Summary
Given the huge hold that gaming has on pop culture in Japan, it’s easy to see why most people would assume that a lot of trends in the gaming industry have been cemented by legendary Japanese companies like Nintendo and Square Enix. However, the inverse is true as well. Western gaming has had just as much of an impact on gaming culture in Japan and around the world.
Some ofthe best Japanese gamesplayers can get their hands on were inspired by the most popular Western RPGs around. These influences were for the best, with players loving how immersive and engaging these video games are.
While Link’s classic adventures were engaging in their own way, some people felt like the series was becoming dated. Nintendo’s response was to implement their unique spin on the open-world genre to make Link’s adventures more epic and immersive than ever before.
Eiji Aonuma, the game’s producer, has gone on record to say that inspiration from games likeSkyrimandThe Witcher 3went a long way in enriching the traversal inBreath of the Wild. As a result, players can always find something in the distance to explore, letting them enjoy the magic of discovery over and over again as Link becomes more powerful.
Dark Soulscame out during a time when most AAA developers were scared to challenge players, striving to make their experiences as accessible as possible. FromSoftware’s breakout success was the antithesis of this approach, forcing players to figure out their path in a hostile world full of aggressive enemies.
It doesn’t take an expert to see that several Western action games played a huge role in dictatingDark Souls' action combat. The focus on difficulty and meaningful punishments for death ensure that this title is tense to experience. Players don’t want to make a single mistake while exploring the wasting kingdom of Lordran.
Before the JRPG genre came into its own, Japanese developers were enraptured byDungeons & Dragonsand the games inspired by this tabletop RPG. It was only a matter of time before someone would design a video game that let players embark on a grand adventure with tactical combat.
Yuji Horii’s work onDragon Questslowly but surely turned him into one of the most important figures in the video game industry. Games likeUltimaandWizardrywent a long way in contributing toDragon Quest’s systems. This game eventually became the first example of what the JRPG genre is all about, and would revolutionize the gaming industry in no time.
Bloodborneis one of the best video games of all time, and many are pining for a re-release or remake of this incredible title. Miyazaki’s magnum opus retains a lot of theDark Soulsformula, which was inspired by several Western RPGs and action games, along with a heaping of dark, gothic vibes.
The lore and story ofBloodborneare in a class of their own. Players are wowed whenits Lovecraftian horror finally rears its ugly head. It’s a must-play game for fans of FromSoftware titles, boasting fast-paced combat and heightened difficulty that makes every boss a joy to defeat, especially if players have been struggling with these foes for a long time.
Final Fantasyis one of the most important JRPGs ever made. This party-based adventure cemented the genre’s popularity, pulled Square from the depths of bankruptcy, and established a long-running series that is still going strong to this day.
It’s clear to see that this title’s grand sense of adventure was inspired by theDungeons & Dragonstrend that was gaining steam in the West at the time. Inflating numbers and damage values to make combat feel more impactful did wonders forFinal Fantasyand helped the hallmarks of the JRPG genre find their footing in this epic start to theFinal Fantasyseries.
Elden Ringis one of FromSoftware’s greatest games, utilizing all the elements that madeDark Soulsgreat and combining it with modern open-world design to make for a tantalizing formula. The Western inspirations are more apparent than ever before. Players love the sandbox approach that made it easy to strengthen the Tarnished in no time.
A lot of what madeBreath of the Wildspecial can be seen in this title, which in itself wasinspired by epic open-world Western RPGs likeSkyrim. Elden Ringowes some of its success to Bethesda’s magnum opus, with its rewarding combat and incredible boss fights elevating the experience to a whole new level.
Dragon’s Dogmais one of the greatest action RPGs fans can get their hands on.Despite being made by a Japanese developer, the Western RPG inspirations in this title are clear as day.
Some of the most notable RPGs are responsible for dictatingDragon’s Dogma’s development. Titles likeSkyrim,Fable, andDragon Agewent a long way in deciding everything from the title’s dark fantasy roots to its open-world design, all of which played a major role in helpingDragon’s Dogmastand out as an incredible action RPG.
Shigeru Miyamoto is one of the most notable video game developersof all time, with his innovative ideas helping theMarioandZeldagames become some of the most iconic franchises of all time. In the latter’s case, this personality named his inspirations that sowed the seeds for a grand adventure.
Titles likeWizardryandUltimapopularized epic top-down adventures that helpedZeldabecome a reality. In the same vein, the first title lets players enjoy a top-down adventure for the ages where they acquire more items and hearts to slowly become stronger before eventually taking out a massive threat hell-bent on dominating the entire world.
