Which is do you prefer japanese games or american games?

[Richter Belmount]

I would venture a guess that it's not so much a matter of "new versus old" as it is a matter of "Japanese versus Western." For the first time since the Atari 2600, there is an American game system that is a major player in the industry. The biggest games don't have to be localizations from Japan anymore -- some of the biggest hits in the US have been domestic games like Gears of War, Halo, and GTA. Western games tend to be very different from Japanese games -- more focused on realism, freedom, fast-paced action, and violence. Japanese games tend to be more stylized, more leisurely paced, and they don't take themselves too seriously. The Japanese have this weird philosophy that "games are fun." Western games are too self-important and serious for my tastes.

(topic changed from modern gaming vs. traditional gaming , since goemon articulated the subject better.)

[pragmatic insanester]

i disagree with your genre specs. a modern game striving for life-likeness should have a good story, plot, dialogue, etc. they usually don't, but its fault on the creater and not the genre.

what i'd rather have is an "interactive movie" like Metal Gear, Silent Hill, etc. than a retro mini-game or something traditional that doesn't take itself serious. like, Mario Party or these lousy platformers (1993 is over, people!). with that said, there are a few throwback game types i'm not bored of. shooters and beat 'em ups are classic designs that should continue to exist as long as the styles are relatively fresh.

in a nutshell, what's i'm saying is that games shouldn't have to be "games", since the production values and technology abilities have grown so much. its kind of hard to enjoy bouncing off a generic enemy's head these days when you could be caught up in an international war or delving deep into the madness of your character's mind. etc, etc. but i'll always purchase the simple beat 'em ups to keep the genre alive.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I'm certainly one that likes the modern games with the classic feel to them. For example: I loved Metroid Prime but, I dislike console FPS in general. The classic Metroid elements made that game what it is. The emphasis on exploration was nice too. It really stood out vs other fare.

I guess that places me in the Japanese prefered group. Western games like GTA, FPS and such literally bore me. Most the Western games I'd like to play are pay to play... Live!, WoW and others. I just can't go that route. I say, "Eat Capitolism". I do have some personal favorite games that are made here in the West but they are few vs.

[chrisbid]

i like playing games in short bursts of 30 minutes or less. old arcade/twitch style games usually fit the bill. i can get into a long modern game if it is extremely engrossing, but i just do not have the time to play games like that on a regular basis. i guess my definition of traditional game doesnt match yours.

[shoes23]

i disagree with your genre specs. a modern game striving for life-likeness should have a good story, plot, dialogue, etc. they usually don't, but its fault on the creater and not the genre.



Yeah I agree with the statement above as well. Story and plot have managed to find their way into every modern game we play nowadays. Hell, even some sports titles are striving for some kind a story (Blitz: The League for example). Classic games generally have very little background information behind them, sometimes just a simple paragraph in the instruction manual explaining the background (which often times is so off the wall it makes me laugh out loud).

[diskoboy]

i like playing games in short bursts of 30 minutes or less. old arcade/twitch style games usually fit the bill. i can get into a long modern game if it is extremely engrossing, but i just do not have the time to play games like that on a regular basis. i guess my definition of traditional game doesnt match yours.
I fall in this catagory, too.

My rarely find myself playing a game for more than 30 minutes at a time. I guess thats either the ADD talking, or the fact I grew up during the arcade boom of the early 80's. When games usually lasted about 5-15 minutes - depending on how good you were.

[stonecutter]

I think this would make a good Poll, can it be done now?

[goemon]

I would venture a guess that it's not so much a matter of "new versus old" as it is a matter of "Japanese versus Western." For the first time since the Atari 2600, there is an American game system that is a major player in the industry. The biggest games don't have to be localizations from Japan anymore -- some of the biggest hits in the US have been domestic games like Gears of War, Halo, and GTA. Western games tend to be very different from Japanese games -- more focused on realism, freedom, fast-paced action, and violence. Japanese games tend to be more stylized, more leisurely paced, and they don't take themselves too seriously. The Japanese have this weird philosophy that "games are fun." Western games are too self-important and serious for my tastes.

[Snapple]

This question hurts my brain. Modern and traditional are not opposites. It's like saying, "Which kind of balloons do you prefer, round ones or blue ones?"

And if anything, deep plot and complex puzzles are a modern thing. I don't remember Mario Bros. having any of that stuff.

[Richter Belmount]

This question hurts my brain. Modern and traditional are not opposites. It's like saying, "Which kind of balloons do you prefer, round ones or blue ones?"

