JPgamer

  • JPgamer: Demon Gaze is an Unabashedly Old-School Dungeon Crawler

    JPgamer: Demon Gaze is an Unabashedly Old-School Dungeon Crawler

    In this week's JPgamer, Pete delves into the strange, wonderful and suspiciously grid-based world of Kadokawa Games' Demon Gaze, coming soon to the West courtesy of NIS America.

  • JPgamer: The Fine Art of the Earworm

    JPgamer: The Fine Art of the Earworm

    One of the most readily apparent ways in which Western and Eastern games differ is the matter of musical soundtracks. We take a look at how they differ, and some favorite examples of music from Japanese games.

  • JPgamer: In Search of Door Number 9

    JPgamer: In Search of Door Number 9

    In this week's JPgamer, Pete delves into his backlog to explore one of the most interesting games on the Nintendo DS: Chunsoft's visual novel-cum-room escape adventure Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors.

  • JPgamer: Producing Perfection

    JPgamer: Producing Perfection

    The latest in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series sees the goddesses trading their swords for microphones. Does it really produce perfection?

  • JPgamer: The Art of Penmanship

    JPgamer: The Art of Penmanship

    Is the perception that video games -- particularly those of Japanese origin -- have "bad writing" a particularly helpful or fair criticism? Pete ponders the matter, and manages to get a mention of Squid Girl in there in the process.

  • JPgamer: Do Not Pursue Lu Bu

    JPgamer: Do Not Pursue Lu Bu

    Omega Force and Koei's tactical action hack-and-slash series Dynasty Warriors has hit Steam in the form of Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition. Pete, a lapsed Dynasty Warriors addict from the PS2 era, checks it out.

  • JPgamer: A First Look at Croixleur Sigma

    JPgamer: A First Look at Croixleur Sigma

    Sporting possibly the least-pronounceable name in video game history, Nyu Media's latest release on Steam, out today, is an enhanced version of a doujin hack-and-slash title. Is it worth your time?

  • JPgamer: From the Folks Who Brought You Steins;Gate: Lovecraft Meets Giant Robots

    JPgamer: From the Folks Who Brought You Steins;Gate: Lovecraft Meets Giant Robots

    The recently localized Steins;Gate may be Nitroplus' most well-known work, but an earlier title from the developer is still a fascinating read for those of you with strong stomachs.

  • JPgamer: Gone in 30 Seconds with Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming

    JPgamer: Gone in 30 Seconds with Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming

    In this week's Japanese gaming column, a look at the sequel to one of the most peculiar RPGs of all time: Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming.

  • JPgamer: First Impressions from Steins;Gate

    JPgamer: First Impressions from Steins;Gate

    Pete's been playing the long-awaited official English localization of Nitroplus' well-regarded, mind-bending visual novel Steins;Gate. Was it worth the wait? El Psy Kongroo.

  • JPgamer: Vote With Your Wallet

    JPgamer: Vote With Your Wallet

    Sega has announced that the follow-up to Project Diva F for PlayStation 3 and Vita is coming to the West later in the year, proving beyond any doubt that if you show your support for something, you'll get more of the things you like.

  • JPgamer: How Gust Made Me a Fan of Crafting

    JPgamer: How Gust Made Me a Fan of Crafting

    In this week's JPgamer, Pete looks at the work of Japanese developer Gust, and explores the company's curious emphasis on crafting.

  • JPgamer: Life and Hometown

    JPgamer: Life and Hometown

    In this week's installment of our weekly Japanese gaming column, Pete takes a look at the controversial Senran Kagura Burst for 3DS. Is there a game worth playing beneath all the fanservice?

  • JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Go! Go! Nippon!

    JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Go! Go! Nippon!

    In the last of our Dating Sim Month posts, Pete checks out Overdrive's interactive travelogue/visual novel/dating sim hybrid Go! Go! Nippon! My First Trip to Japan, a recent release on Steam.

  • JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Kira Kira

    JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Kira Kira

    In the third installment of Dating Sim Month, Pete looks at a coming-of-age visual novel that is full of surprisingly emotional moments -- it's Overdrive's Kira Kira.

  • JPGamer: Dating Sim Month: Magical Diary

    JPGamer: Dating Sim Month: Magical Diary

    It may not be a Japanese game in itself, but Hanako Games' Magical Diary is a great example of not only a traditional dating sim model, but also of "otome games" aimed specifically at female players.

  • JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Aselia the Eternal

    JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Aselia the Eternal

    February! The month of love! What better time to indulge yourself with some virtual romance courtesy of Japan's fine selection of relationship-centric titles? Snuggle up and get cozy -- this week we take a look at visual novel/dating sim/strategy game/RPG hybrid Aselia the Eternal.

  • JPgamer: Bullet Heaven

    JPgamer: Bullet Heaven

    With shmup specialists Cave seemingly pulling out of the West, what better time to have a look back at some of their best work? Three, two, one, go!

  • JPgamer: Games You Thought Would Never Make it West #1

    JPgamer: Games You Thought Would Never Make it West #1

    Although an official announcement is yet to appear, it looks very much like Compile Heart's Monster Monpiece is coming to the West. But what on Earth is this crazy game that some thought we'd never see in English?

  • JPgamer: About the Bravo Bikini...

    JPgamer: About the Bravo Bikini...

    The rather good upcoming JRPG for 3DS Bravely Default has had a few changes for its Western release. But were Nintendo and Square Enix right to make those changes?

  • JPgamer: Victory, After a Hundred Hours

    JPgamer: Victory, After a Hundred Hours

    Some eight months after its original release -- and 112 hours of gameplay later -- Gamindustri is safe once again. Pete shares some final thoughts on Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory.

  • JPgamer: Another Number Nine

    JPgamer: Another Number Nine

    This week on JPgamer, Pete gives some first impressions on 999's follow-up, the 3DS- and Vita-based visual novel-cum-adventure game Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward.

  • JPgamer: 2014 is the Year of the Chibi Spinoff

    JPgamer: 2014 is the Year of the Chibi Spinoff

    Next year, two very different series are getting two very different games... with one very similar art style between them. Behold, chibi Persona and chibi Neptunia. Warning: extreme cuteness ahead.

  • JPgamer: Love for the Fans

    JPgamer: Love for the Fans

    In this week's exploration of Japanese gaming and game culture, we take a look at the phenomenon of games specifically designed to allow fans to engage and interact with their favorite characters and properties like never before.

  • JPgamer: I've Poured Too Many Tears

    JPgamer: I've Poured Too Many Tears

    In this week's roundup of all things Japanese gaming, we take a look at Narcissu, a free indie visual novel hoping to get on Steam, plus Idea Factory International's site launches, there's an Atelier anime on the way, and Sega has a pleasing announcement for Hatsune Miku fans.

  • JPgamer: Deadly Resolution

    JPgamer: Deadly Resolution

    This week on JPgamer, we ask why console-to-PC ports so often suck from a technical perspective, plus news on Ys, Legend of Heroes, trapformer Eryi's Action and not one but two dating sims.

  • JPgamer: A Real Page-Turner

    JPgamer: A Real Page-Turner

    With the Steam release of Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos, the first pure visual novel to hit Valve's platform, we explore this quintessentially Japanese means of interactive storytelling and what gaming at large could learn from it.

  • JPgamer: The Third Wave

    JPgamer: The Third Wave

    This week in our roundup of all things Japanese, we discuss Nyu Media's "third wave" of doujin titles for PC, a great value bundle of Japanese indie games, some new footage from the Atelier Rorona remake, Tales of Smartphones... plus pigeons and ponies.

  • JPgamer: Dragons in Your Pocket

    JPgamer: Dragons in Your Pocket

    This week in our roundup of all things Japanese, we talk the Dragon Quest I-VIII iOS ports and what Idea Factory International are up to, plus news on Drakengard 3, that Dengeki Bunko fighting game and a Kickstarter that may be of interest to dating sim fans.

  • JPgamer: What's Nyu with You?

    JPgamer: What's Nyu with You?

    This week in our roundup of all things Japanese, a spotlight on doujin publisher Nyu Media, plus news from Gust, Compile Heart, Sega and Square Enix -- including a Final Fantasy XIV announcement sure to please long-serving classic JRPG fans.

  • JPgamer: The Next Generation

    JPgamer: The Next Generation

    In this week's round-up of all things Japanese, we ask where all the Japanese next-gen games are, and there's news on Guided Fate Paradox, Idea Factory, Bunny Must Die, "Western JRPG" Septerra Core and a teaser from Treasure.

  • JPgamer: Record of Hatsune Miku War

    JPgamer: Record of Hatsune Miku War

    In our inaugural roundup of all things Japanese gaming, we talk about our Hatsune Miku review, the arrival of Agarest on PC, new details on New Atelier Rorona and the explosive charms of Sweet Fuse. Join the conversation!