Good japanese game suggestions?

[Ginpatsu]

Not trying to be biased but I have to say most of my time, money and effort on games goes towards the Japanese kind. I have very little interest in gaming otherwise. Between me and my roommate, we have the PS2 (PS1 but unlikely to get more PS1 games), Wii (GameCube), DS and PSP. I favor RPGs and strategy types but I'll try anything that catch my interest. And maybe this list will help others who're looking for new games to try out.

What I've played and liked for the most part:

-Star Ocean (3): Till the End of Time - Awesome game!
-Tales of the Abyss / Tales of Symphonia
-Persona 3
-Suikoden II/III
-TWEWY (The World Ends With You)
-FFIII/VI/VII/VIICC/X/X-2/Tactics (Started VIII and XII at one point but didn't really get far. Tactics was great. Tactics Advanced, not so much.)
-KH/KHII
-Magna Carta: Tears of Blood
-Grandia II/III
-DragonQuest VIII
-Chrono Trigger (SNES version. Wasn't my favorite enough to play again on the DS)
-Disgaea (the first one) - looking for later games
-Dragoneer's Aria
-.Hack//Infection - looking for later games

Waiting on price drops on a couple of games like SO4, Pokemon Platinum, Persona 4
I'm not a big fan of the Mana games, Valkyrie Profile, Suikoden Tactics or that one Fire Emblem game on the Wii.

Looking out for, for the most part:
-Okami
-Pheonix Wright series
-Other Tales games
-Other Suikoden games
-Xenogears/saga
-Other Nippon-Ichi / NIS games

That's all I can remember so far. Will edit when required.

Any suggestions would be cool. Thanks. ^^

[Dessa]

Just looking for clarification, are you looking for games -in- Japanese, or just games that -originated- in Japan? 'Cuz there's a lot of good games that have never came out over here.

[Ceci-chan]

^Same. Are you wanting suggestions for games in Japanese, or games that are licensed in English that came from Japan?

One of my friends plays the Fate/Stay Night games, and he said they were really good, though to play a Fate/Stay game for the PS2, he had to buy one that would read the Japanese disc. But, the Fate/Stay games are worth checking out. :3

[Ginpatsu]

I meant games in English that originated from Japan. As much as I've love to, I don't have nearly enough knowledge to navigate through something in that foreign a language. ^^;

[Ceci-chan]

I recommend Okami for Wii or PS2. You play as the sun god Amaterasu incarnated as a white wolf, and your goal is to rid the land of evil and regain celestial powers through brush techniques. It's an awesome game, and totally worth the time to play. I've put 40-something hours into the game so far, but the length doesn't distract from the game's qualities. It has amazing artwork, done in the style of Japanese traditional ink paintings and woodblock prints, and a large character cast, plus it mixes in Japanese myth here and there. The Wii version of Okami came out back in early 2008, I think.

[Taliesin]

They're not RPG's but I highly recommend both Ico and its prequel, Shadow of the Colossus. Both are beautiful, deep, and emotionally compelling games (in my humble opinion, at least). They're kind of action/puzzle games; in Ico, you're trapped in a castle which is itself a giant puzzle, and must guide a mysterious girl through the maze while protecting her from the shadow creatures trying to take her away. In SotC, you must basically fight a series of giant creatures that range from ten to a hundred feet tall (or more), and the puzzle is figuring out where their weaknesses are and how to reach them without getting smushed like a mosquito in the process. I'm simplifying of course because I don't want to give too much away...

If you can get your hands on them, try both Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and its sequel, Lunar: Eternal Blue Complete for PS1. If you liked Chrono Trigger I'm pretty sure you'll like these ones too; great RPGs with great stories and memorable characters. They're older games that were originally for the Sega CD but were re-vamped for the Playstation. Finding them isn't really the issue, as there are always at least a few copies up for grabs on eBay, but they're expensive-- the complete game, with all the accessories they came with (they included a bunch of extra collectibles along with the games) will normally run at least $50 but can easily get to $150, sometimes more.

[Ginpatsu]

Oh yeah, meant to get Okami one of these days.

xD I actually do have Shadow of the Colossus, just haven't gotten around to playing it yet. Never heard of Ico but if I like SoC, I'll keep an eye out for it. As for Lunar.. I don't know which one (or if it was even one in the Lunar series) but I tried a game for the DS and didn't like it. I doubt I'll get PS1 games now though, especially since I don't have the habit of buying games online.