And if anything, deep plot and complex puzzles are a modern thing. I don't remember Mario Bros. having any of that stuff.

I should have a better definitions i guess. I like goemons definitions im editing the topic to that.

[goemon]

Well, I think my opinion should be obvious. I only own two western games in my Playstation collection -- Darkseed and Mortal Kombat II. Darkseed's only saving grace is H.R. Giger's illustrative talent, and Mortal Kombat II is a rarity I got for cheap.

I'm not saying that American and European games are objectively "bad," but the fact is that I can't stand dull colors, trinket collection, wandering around aimlessly, or getting vertigo from aiming my weapon in a cookie-cutter FPS.

[j_factor]

I don't know if new vs. old should be equated to Japanese vs. Western. I think I slightly prefer Western games for the classics, and Japanese for modern games. Goemon's characterization of Western games sounds uniquely modern.

Perhaps the question should be, "which do you prefer, modern Japanese games or modern American games?" Maybe the question should already be interpreted as that, since this is Modern Gaming, but this topic was originally about new versus old.

[Kamisama]

modern / classic ... I prefer japanese games. I dont mind trying out everything else but all of my favorite games are japanese ones. There are so many differences..

[djsquarewave]

Comparing Japanese and American games, I have to make a quick mention to European ones as well. It seems to be that at least until around the turn of the century, American games focused on ideas, European games focused on graphics, and Japanese games focused on technical polish. This means that you can usually tell the origin of an 8- or 16-bit game just by playing it for a few minutes. Many western-made games may look more interesting, but more often than not they'll play rather clunky. There are exceptions (Earthworm Jim comes to mind for some reason) but a good majority end up here.

I prefer the technical polish found in many Japanese games, though that seems to have fallen out of regularity in recent years. We've got westen teams adept at aping Japanese style (WayForward) and outshining Japanese studios in both design and execution. Meanwhile, Japanese games are increasingly falling victim to animu ridiculousness (Final Fantasy, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc...), sequelitis on par with or perhaps surpassing American publishers, and blandness of all forms (Dynasty Warriors). There seems to be no room left for the unique designs once revered.

I'm sort of typing aimlessly with this. Perhaps modern game development just isn't particularly friendly with Japanese development techniques. There's nice exceptions, particularly from Capcom, but a lot of Japanese games nowadays just aren't worth a damn.

[Hwj_Chim]

I mostly play 2D fighters so Japan all the way\\^_^/

[hbkprm]

eastern games have style and class
much of the eastern games live up to that hype

[Promophile]

I think that people bemoaning the fact that JP games aren't of the same quality they used to be should realize we're getting FAR more JP games than we used to.

Look at RPGs. In the 8-bit and 16-bit days, it was a genre that went under the mainstream radar. Because of this, companies would only localize the cream of the crop, knowing it was their only chance to make a profit. Today, we get a much higher percentage of J-RPGs translated, because it's an established, although somewhat niche, market. The gems are still out there, but so is alot of crap.

[Chris]

Japanese games are increasingly falling victim to animu ridiculousness (Final Fantasy, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc...), sequelitis on par with or perhaps surpassing American publishers, and blandness of all forms (Dynasty Warriors). There seems to be no room left for the unique designs once revered.

Ever played some Simple Series games? I think that the most unique gaming experiences are still coming out of japan (regarding the commercial console market of course, if we're also counting the indie development scene that's blooming on the PC, than things would look different).



There's nice exceptions, particularly from Capcom, but a lot of Japanese games nowadays just aren't worth a damn.

That might be true, but that wasn't any different back then. Like Promophile said, in each generation, you'll always have a myriad of worthless titles and a few gems.
You just have to look around a bit for the interesting and unique titles, come on, it's not that hard.

[Gentlegamer]

After playing a string of Western-made games (all on Xbox: Halo, Halo 2, Morrowind, Crimson Skies, Fable) . . . I'm feeling like I DO prefer American/Western designed games. There are certain sensibilities that they just "get right" that appeal to me. For example, after playing Morrowind, I don't think I can ever go back to playing the Japanese linear style RPG. I think the story and voice acting in Crimson Skies would have been impossible if it had been merely an American localization of a Japanese game (though the gameplay could have been). I feel like I can detect certain little touches that bring it all home in a way I find appealing.

[TurboGenesis]

I tend to lean more toward Japanese style design of games. Most western games are of the Grand Theft Automobiles / FPS kind. I do not like FPS and I can only enjoy the GTA game style so much for so long.

