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Gaming fans can easily travel to and around Japan thanks to these fun and complex games that let their players explore everything from modern Tokyo to Feudal Japan. Some of the best game anime options even introduce gamers not only to various parts of Japan but also to its gigantic and renowned anime industry.
Updated October 29, 2022 by Via Erhard: Gaming fans can easily explore not only Tokyo but other beautiful and exciting parts of Japan thanks to the best games based in Japan. Gamers can get lost in these action-filled and often Japanese mythology-inspired worlds and fight for justice in historical games set in Japan or explore modern-day Tokyo thanks to new games like Yakuza 8. No matter if a player likes retro or modern games because gamers of all types and levels can find entertaining and deeply atmospheric video games set in Japan that’ll surely provide unforgettable playtime.
12 Judgment
Judgment is the spinoff of the popular Yakuza series, and it quickly became just as beloved by gaming fans. Judgment is one of the newest video games set in Japan with epic fight scenes just like Yakuza 8. It’s one of the most cinematic crime games that lets its players explore Tokyo’s darkest alleys while investigating a twisted crime mystery.
Players will get to test their combat skills as well as their critical thinking skills if they want to survive the brutal underworld of Tokyo and uncover the dark mystery. It’s a more difficult but deeply atmospheric game with an immersive story which makes it perfect not only for avid gamers but beginners and casual players who are looking for a highly entertaining challenge.
11 NEO: The World Ends With You
NEO: The World Ends with You is one of the newest action JRPGs set in Japan that’s also one of 2022’s most celebrated games. This colorful and fun game takes its players on a battles-filled and emotional adventure during which they will have to compete in the Reapers’ Game.
It’s a beautifully animated game during which the players will step into the shoes of Rindo who has to learn to use his sudden psychic powers while battling against other players of the Reapers’ game in the streets of modern-day Shibuya, Tokyo. It’s a perfect choice for beginners and more experienced gamers who like action games with great storytelling.
10 The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles is one of the highest-rated visual novel games set in Japan and England. Players will get to explore both countries while immersing themselves in this fun game’s story-rich world. It’s a beautifully animated game with an anime art style and gorgeous historical settings.
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It’s perfect for players who like fun but twisty mystery games and wouldn’t mind testing their detective skills while collecting evidence and interrogating witnesses to solve the case as rookie lawyers. Players will step into the shoes of Ryunosuke who is just getting started with his career and has to uncover the dark details of a murder mystery.
9 Ghost Of Tsushima
Ghost Of Tsushima is one of the most beloved and visually gorgeous historical games set in Japan. Players will get a chance to step into the shoes of a powerful samurai named Jin Sakai and go into epic battles to protect the beautiful Japanese Island of Tsushima.
However, players will not only fight in this game but can also enjoy its deeply immersive open world and freely explore the breathtaking Tsushima island while protecting it from the first Mongol invasion. It’s perfect for those players who love action-filled and beautifully animated games like Sekiro Shadows Die Twice and other samurai games set in feudal Japan.
8 Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate is a beautiful adventure sci-fi visual novel game that’s perfect for all types of gamers, even beginners. The game just like the original anime series is set in Tokyo’s geekiest district, Akihabara, and it mostly follows the anime’s story, but players can achieve multiple endings.
The game also got the same stunning and unique visuals, but thanks to the changes there are some ways the visual novel game is better than the anime. It’s about a group of students who discover and develop new technology that lets them change the past. Steins;Gate is praised by critics and fans alike who find it one of the most moving, thrilling visual novel games of all time that’s able to make its players cry.
7 Tokyo Jungle
Tokyo Jungle is a fun survival horror game that takes its players to a post-apocalyptic Japan where humans have gone extinct. Tokyo looks like a deserted wasteland populated by only wild animals.
Tokyo Jungle’s graphic is beautiful and players can control a wide variety of animals. To unlock more and more animals gamers have to complete various fun challenges. It’s a great game with a dystopian feel, exotic animals, as well as household pets who all fight each other to stay alive in the wild. The game can be difficult at times but thanks to its unique world it keeps players entertained until the very end.
6 Yakuza 0
Yakuza 0 is a great fighting adventure game set in a stunning open-world environment that lets its players explore Tokyo and Osaka’s two most popular districts. Is one of the best visually stunning crime-based video games with great characters and is set in the 90s.
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Yakuza 0’s story follows Kazuma and Goro who are also the two playable characters of the game. They get involved in a conflict with Yakuza groups who are fighting for the same area. It’s not an easy game, but it’s interesting, fast-paced, and brutal like most good fighting games.
5 Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal is an adventure RPG game that was voted multiple times as one of the best video games of all time. The game takes its players to modern-day Tokyo where they have to control a high school student with an alias known as the Joker who lives out a single year.
This beautiful and often emotional game has great characters with complex stories as well as social mechanics and of course, great turn-based combat. Persona 5 Royal is an exciting RPG game with great twists that surprise and entertain even seasoned players.
4 Katamari Damacy REROLL
Katamari Damacy REROLL is one of the cutest but hardest games that’s even funny at times. The game is set in modern-day Japan, but it has a fantasy twist. The story follows the ridiculous adventures of the King and Prince of All Cosmos who try to restore the stars after the King accidentally destroyed them. Players control the Prince who has to find a way to put the stars back where they belong.
Once players get the hang of it is actually a quite relaxing and mood-boosting game thanks to its charming visuals, silly story, and upbeat music. Like many things Japanese, Katamari Damacy REROLL is cute, crazy, weird, and a whole lot of fun.
3 Okami
Okami is one of the most unique action adventure RPG games that let you play god. However, there is much more to love about this brilliant game. The story is based on Japanese mythology and folklore and is set a hundred years in the past in Nippon, Japan. The players control a Shinto sun goddess, Okami Amaterasu, who is in the form of a white wolf, and the story is about how she saved the land from darkness.
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Okami is a feel-good and endearing game with beautiful music and the creators used the renowned Sumi-e ink art style to create its stunning visuals which make the game stand out even more. It’s also a fairly easy game, but it never gets boring which means that the gameplay is a fun and memorable experience for new and experienced gamers too.
2 Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is an action-adventure RPG and is one of the best historically accurate games that takes its players to 1500s Sengoku era Japan. This atmospheric ninja story won Game of the Year in 2019 and is highly praised by critics and gamers alike. The story is about a shinobi warrior who wants to take revenge and restore his honor after a clan attacked him and kidnaped his lord.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a very difficult game that proved to be challenging even for avid gamers, so it requires patience. However, thanks to its creative story, stunning visuals, and mysteries it also provides immensely enjoyable gameplay.
1 Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is a strategy JRPG game with beautiful anime aesthetics and is set in modern-day Tokyo. The game centers around Japan’s iconic idol culture, so it has plenty of amazing OSTs. The story follows Itsuki and his friends who are members of an idol talent agency and have to fight against hostile beings from another world.
It’s a really fun and considerably easy game that lets its players learn about modern-day Tokyo and pop culture at the same time. Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore also feels light but fun and has great storytelling, lots of acting, dancing, singing, fast combat, fun characters, and of course, powerful friendships.
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