Thanks for the suggestions. Any other ones?

[Lady Shinsei]

If you wouldn't mind trying out an intense fighting game for the Wii, then I highly recommend getting your hands on "Bleach: Shattered Blade". Got the game earlier this week and have been amazed by all the awesomeness that it contains (tons of characters - check; tons of fun unlockable content - check; smexy new Arrancar in the game named Arturo...ohhh yeah). I gotta warn you (and anyone else who plays this game) - it can give you a massive workout and quite possibley make your fingers/arms real sore... (after all, you're using the WiiRemote as your Zanpaku-to)

Other games I definitely recommend =

ANYTHING from Nippon-Ichi

ANY of the old Dragon Quest games (which have been released on DS now)

Lunar Knights (awesome DS sequel of sorts to the "Boktai" games)

[Ceci-chan]

Two words: Phoenix Wright.

The Phoenix Wright games in the Ace Attorney series are super fun to play, and they're highly addictive! Apollo Justice was okay, but the Phoenix Wright series (Ace Attorney, Justice For All, & Trials and Tribulations) are good games to play. They have casts of rather interesting characters with "punny" names, and the cases in each game are scaled by difficulty, the first case being the easiest and the last case being the hardest. There's a new Ace Attorney game coming out in Japan (though it might be out already) called Miles Edgeworth: Perfect Prosecutor, and the promos for it look like it's going to be a fun game~ <3

[Lady Shinsei]

There was an awesome article on that game in the June issue of Nintendo Power.

The official title of the game is "Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth".

With a name like that, it makes me hopeful that more games like this will come into existence with other characters as the mains (hope-hope for one involving Kristoph or Franziska).

So far, I'd say it looks rather clever and amusing. Fun new style, too. Reminds me of the awesome old "Point & Click" rpgs on the computer (King's Quest, Monkey Island, etc.)

[Taliesin]

xD I actually do have Shadow of the Colossus, just haven't gotten around to playing it yet. Never heard of Ico but if I like SoC, I'll keep an eye out for it. As for Lunar.. I don't know which one (or if it was even one in the Lunar series) but I tried a game for the DS and didn't like it. I doubt I'll get PS1 games now though, especially since I don't have the habit of buying games online.

If the one you tried on the DS was Lunar: Dragon Song, it's understandable that you didn't like it. I've never played it myself but it was given lousy reviews almost universally, even by people who are big fans of the series (which is why I never bothered playing it ). So don't let that turn you off from trying the original two Lunar games, if you ever get the opportunity to do so.

Hope you like Shadow of the Colossus, it's one of my favorites! Ico came out first, and SotC is an indirect prequel... it takes place in the same world, but a long, long time before Ico. Doesn't really matter which order you play them in since they're only loosely linked together.

[Ginpatsu]

Lady Shinsei: I do actually have that Bleach game. Honestly, it was one of the reasons I got the Wii. (Other reasons due to PS3 costs too high back when I got it and Zelda: Twilight Princess but I'm not nearly as interested in it as I thought I'd be. I liked the one for the DS better but not too big a fan of the Zelda games, apparently.) I agree, the Bleach game is pretty good. Good for eye-candy if nothing else. As well as that Naruto one. XD

Nippon-Ichi? I've heard of that name but I'm not familiar with which companies make what kind of games so you'll either have to provide some examples or I'll have to do some research. So far.. I've only paid enough attention to two companies and that's Namco for Tales and Square-Enix for SO3 and FF games. xD DS DragonQuests I'll probably check them out. Lunar Knights.. I'm guessing is a different game than Taliesin's Lunar games?

Ceci-chan: XD Thanks for reminding me about games that I've been wanting to get. Haven't gotten Pheonix Wright mostly 'cause I'm not interested in lawyer stuff but I've been hearing it's well worth it so that series is also on my shopping list.

Taliesin: Notes taken on that. I should be able to start playing SotC sometime this week. Btw, around when did Ico come out?