I am really enjoy Japan style RPG's over western style this is for sure. Most unfortunate that western games are not appeal to me as I am in western nation and of western culture.

[djsquarewave]

That might be true, but that wasn't any different back then. Like Promophile said, in each generation, you'll always have a myriad of worthless titles and a few gems.
You just have to look around a bit for the interesting and unique titles, come on, it's not that hard.
Oh, absolutely. It's just that in years past even the worthless games often had unique things about them. I read a thread elsewhere a few days ago talking about how the Home Alone games were actually interestingly-executed platformers. There's no longer any safety in experimentalism.

The Simple series is an interesting case, but the fact that they're primarily made by Tamsoft sort of negates the idea that it's a creative outlet.

[PentiumMMX]

I personally prefer Japanese games, because most American games are just GTA clones and sports games.

[tom]

I prefer USA games, more professional programmed, more variety and they do PC games, Japan doesn't even do PC games.

Japan games all look a bit samey, and their RPG all (mostly) suck. Although Japan games are often more 'funny'.

[Promophile]

I find that there are some good American gems, but for the most part I like EU and JP developed games. As others have said, American developers are obsessed with Sports, GTA clones, and worst of all, FPS (Especially World War 2 games, with about 300 of them coming out every year). JP games tend to be more "far out", which I enjoy.

[Chris]

Oh, absolutely. It's just that in years past even the worthless games often had unique things about them. I read a thread elsewhere a few days ago talking about how the Home Alone games were actually interestingly-executed platformers. There's no longer any safety in experimentalism.

Yeah, I agree, but I'd still say that there's more experimentalism in Japan's commercial videogame market, than everywhere else. Just look at titles like Stretch Panic, Chulip, Robot Alchemic Drive or Raw Danger. Hell, even the big japanese developers like Nintendo (Cubivore, Doshin the Giant), Sony (Ico, SotC) and Sega (Rez) stray from the norm from time to time.

But yeah, most of those games are commercial flops, which would be devestating for smaller developers, seeing the current development costs.
And that's exactly where things like the The Simple 2000 series comes in handy, cause it delivers a "safety area" in which developers are able to experiment with crazy shit, without the fear of sleeping under the bridge if it doesn't quite work out.



The Simple series is an interesting case, but the fact that they're primarily made by Tamsoft sort of negates the idea that it's a creative outlet.

Tamsoft is a plague.. it's really quite unfortunate that they've developed nearly one third of all the Simple 2000 games, but even they can be creative sometimes (The Daibijin), even if that doesn't save most of their games at the end ^_-

[diskoboy]

I don't care where it's from, as long as it plays well.

The only thing from Japan I don't like are RPG's. But then again, I don't like American ones, either...

[djsquarewave]

Yeah, I agree, but I'd still say that there's more experimentalism in Japan's commercial videogame market, than everywhere else. Just look at titles like Stretch Panic, Chulip, Robot Alchemic Drive or Raw Danger. Hell, even the big japanese developers like Nintendo (Cubivore, Doshin the Giant), Sony (Ico, SotC) and Sega (Rez) stray from the norm from time to time.
True, and I was actually thinking of several of these titles while writing my reply above. It's still one hell of a contrast compared to, say, the Famicom days, where just about ever publisher was cranking out weird games. Games like these are notable exceptions.

But yeah, most of those games are commercial flops, which would be devestating for smaller developers, seeing the current development costs.
And that's exactly where things like the The Simple 2000 series comes in handy, cause it delivers a "safety area" in which developers are able to experiment with crazy shit, without the fear of sleeping under the bridge if it doesn't quite work out.
I maintain that this is why Irem continually publishes pachinko games featuring girls in bikinis. The money they make off that allows them to fund stuff like R-Type Final and Disaster Report even if they're complete commercial failures. Somewhat ironically, both of these games went "greatest hits" in Japan.

I do believe that not a single Simple 2000 game has been released in the US yet. There's a single one scheduled (Adventures of Darwin), but that's it. Compared with the flood of RPGs and anime tie-ins we've been getting here in recent years, I think it's safe to say that the remaining experimentalism in Japan is hardly embraced here.

[Chris]

I think it's safe to say that the remaining experimentalism in Japan is hardly embraced here.

That's a shame really, but only in the US, seeing as nearly every noteworthy Simple entry is released in Europe.
The PS2 is kinda unique in that it isn't exactly the norm for a US gamer to import PAL games, but when you have a soft spot for wacky japanese titles, you'd miss out otherwise.

