imperial Theater bears a heavy resemblance to the former Imperial Theater in Marunouchi. It’s also possible to visit the Kabuki-za Theatre, which still stands in the Ginza district to this day.
6 Akiba’s Beat
Akiba’s Beat is an Action RPG that allows players to explore the Akihabara district of Tokyo, which is known by some as Akiba. One of the area’s other nicknames is the electric town and playing the game, it’s easy to see why. The area is full of bright lights and electronics shops and there are plenty of arcades to visit too.
Other than its vibrant setting, the game offers very little to set it apart from the hordes of other JRPGs that are out there. There is little innovation to be found and, as a consequence, very little enjoyment to be had. It struggled to make much of an impression in either Japan or the West, with many reviewers criticizing the game’s timid approach.
5 428: Shibuya Scramble
Visual novels aren’t usually known for their innovative gameplay, but 428: Shibuya Scramble is not your typical visual novel game. Its parallel gameplay mechanic really helps to differentiate it from other titles in the genre and makes for a one of a kind experience. For those who like this style of game, it’s up there with the very best.
The streets of Shibuya provide its setting, with more than 120,000 photographs being taken of the ward over a two month period. These were actually taken illegally though, with the game’s producer later revealing that team members were arrested during the process of photographing the area. As a result of their dedication however, the game is full of recognizable locations that give a great account of Shibuya.
4 The Lost Child
The Lost Child follows the story of Hayato Ibuki, an occult journalist investigating a string of suspicious suicides. After meeting a mysterious woman, he’s given a strange device that allows him to capture celestial and arcane beasts that can then be used in battle. It’s like a much darker version of Pokémon, but with a highly engaging narrative.
Hayato’s quest to capture these creatures takes him all across Tokyo as well as other locations throughout Japan. The Umeda, Akihabara and Ginza districts of the city all feature as playable areas, as does the iconic Mount Fuji. The game’s contrasting art styles can at times feel a little conflicting, but, for the most part, the game is able to capture the look and feel of the places that it’s trying to depict.
3 Jet Set Radio
The Sega Dreamcast has some fantastic titles, but none are quite as eye-opening as Jet Set Radio. With its cell-shaded graphics and killer soundtrack, it’s a game that’s difficult not to like. Throw in some unique gameplay mechanics, and it’s easy to see why fans are still calling for the continuation of the series almost two decades on from its last entry.
Both the original game and its sequel take place on the streets of Tokyo and require players to skate around the city painting gang tags on walls and other objects. It’s set predominantly in the Shibuya ward, although also takes players to Tokyo’s sewers as well as the nearby city of Yokohama. Sega may not be too keen to commit to a new JSR game, but hopefully the recently announced Bomb Rush Cyberfunk will serve as a worthy spiritual successor.
2 AI: The Somnium Files
AI: The Somnium Files is set in the not too distant future and explores many areas of the Japanese capital. It follows the story of detective Kaname Date who is able to enter the memories of murder victims in order to gather intel about the elusive cyclops serial killer. It’s fairly similar to Murdered: Soul Suspect in this regard.
All of Tokyo’s 23 wards are included in the game, but the bulk of the action takes place in only a select few. Minato and Shinjuku are the most prevalent, although players are given a decent glimpse of places like Akihabara as well. Their depictions are all fairly true to life, although certain alterations have been made – perhaps to account for the game being set in the future.
1 Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE
Tokyo Mirage Sessions ♯FE is a crossover title featuring elements from the Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem franchises. As a result, many of the characters from these series make appearances. It’s an incredibly well-designed game with some very interesting battle mechanics, although a string of technical issues let it down a little.
Shibuya and Harajuku serve as the game’s primary locations with the bright lights and colors painting a fairly accurate picture. Although some of the stores resemble those found in the real world, the names have all been changed with many taking on the names of some of the demons found throughout the SMT series.
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