[Lady Shinsei]

LOL... And you said that you have Disgaea. "Nippon-Ichi Software", also known as NIS, are the creators of Disgaea, Phantom Brave, and loads of other crazy anime-licious games (a big chunk of which happen to be Strategy-RPGs).

Lunar Knights is from the creator of the gameboy game "Boktai: The Sun Is In Your Hands" (and its sequel; only games in existence right now that use actual sunlight with a cool sensor on the game pak to do interesting things in the game). LK, unlike its predecessors, does not use sunlight but does something else just as interesting via the DS screens.

[Taliesin]

Ico was released in 2001 (good grief that's a long time ago, seems like only a little while... time flies, I guess.)

[Ceci-chan]

There was an awesome article on that game in the June issue of Nintendo Power.

The official title of the game is "Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth".

With a name like that, it makes me hopeful that more games like this will come into existence with other characters as the mains (hope-hope for one involving Kristoph or Franziska).

So far, I'd say it looks rather clever and amusing. Fun new style, too. Reminds me of the awesome old "Point & Click" rpgs on the computer (King's Quest, Monkey Island, etc.)

Sweet! I'll keep an eye out for it.

Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon is pretty good, though it's basically like playing the GBA Fire Emblem on a Nintendo DS. I play it solely for Prince Marth. :3

Since you like TWEWY, I though I'd throw a Square Enix title into the mix. : D Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume for Nintendo DS has gorgeous cut scenes, and it's a pretty good tactical RPG so far. It's totally worth the purchase (though at the time the guy at Gamestop was trying to convince me to buy Dragon Quest V instead), and it's fun to play. :3

[guitarhero32]

If you really liked Disgaea then there's always 2 and 3, and there's also 1 for the PSP and DS, I think the DS version has an extra playable character (Plenair). Disgaea for the PSP has both 1 and 2 on it.

hmm...

Ar Tonelico
GrimGrimoire (I want to get this one)
http://nisamerica.com/games.htm (here's the website so I'm not just listing off lots of games)

A game that hasn't come to the US yet is Battle Stadium D.O.N, basically it's the smash brothers fighting system with D (dragon ball Z) O (One Piece) and N (Naruto) characters. I've seen it but haven't gotten to play it yet.

I recommend one game for the PS, Top Shop, if you can find it, get it, it's a lot of fun.

[Dessa]

Sorry for taking so long to get to this...

Here's games in my collection you might like:

PS2 - .hack (original set) <- My boyfriend loves the GU games, but I haven't gotten to them yet, personally. However, the original games are still a good series.
PS1 - Chrono Cross <- Regardless of peoples' opinions, it is still a good game, somewhat tied into Chrono Trigger but primarily it's own story, with an interesting battle system. I prefer it over Trigger solely for the battle system.
PS2 - La Pucelle Tactics <- While it was released second in the US, this is actually the precursor to Disgaea. It lacks the "throw" command (trust me, that's a good thing... throw would break the game), but otherwise is primarily the same game system. And it has an awesome kitty-mage.
PS2 - Rogue Galaxy <- The game's story is a bit clichéd (and they borrow from anything and everything they can), and the battle system isn't necessarily anything new, but the way everything gets combined makes it a really fun game to play. I'm actually in the middle of it right now, myself.
PSP - Star Ocean: First Departure <- The original Star Ocean game remade. I'm not that far in the PSP remake, but I loved the original SNES version. Of course, the fact that my favorite character Joshua (I think it's translated as Ioshua in the PSP port) has half of his story missing in the original (he's actually an optional character), and that it was put into the PSP version is great.
PS1 - Star Ocean: The Second Story <- Harder to find (*hides her two copies*), but this was the first SO game to come out in the US. There -is- a PSP remake (entitled Second Evolution), but the fact that characters -named- Gyoro and Ururun (in the Japanese -and- US PS1 versions, -and- the Japanese and US anime) had their names changed to "Weepy" and "Creepy" turns me off from the remake. I'll stick with my PS1 version.
PS1/PSP - Suikoden <- It doesn't have multiple runes per person available like II and III had, but Suikoden was still the original game in the series, and it sets up a lot of stuff for II. You've played II, you'll recognize a lot of faces, and if you go and re-play II afterward with your save-data from I (provided you're playing the PS1 version of Suikoden), you can even recruit the MC of Suikoden. It's really hard to find, but you -can- download it for the PSP over the Playstation Network for only $6, which is a really good price (in Japan, there's a PSP port entitled Suikoden I & II, I don't know if that means they'll eventually put Suikoden II on the Playstation Network as well).
PS2 - Suikoden Tactics <- Entitled "Rhapsodia" in Japanese, Tactics is actually a strategy-RPG based in the Suikoden world, that takes place slightly prior to, and primarily after Suikoden IV. You notice Suikoden IV is not on this list? There's a reason for that. You'll miss part of the story (since Tactics explains what IV didn't), but not so much that you can't understand what's going on and still enjoy it.
PS2 - Suikoden V <- You've got the skill system from III (improved, of course), the high quality story from II, the characterization from III, and a Real-Time Strategy Game army battle system. What is not to love about Suikoden V?
DS - Suikoden Tierkreis <- First DS entry in the series, it's a big departure from the other games. The Runes are gone, as is the more D&D-style "spells per day", but it doesn't take place in "the" Suikoden world, it takes place in [an] other world[s] within the Million-Worlds. I'm actually stuck in it, since I've misplaced my DS, but it seems to have more connection to the overall story than the main Suikoden games (with the exception of III).
PS1/PSP - Tales of Eternia (Tales of Destiny II) <- I'm playing this one right now on my PSP, and it's awesome. The game's Japanese (PS1/PSP) and European (PSP) releases are called Tales of Eternia, but the US PS1 release is called Tales of Destiny II. The only PS1 copy I've seen of Destiny II is my boyfriend's copy, but we picked up the European PSP release (direct port of the US PS1 version) on Ebay. It was the third game made in the "Tales of" franchise.
GBA - Tales of Phantasia <- If you have a DS or a DSlite (not the DSi), you can still play this one. It was the original "Tales of" game, preceding all of the other games in the series. It, like Destiny, Eternia, Destiny II (JPN), Legendia, and Rebirth, is a 2D game, unlike Abyss, Symphonia, and Vesperia, which are 3D. However, don't let this turn you away, even though NamDai doesn't like releasing the 2D games over here. Also, Symphonia is actually a prequel to Phantasia, so you'll recognize some things in Phantasia.
PS1/PSP - Valkyrie Profile [Lenneth] <- PSP remake is entitled VP: Lenneth; either are really good games. Multiple 'paths' you can take to get 3 distinct endings, plus tons of bonus stuff, as well as an optional hard mode that lets you recruit even more characters. It's also got a really neat battle system that's not the same as other games.
PS2 - Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria <- Silmeria was briefly mentioned in the first game, VP2 goes back quite a ways to tell her story. The game has changed from 2D to 3D, and I'm still trying to get the hang of the modified battle system, but it's another great game. And, if you get a chance to play the first game first, there's -quite- a bit you'll understand in VP2, even if it is technically a prequel.
PS1 - Xenogears <- This is me, should this one and the next come as any surprise? 'Gears is a great game, for all that it was screwed over by FFVIII (don't ask, I'm very bitter). Disc 2 can be a chore to get through, but the game is truly amazing. Given that Suikoden is there, I'm actually surprised that Xenogears isn't on the Playstation Network, given that it got a Greatest Hits rerelease, and Suikoden didn't.
PS2 - Xenosaga <- Episode I and Episode II are actually fairly easy to find for dirt cheap at GameStop, but III is by far the best game in the series. Yes, there are many cutscenes (for everyone who complains about the games being "playing a movie", I don't get how they can say that, when there's just as many cutscenes at the beginning of other games... At least 'Saga has save points during these periods), but it's an awesome game series. If you -really- don't wanna play I and II, III -does- give you recaps of what happened in the database, but it's not the same as playing it yourself. Although beware, all three games have at least partially different casts, it can be jarring.

[Ginpatsu]

( Argh. I wrote half of this reply when it magically erased everything. Short..er version below. )

Disgaea/Nippon-Ichi/NIS: I didn't like the storyline enough to continue too far into it but I remember really liking the gameplay. (And the fact that their ninjas looks so similar to Kakashi. xD) I'll keep an eye out for the other games. And other Nippon-Ichi../NIS games. (I'm surprised to find Dragoneer's Aria on that site. Are they by the same company?) Unfortunately, I think I haven't tried out some of the ones on there that I've seen because they have that typical "eyes the size of dinner plates" look to them which I can't stand that much. But I figure I can always give them a try.