[Cryomancer]

Apparently a second Simple 2000 game is finally coming to the US, under the title "The Adventures of Darwin". Gamestop site says it's out tomorrow (and oddly enough, it's already hit the internet). 15 bucks for a pikmin clone by a great company, might have to consider picking it up just to support them.

I hope this is a sign of more to come.

edit: People don't like tamsoft? their stuff is hilarious. Sure they make 5 sequels to the games but hell, sometimes that can be a good thing. maybe they should develop for PC...

[djsquarewave]

Apparently a second Simple 2000 game is finally coming to the US, under the title "The Adventures of Darwin". Gamestop site says it's out tomorrow (and oddly enough, it's already hit the internet). 15 bucks for a pikmin clone by a great company, might have to consider picking it up just to support them.

I hope this is a sign of more to come.

edit: People don't like tamsoft? their stuff is hilarious. Sure they make 5 sequels to the games but hell, sometimes that can be a good thing. maybe they should develop for PC...
Second? What was the first one?

Tamsoft sticks pointless bikini girls in every game they make. Except for Block Kuzushi 2, which may be the most awesome game they've ever made. They do get props for kicking off the Choro Q franchise, though.

[leicamaster]

Well I hate the Xbox 360 and its games so I think that means im going for Japanese Games!!!

[Griking]

I like both but all of my favorite games have all been American made.

The thing about Japanese games that annoys me is that you really can't tell the guys from the girls in a lot of games.

[Poofta!]

i guess i always leaned towards western games... i always preffered fallout/TES/D&D games to JRPGs, always liked MK (3 and below) to Street Figthers, Forza over anything japanese, GTA to katamari etc. thats not to say that the japanese games are bad, heavens no, i just find myself playing mostly western games than japanese. althought it could be just my favorites ganres... CRPGs, FPSs, Racing etc.

[Chris]

Second? What was the first one?
Simple 2000 Series Vol.3 The Bass Fishing has been released in the US as "Fisherman's Bass Club".


The thing about Japanese games that annoys me is that you really can't tell the guys from the girls in a lot of games.

Yeah, this can often be seen in RPG titles (Suikoden, Final Fantasy). I think this really took off in the early 90's (Alucard in SotN was one of the first androgynous heroes I remember playing), but anyhow.. I don't mind a cute-looking male character. It's principally the same as with the heap of muscles you get to play in nearly every western FPS game.

@Cryomancer:
Darwin isn't bad.. its a cute time-waster, but the loading screens will make you cry.
They should release Chikyuu Boueigun 1-2 instead..

[Poofta!]

hmm i never heard of the simple 2000 games, but a quick wiki search filled me in... and all i gotta say is... who cares? seem like bad, cheap shovelware. seems earth defense force x or whatever for 360 was one of thsoe games, and it was crap!

its not innovation, its garbage.

[j_factor]

Whatever happened to European developers anyway? There used to be a lot of European games back in the day, but it seems like very little is coming out of Europe anymore. Psygnosis is dead, Delphine is dead, Core is practically dead, Codemasters is dormant, DMA Design had the soul sucked out of it, etc. Back in the 16-bit era, some of my favorite games were developed in Europe.

[Cryomancer]

Agreed about Chikyuu Boueigun, I'll buy any of those that come over for damn sure.

[Chris]

@Poofta!:
Ignorance is bliss I guess ^_-

I think Chikyuu Boueigun 2 is one of the very best PS2 titles in existence and offers the best Co-Op multiplayer experience I've ever seen on any platform. This thing alone kept me from selling my PS2, so just believe me when I say that it delivers the goods, like few other games do nowadays. This stuff just kicks ass, I mean.. giant alien ant's ass!
Chikyuu Boueigun 3 (Earth Defense Force 2017) got a 9/10 on eurogamer, a respectable online reviewsite and has been named "action game of the year" by many who played it, despite of it only being a partially watered down cash-in in comparison to the previous games in the series.


@j_factor:
That's an interesting thing to note.. I also can't remember playing much in regards to european developed releases. It surely can't just be the steady decline of Rare?
I think the development scene in Europe has seen healthier days indeed (thinking back to the Commodore and Amiga times).

[landamo]

About five years ago I would have gone with japanese games because I loved the japanese style rpg so much. But after playing so many I kind of burned out on them and now just feel the need to blow shit up. So I'm gonna have to go with western games.

