Summary
Exploring a city in a video game can be one of the most satisfying elements while playing, especially when developers have really striven to make it bustling and brimming with life. Games likeSleeping Dogsand its excellent Hong Kong setting or the many real life locations in theAssassin’s Creedseries are full of fun experiences for players to enjoy.
Tokyo and the Greater Tokyo Area, recognized as the most populous metropolitan area in the world, are natural settings for video games. Considering the wealth of developers based in the city and the general fascination people have with it, it’s only natural that some stellar video games have taken place in the Japanese capital.
Set in multiple districts of the capital, including Shibuya and Harajuku,Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encoreisa video game crossoverbetween theMegami TenseiandFire Emblemseries. Playing as high-school students who are involved with a talent agency, players must ally with friendly “Mirages” to defeat the otherworldly hostile Mirages.
Combat takes place in turn-based battles, which will be familiar to fans of the two series, and action occurs in both the real world and the Idolaspheres, alternate dimensions and home of the Mirages. Reviewers found the game somewhat cheesy, but there was still plenty to love, especially the settings, side quests, and character portrayals.
Initiallya Nintendo DS exclusive,The World Ends With Youtakes place in Shibuya. Playing as Neku Sakuraba with his allies who are participating in the Reapers' Game, players must complete missions in the different sections of Shibuya.
As a trendy shopping district in Tokyo, Shibuya has a major impact on certain aspects of the gameplay. Wearing particular fashionable items will grant bonuses to players, while being unfashionable will be a hindrance in certain areas. The battle system was criticized for its steep learning curve, but reviewers across the board absolutely loved the setting.
The long-awaited sequel,Neo: The World Ends with Youis about a group of high-school students playing the so-called “Reaper’s Game” in Shibuya. Unlike the first game, this one is in three dimensions and features an entirely new cast of characters.
Multiple characters can be controlled at once during combat, and character abilities allow for varied gameplay while exploring the city. The stylized but very accurate depiction of the district was heavily praised, and traversing the map is extremely satisfying with the general vibe of Shibuya feeling quite genuine.
Gamers take the role of a high-school student once again inShin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne, which takes place in Tokyo, afteran apocalyptic event filled the city with demons. The silent protagonist must explore the post-apocalyptic capital, now known as the Vortex World, and enter dungeons.
Combat is turn-based, and some demons can actually be recruited to fight on the side of the players. Tokyo will be unrecognizable to anyone familiar with the city, as it has become something of a wasteland, but critics praised the setting and dark tone of the game.
A sequel toYakuzaspin-off,Judgment,Lost Judgmentfocuses on a private detective called Takayuki Yagami. Like theYakuzagames, it takes place in Kamurocho, which is based on the Kabukicho district in Tokyo, plus another location based on a district in Yokohama.
While some may question the JRPG credentials of this game due to the beat ‘em up nature of combat, as opposed to a turn-based approach, it still matches the JRPG genre in many other aspects. Random encounters, zany characters and sometimes outlandish plotlines are all present here, and they are all hallmarks of JRPGs. Exploration in Kamurocho is great, too.
After the success of the first remake,Yakuza Kiwami, along cameYakuza Kiwami 2, refining many aspects of the originalYakuza 2. As with other games in the series, much of the action takes place in Kamurocho, based on Kabukicho and regarded by many as the red-light district of Tokyo.
The city itself seems more lively than in the original game, adding a sense of immersion. Many new features were added, too, including the Cabaret Club, where former yakuza and main protagonist Kazuma Kiryu can go on dinner dates with the hostesses.
Departing from previous games in the series,Yakuza: Like a Dragonis set mostly in Yokohama, but it does still have sections later in the game in Tokyo, and any game in the series without Kamurocho just would not feel complete. This time, the player is not in control of Kazuma, but rather Ichiban Kasuga.
Another big change from previous entries is thatcombat is turn-basedhere. Nearby objects on the city streets can be used offensively during battles, and the cities are full of things to do when not on a mission, such as karaoke or kart racing.
A direct sequel toYakuza: Like a Dragon,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthis the first entry in the series to head overseas. Once again controlling Ichiban Kasuga and Kazuma Kiryu, players spend most of their time in Yokohama and Hawaii, but fan favorite locale Kamurocho must still be visited.
The turn-based combat is much more refined and engaging than in the previous entry, and there are plenty of activities to do in the different locations, as usual.Some familiar activities like karaokeand playing arcade games return, and Kazuma has side quests reliving his past and completing unfinished business.
An updated and upgraded version ofShin Megami Tensei 5,Shin Megami Tensei 5: Vengeanceis split between two locations.The silent protagonist, a high-school student, is living in modern Tokyo, but early in the game discovers that it is an artificial creation and that the real Tokyo is a post-apocalyptic wasteland known as the Da’at.
While there is not too much to do in the fake Tokyo outside the main quests, players can freely explore the Da’at, which has plenty of interesting areas, especially for those who love dystopic landscapes. There are plenty of roaming demons to battle and treasures waiting to be found.
Persona 5was already regarded by many asone of the greatest games of all time, so the enhanced version,Persona 5 Royal, is even better. The story occurs over the course of a year, following a high-school student in modern Tokyo and a supernatural realm known as the Metaverse.
When outside of school and dungeon crawling, players can explore real locations in Tokyo, pursuing part-time jobs or leisure activities. While the gorgeous art-style and engaging narrative already make this one of the best games ever, the authentic setting is also really enchanting.