Taliesin: That is a while ago but I'm a believer in games being timeless (as long as at least the graphic is passable first) xD

Ceci-chan: The only FE I've played is the one for the Wii. If the other games have the same/similar gameplay, I have to say I'll pass. I've played Valkyrie Profile for the PSP and watched a friend play the one for the PS3 and I have to say I didn't quite enjoy either so I highly doubt I'll get more from the series.

guitarhero: Top Shop, hm? Looks interesting.

Dessa: Whoa. You have my respect on your patience and report writing abilities. x3 Here goes.
- .Hack. I've played .Hack//Infection and only that one (so far) I believe that's the first game I've play that's not typical turn based and quite literally my first and only MMORPG without it being a real MMORPG. XD; I do believe I wanted to get more of the original series. Not sure what happened to that plan but now it's back on the list to get.
- Chrono Cross.. I don't remember playing it but I remember only liking Trigger out of the two for some reason or another. It doesn't look bad so if I ever find it, I'll be sure to get it.
- La Pucelle Tactics - Really? I liked the "throw" ability. Consider it being looked for.
- Rogue Galaxy - I think the boxart turned my away before but I'll take a closer look if I see it again.
- the two Star Oceans: For some reason, I have little to no interest in games in the same series but unrelated but I'll give those a try. (And name changing doesn't surprise me that much anymore. After all, "Souffle" in SO3 did get changed to "Peppita"..)
- Suikoden - Argh. I do want to find the first game since I did enjoy Suikoden II to its fullest but now, a good handful of years later, I don't think I can sit through the graphics for older games like that. But if the price of obtaining a version of it to play doesn't break the bank, I'll definitely get it. I shall look into the downloading option.
- Suikoden Tactics - Tried it. Quit about 5 minutes into it.
- SuikoV - Haven't been able to find one in stores yet. I did just get IV today though. XD I know it doesn't have nearly as much hype around it as V but hopefully (and it shouldn't be) a letdown, right?
- Suikoden Tierkreis - A friend of a friend of mine says it's good. I haven't seen a copy of it in stores myself. I'll try it if I ever see it.
- Tales of Eternia - I swear I regret not getting it that one time I saw it before I got into the Tales series and never seen it again since. ><' Hopefully it'll surface again somewhere.
- Tales of Phantasia - Is that one in English? (Just did a lookup for it. Found Chester. Now I know who crystalaramis cosplayed as. xD)
- Valkyrie Profile (especially the one for PSP) - No.
- Xenogears/saga - I've had that suggestion thrown at me before (in my face too) but guess it didn't sink in enough. Maybe I should just look online for them.. hm.

[Lady Shinsei]

Hey, if I could trust that you'd take super good care of it, maybe I could let you borrow my copy of Xenogears to have fun experiencing (btw, there's a cameo of Lucca from Chrono Trigger in the beginning of it - she explains about saving, etc.). I've sadly been unable to play it (and all my other PlayStation games) due to losing an important cable to my PSone. Hoping to get myself a used PS2 (and I've wanted one sooo badly), but haven't had much luck since my finances are in the toilet. *sigh*

Oh, and if you'd be interested, I've also got "Wild Arms 1" and "Wild Arms 2" - both of which have pretty awesome storylines, gameplay, and also anime cut-scenes. <3 <3 <3

[Ginpatsu]

It'd be awesome if you'd lend me your games, Lady Shinsei. =D I've heard of the Wild Arms games since before.. 4? (the last one that came out) but heard 4 wasn't as good as the previous ones so I am really psyched if I get to play 1 or 2. Good luck on getting a PS2. Their price just dropped too.

Lady Shinsei and everyone else from around the area, anyone up for trading games? XD I have waaay too many games and not much time to play.

[An-Mochi]

I may be a touch biased as it is my personal favorite game series, but I reccomend MOTHER. The three games are for the Famicom, SNES, and GBA. I think MOTHER3 can be played on a DS but I'm not sure how, I don't know much about DSes.

Happy gaming,

An-Mochi