Also I really don't care for all the femmy looking heroes, call me old fashioned but I like to play as dudes that look like badasses

[djsquarewave]

I figure part of the reason European games aren't really recognized anymore is because without the big names up front (Psygnosis, DMA, Core...and Titus for what it's worth) we just don't see them. European game design isn't really too far seperated from American game design at this point. Certainly not to the degree it was in the 16-bit days, anyway.


hmm i never heard of the simple 2000 games, but a quick wiki search filled me in... and all i gotta say is... who cares? seem like bad, cheap shovelware. seems earth defense force x or whatever for 360 was one of thsoe games, and it was crap!

its not innovation, its garbage.
I guess you're not a fan of b-movies either, then? I quite honestly hate how just about every game now tries to be an amazing big-budget cinematic masterpiece, despite the fact that most fail spectacularly at it.

Where are the little games? I want games with sprites, I want games that you can finish in a few hours, I want games with heart and soul, with the charm that comes with not being driven by a corporate profit mentality. And I want them on the big screen, not on some flimsy clamshell handheld.

Stuff like the Simple 2000 series gives me a small taste of this sort of thing, even if most of it is generic or exploitative trash. I'd honestly think more people here would share this kind of view considering this is a retrogaming forum...

[Spartacus]

The biggest games don't have to be localizations from Japan anymore -- some of the biggest hits in the US have been domestic games like Gears of War, Halo, and GTA. Western games tend to be very different from Japanese games -- more focused on realism, freedom, fast-paced action, and violence. Japanese games tend to be more stylized, more leisurely paced, and they don't take themselves too seriously. The Japanese have this weird philosophy that "games are fun." Western games are too self-important and serious for my tastes.

I do seem to "prefer" western games... Halo, GTA, etc., yet I'm still fond of Japanese games. Sometimes though, I'll see the top ten games list from Japan and think to myself there isn't a single one there that remotely interests me.



I like both but all of my favorite games have all been American made.
The thing about Japanese games that annoys me is that you really can't tell the guys from the girls in a lot of games.

I suppose it's an anime art style and not simply a metro-sexual look, but I don't care for it either. I hope that's not considered gay bashing.



hmm i never heard of the simple 2000 games, but a quick wiki search filled me in... and all i gotta say is... who cares? seem like bad, cheap shovelware. seems earth defense force x or whatever for 360 was one of thsoe games, and it was crap!
its not innovation, its garbage.

I would never tell anyone the Simple games are about innovation. They are simply low budget games that will now and again surprise me with how much fun I'm having playing them.



I do believe that not a single Simple 2000 game has been released in the US yet.


That's a shame really, but only in the US, seeing as nearly every noteworthy Simple entry is released in Europe.


I've been envious of that myself. Much as I enjoy the Simple games, having them localized in English would be much more enjoyable. Europe has been fortunate to have Italy's 505 Game Street doing that for them. I only wish they had found a way to get them over here since I assume they were already translated. 505 Game Street might have a rough road ahead now that D3 has opened it's own publisher in Europe called Essential Games.
I use this site occasionally to help me determine which of the Simple games have a western port...
http://fuji.drillspirits.net/simple/



Tamsoft sticks pointless bikini girls in every game they make. Except for Block Kuzushi 2, which may be the most awesome game they've ever made.

First off, Tamsoft made the Oneechabara series which is the only ninja sword game I've played that treats a katana as a sharp implement. When Aya swings it at somebody's head - the damn head comes off. She cuts somebody's arm with it - the damn arm is lying on the ground. She slices anybody thru the waist - the whole upper torso comes off! And it's so cute - 'cause now you've got those legs running around still trying to kick at you! HaHa!
Strider, Ninja Gaiden, Dynasty Warriors, Otagi and all the rest should be ASHAMED! at how they've made katana's behave like magical wooden sticks!
I won't argue with you too much about the bikinis. In fact I've grown so fond of Oneechabara's Aya that I found myself getting peeved about the new costumes she could unlock. I kept thinking, "She's NOT A WHORE! Quit trying to slut her up!" She's just someone who was raised by her dad and didn't learn how to dress herself properly, that's all. LOL
I remember my wife coming in the room while I was playing that game and after watching a spell asked me what I was playing. I tried to pronounce it and it probably sounded like " it's Okeefanokee". She said it looked interesting and she'd like to try it when I'm done. Then she asked if the girl Aya had any other outfits she could wear. I turned to her and said it was funny she had asked because the whole game was about unlocking different outfits for her to wear. I didn't have the heart to tell her that they were all bikinis and not the armor, breastplates, helmets and crap she was envisioning her in. LOL
Block Kuzushi 2, by the way, looks interesting. I've been meaning to look into that myself.



Apparently a second Simple 2000 game is finally coming to the US, under the title "The Adventures of Darwin". Gamestop site says it's out tomorrow (and oddly enough, it's already hit the internet). 15 bucks for a pikmin clone by a great company, might have to consider picking it up just to support them.
I hope this is a sign of more to come.
edit: People don't like tamsoft? their stuff is hilarious. Sure they make 5 sequels to the games but hell, sometimes that can be a good thing. maybe they should develop for PC...

Well at least somebody appreciates Tamsoft. Thanks!



Darwin isn't bad.. its a cute time-waster, but the loading screens will make you cry...

That must be Simple 2000 Series Vol.99 THE Genshijin. Sheesh, I bought that awhile back and haven't gotten around to playing it yet. Now it's being localized. Oh poop!
I'm not that surprised to hear about the long load screens because it's from Vingt-et-un. They also did Zombie vs Ambulance, which I have played and it's long load screens just about drove me insane. Funny thing is that in an article in Gamasutra, D3 was asked who was their best developer in Japan and they mentioned Vingt-et-un. You can read about it here....
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12617

In another article in Gamasutra you can read about why D3 felt the US market was too quality conscious for the Simple games to stand a chance here. I'm like HUH?. I've played too many craptacular western games for that to be a legitimate concern! You can read about that here...
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20050909/sheffield_01.shtml



Chikyuu Boueigun 3 (Earth Defense Force 2017) got a 9/10 on eurogamer, a respectable online reviewsite and has been named "action game of the year" by many who played it, despite of it only being a partially watered down cash-in in comparison to the previous games in the series.
Where are the little games? I want games with sprites, I want games that you can finish in a few hours, I want games with heart and soul, with the charm that comes with not being driven by a corporate profit mentality. And I want them on the big screen, not on some flimsy clamshell handheld.

Have you tried Simple 2000 Series Vol. 64: The Splatter Action? It's about a pumpkinhead kid with a chainsaw. A side scroller with lot's of charm.
I loved those Chikyuu Boueigun games, so I'm saddened to hear Earth Defense Force 2017 described as a watered down cash-in. I don't have a 360 yet, but still decided to purchase the game so I knew I would have a copy and then I saw they were asking $39.99 for it. I couldn't believe my eye's! They want that much for next gen budget games! Kiss my ass!



Whatever happened to European developers anyway? There used to be a lot of European games back in the day, but it seems like very little is coming out of Europe anymore. Psygnosis is dead, Delphine is dead, Core is practically dead, Codemasters is dormant, DMA Design had the soul sucked out of it, etc. Back in the 16-bit era, some of my favorite games were developed in Europe.

Gee, I thought Europe has been kicking some great stuff my way lately.
Out of the UK I've gotten Fable, Battalion Wars, Timesplitters, MotoGP, Sudeki, Project Gotham Racing, Black, Burnout and GOD BLESS YOU! DMA for GTA!
France's Ubisoft has given me Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, Prince of Persia, Rayman, Far Cry, Brothers in Arms and though I didn't care for it...Beyond Good & Evil.
Sweden's given me Rallisport, Midtown Madness, the Battlefield series and GOD BLESS YOU! Starbreeze for showing me licensed games can be as good as Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay! And I'm looking forward to The Darkness.
Denmark's given me the Hitman series
Croatia‘s given me Serious Sam
Poland's given me Painkiller: Hell Wars
And finally, the Ukraine's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl looks interesting.

But then, I'm easily amused by shooting people and blowing stuff up! And uh, hacking people. And possibly tastefull bikinis.

[Poofta!]

regarding european games: spartacus pretty much hit it on the head there. also dont forget france's dark messiah of might and magic (amazing game) and STALKER was fantastic btw... it really quenched my craving for Fallout 3. seriously. its that good.

[Chris]

I loved those Chikyuu Boueigun games, so I'm saddened to hear Earth Defense Force 2017 described as a watered down cash-in.
Maybe that was too harsh, if you're new to the series, it's the ideal place to start and imagening I'd never played the first two games, I'd probaly shit my pants playing it.
From the mere facts it seems like Chikyuu Coueigun 1.5, while there are some additions, there are also many things missing from the second game (Palewing is nowhere to be found). The game seems to be geared towards newcomers, that have never heard of the series before, and it really does an excellent job here.

Btw here are three vids that show some things that didn't make it into EDF 2017:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgL_3eI3XWQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXED3qSqffQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgL_3eI3XWQ

And regarding the european titles, I didn't have an idea that there are this many high-profile games.. maybe cause I don't care about most of 'em and therefore didn't even know were they've been developed.
Interesting to know, thx^_-

[YoshiM]

You know, I never gave it much thought. I just play what's available that appeals to my tastes. As long as the game is fun I really don't care if it's "Japanese-ey" or "American-ey".

As for the "western glut" of FPS or sports titles, can we not say the same to a point with some of the genres the Japanese games tend to dominate? How many anime-inspired titles are we going to get (I'm looking at you, Dragon Ball and its possible future replacement, Naruto)? The RPGs I read about all seem to borrow off of one another for style or combat or even plot, to me almost making them a "played one, you played them all" (though most of these come out on the PS2, which I don't and won't own, so correct me if my observations are off the mark).

The reason why there is a glut of a particular genre is because people BUY the stuff and the businesses want that money. It's easy to shake one's head at the sheer number of FPS titles that are out but I'm sure there's probably a Japanese person shaking their head at yet another date simulator coming down the pike. It's the gems we have to find and that's what we should enjoy, whether it's Japanese, American or European.

[djsquarewave]

Gee, I thought Europe has been kicking some great stuff my way lately.
Out of the UK I've gotten Fable, Battalion Wars, Timesplitters, MotoGP, Sudeki, Project Gotham Racing, Black, Burnout and GOD BLESS YOU! DMA for GTA!
France's Ubisoft has given me Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, Prince of Persia, Rayman, Far Cry, Brothers in Arms and though I didn't care for it...Beyond Good & Evil.
Sweden's given me Rallisport, Midtown Madness, the Battlefield series and GOD BLESS YOU! Starbreeze for showing me licensed games can be as good as Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay! And I'm looking forward to The Darkness.
Denmark's given me the Hitman series
Croatia‘s given me Serious Sam
Poland's given me Painkiller: Hell Wars
And finally, the Ukraine's S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl looks interesting.

But then, I'm easily amused by shooting people and blowing stuff up! And uh, hacking people. And possibly tastefull bikinis.
Huh, I never knew Criterion was British. Forgot about Free Radical, even though I love Timesplitters. And...I've never played a single other one of these games you've listed.

I think some of those Ubisoft games were developed in Canada.

You've excellently highlighted, though, how American and European game design have more or less completely converged, to the point where unless you know a devco's location, you can't even tell.

[CreamSoda]

I prefer Japanese games, because they usually feel like VIDEOGAMES! aka, unrealistic, colorful, fun, exciting, ect. Although the Western style of games has come along way, I often get tired of the Ultra Realism trend that is in full effect right now. If I want realistic physics, lifelike graphics, intense situations, I will go outside in the real world. Give me something fun and totally crazy to play.

[Eteric Rice]

Japanese games. They're usually more stylized. :D

[robotriot]

I think some of those Ubisoft games were developed in Canada.

Far Cry is a German game actually.

I personally don't prefer any type of game (Japanese vs Western), they both have their positive and negative points. It's all good in the end, no matter where it comes from :)

[RPG_Fanatic]

modern / classic ... I prefer japanese games. I dont mind trying out everything else but all of my favorite games are japanese ones. There are so many differences..


I'm the same way growing up on the NES i just like Japanese games better.

[josekortez]

Japanese games, which is probably why my 360 doesn't get much play, but it's getting there.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

Pardon my thread necromancy. I know this subject has been discussed numerous times across various forums, but I don't have a preference for japanese vs. western games (western meaning american + european, asutralian, canadian, etc. included). What I do have a preference for are the more colorful, lighthearted, cartoony games. I am not into stuff like Halo, Mass Effect or Dead Space, but neither am I into Silent Hill, MGS, or Resident Evil. There are a few exceptions as seen in my library, but they're few and far between. Western games that suit my tastes are those such as Psychonauts, Rayman, Lost Vikings, the original Crash and Spyro trilogies, and so on. Japanese ones I like are things like Ape Escape, Klonoa, Kingdom Hearts, Mario, Sonic, etc.

As you can see I am a big platformer fan which is helped by the fact that the genre usually caters to these kinds of games. :D

[otaku]

Well I don't import much but if we're just talking japanese games in general that are also available in the states then.... I have no idea. I loved nintendo as a kid but was also a big sega fan and either way you also have to consider I became a big fan of pc and xbox gaming. I suppose in general I like american games I never cared much for instance for jrpgs

[Flashback2012]

Both. There's great games from both countries and it would be unfair to say that I like one over the other. I grew up with the Atari 2600 while always yearning for the Colecovision. Back then you could say that home console gaming was strictly an American forte in regards to the VCS and Intellivision (with it being a mix of arcade ports and original stuff on Coleco) while the arcade scene catered better to the Japanese companies. The advent of the NES and the proliferation of companies such as Konami and Capcom making names for themselves on consoles as well as in the arcades, my tastes shifted more to the Japanese programmed games and only increased once we got the Master System and Genesis and I became a Sega junkie.

Of course when the 90's rolled around, I was introduced to PC gaming after being a diehard console gamer for years. When CD-ROM became the go-to format for PCs I was in full swing, having already enjoyed titles like Leisure Suit Larry and spending days upon days playing games like Doom and Duke Nukem 3D. By the late 90's I was heavy into the import scene thanks to there being a robust import library on the Sega Saturn and before that getting my importing feet wet by picking up select PC Engine, Mega Drive, and Super Famicom titles. Back then people thought I was crazy for paying $89 for a copy of Dracula X for PC Engine but that game opened my eyes to all of the greatness that up until then I was unaware wasn't showing up over here like it should have been.

Luckily publishers on these shores figured out we wanted those kinds of games so my importing severly slowed around the time the DC showed up and I practically stopped importing games during the PS2/Xbox/Cube days. I still pick up imports now and again for region free 360 games and PS3 titles not released here but I haven't yet seen a reason to do so for the PS4/Xbone yet (though I currently own neither). It's interesting to note that while I never abandoned my love for the games that came out of Japan and picked up their localizations, the games that have held my sway for over the last 15 years have been American made MMO's; namely Everquest and subsequently World of Warcraft. I gave up EQ many years ago but I still continue to play WoW daily (even if it is for only a few hours a day at best).

Now we're up to the present and looking over the games I have pre-ordered they are all without a doubt Japanese in nature. The current culture of FPS games like CoD, TitanFall, and Destiny don't really do anything for me so I've soured to that particular genre somewhat probably because I got it out of my system years ago from all that Doom/Duke playing via LAN gaming instead of over a service which is so common today. I did like the first Halo though so I might be willing to give Destiny a look. I had considered dabbling with the Elder Scrolls MMO but have been leary to do so because I cannot afford the time for another MMO into my schedule and I still enjoy playing WoW. Also while FPS games largely do nothing for me and sandbox games such as GTA or Saints Row don't really grab me, there haven lots of great little titles on Steam such as Super Meat Boy that have held my interest.

Long story short (too late), I'll go back to my original answer of Both. ^^;

[Tanooki]

Personally I'm ok with both depending on the game, but in the grand picture Japanese games trump the hell out of the US game making market at the commercial level hands down. The US seemingly has decided to shrink the relevant market on a solid disc purchase to whatever they can hollywood the fuck out of and sell in turn to masses (millions) of comfy zombies who love the same old shit every single year with little changed. The US seems to be perfectly happy with the western genres of primarily just the first person shooter, sports (madden, fifa, tiger woods), fighting (sf4), racing (forza, nfs street racing stuff), and western style/influenced RPGs which includes the MMO.

The Japanese kind of have stuck to their roots of good support among the established genres going back into the mid 80s and then they still innovate some bat shit nuts junk with spanking sims, date sims, sambas, dancing, etc. The one thing they've morphed towards is an easier to pick up and play, and then put down 5-15min later and feel good about it type thing since they've been trending towards 3Ds/tablet/phone type portable gaming moments yet not thankfully making the games hollow or sacrificing depth and fun. As I started playing in the mid80s at home when the NES test launched I've been for decades now exposed to a variety of games and because of that I have a hard time enjoying much of the western stuff, it's very hit and miss and more miss at that. I used to in the 90s and early 00s loved racing, sf2/sf3 and other fighters, fps games, never sports or MMOs, but did enjoy a random wrpg or two. These days I can't stand driving around more than a half hour, the fps games are all call of duty and clone BS and only the history based ones of those I can enjoy(black ops1, ww2), and fighting I can't get into anymore but the older ones and MMO aside from Guild Wars 2 isn't fun either. The west has constricted into narrow mindedness and the tunnel vision there on what to support I can not.