Games Set in Japan That Will Awake Your Nipponic Spirit
The video game industry is full of titles in real-world locations, and Japanese culture is one of people’s favorites regarding a game setting. From a post-apocalyptic Tokyo to medieval titles with Japanese history references, you can find all kinds of experiences with this aesthetic.
If you’re looking for a game set in Japan to play alone or with your friends, you came to the right place. We will show you the best games featuring this theme.
We will also cover a variety of game genres and styles to ensure you find the perfect one. Whether you’re looking for action-adventure games with Japanese mythology or a game that simulates everyday Japanese life, we've got you covered. We will also cover different platforms to ensure you find the perfect pick, no matter if you’re playing on a console or PC.
Games Set in Japan That Will Awake Your Nipponic Spirit
Where to Find Video Game Keys for the Best Price
Before listing the best games set in Japan, it is essential to know where you can purchase your games for the best price. From each platform's official store to dedicated marketplaces throughout the web, there are tons of options to choose from.
Among all the alternatives, RoyalCDKeys is the best one for your gameplay and wallet. We offer over a thousand titles for the best price, so you can play all the games you want and save money.
Moreover, every key sold comes with 24-hour support. This way, you ensure a smooth redeeming process and avoid any problems.
Visit our homepage and check the latest releases from the gaming industry for the best price. It is the best option for your gaming library.
Best Games Set in Japan You Can Play Right Now
Now it’s time to see the best games with a Japanese setting. Make sure to take a look at each of the options below to find out the best one for you.
This kind of game offers a variety of styles, not only in the gameplay but also in the graphics and aesthetics, so there’s always an option that will catch your eye.
Here are the best games set in Japan you can play right now:
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Release Date: March, 2019
Developer: From Software
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows
Start off with one of the best RPGs if you like a good challenge. Sekiro is a game developed by From Software with the soulslike elements we all love.
Unlike Dark Souls or Elden Ring, the story here is more linear and follows a specific character instead of the customizable playable characters from the other franchises. You control Okami (also referred to as Sekiro), a powerful shinobi that carries an extraordinary power.
The game takes place in the Sengoku Era Japan (1500s), and your mission is to protect Lord Kuro from any threat, no matter the cost. He’s your priority and only objective.
Along with being the grandchild of the famous Isshin Ashina, he is also the heir to a powerful curse called the Dragon Blood. It has the power to turn any person into an immortal being. You must ensure his safety so no evil force uses this power for cruel purposes.
The combat is fast-paced and will require extreme precision when trying to deflect hits from opponents, bosses, and all the dangers you’ll find along the way. Prepare for a challenge at every new encounter since numerous enemies can defeat you with a single hit.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a linear experience but has tons of mini-games and side quests you can also do to enhance your gameplay, extend it, and unlock exclusive skills.
It is a great game if you like Feudal Japan and this kind of setting. Prepare for lots of challenges and multiple endings depending on what you do during the campaign.
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Persona 5 Royal
Release Date: October, 2019
Developer: Atlus
Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows
Moving from samurai warriors and shinobis to modern-day Tokyo, we have one of the greatest games if you enjoy turn-based combat. Persona 5 Royal is the definitive edition of the series' fifth game, taking you to the streets of Tokyo while fighting against the evil forces from the other dimension.
This modern Japan is full of real-life locations, presenting you with famous spots, like the Shibuya district. This aspect gets even better when considering the game's stunning visuals with its distinct art style. You can explore different places, like a hot spring, a shrine, and many other places of Japanese culture.
Even though it greatly represents Japan, the game is not a simulator. It’s a turn-based JRPG where you control the main character, known as the Joker.
After being unjustly accused of a crime and transferred to a new school, you find solace in joining a group known as the Phantom Thieves. Unveiling your hidden power, you embark on a mission to rescue those in need and reform society for the better. Your journey involves understanding and harnessing this newfound ability to combat malevolent adversaries, ultimately saving lives and clearing your name of the wrongful accusations.
As a high-school student, your options are very limited, so think every decision through carefully, as it might impact your life in the game.
It is a great title if you like JRPGs and has hundreds of hours of content to explore.
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Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Release Date: January, 2020
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios
Platforms: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows
The Yakuza series has always been people’s top of mind regarding games in Japan. The famous action franchise is well-known not only in Japan but also across the entire world, mixing multiple genres to create a truly unique experience.
Like a Dragon is the original title of the franchise in Japan, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon might look like a pleonasm, but SEGA’s strategy is to use the title Like a Dragon across the world to abandon “Yakuza.”
This is the seventh game of the main saga. It follows the story of Ichiban Kasuga, a man born and raised without knowing his parents. At the age of 15, he gets rescued by a Yakuza member and a famous character from other games in the series.
Now, you’ll follow Ichiban’s story and actions as part of Yakuza through the 15 chapters of the game, each one with a thriving storytelling and plot twist that will make you never stop playing.
Like a Dragon offers a more down-to-earth approach, as it doesn’t boast features typical for fantasy games, such as superpowers. It is the closest title to reality in this list and replicates the life of a Yakuza member in Japan.
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Ghost of Tsushima
Release Date: July, 2020
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Platforms: Playstation 4 and Playstation 5
Ghost of Tsushima is another game taking place in Japan that gained immense popularity. Even though Sony’s exclusive might look similar to Sekiro in many aspects, they can be completely different experiences.
GoT is an open-world game that allows the player to freely explore every map region, while Sekiro has linear progression, even though the player can travel through the unlocked areas. Another difference is that Sekiro focuses on Japanese folklore and myths. At the same time, Ghost of Tsushima has a more traditional approach, trying to replicate the reality of the relationship between samurais centuries ago.
The game takes place in 1274, during the first Mongolian invasion of Nipponic territory. You control a character known as Jin Sakai, a samurai with an important decision to make: following the warrior code and fighting honorably or using dishonorable practices to win the war with fewer casualties.
This decision drastically impacts gameplay and how the story progresses. Make sure to think about every aspect before choosing your combat approach.
GoT’s story centers in the north region of Japan, in Kyushu, more specifically, a city far from the Japanese capital. Each landscape is unique and beautiful, and when combined with the stunning graphics of the title, it makes the game a perfect visual experience for an action RPG.
This is an excellent pick if you’re looking for an RPG with an open world and tons of content to explore. Grab your katana and unite with the Samurai clan to expel the invaders.
Tokyo Jungle
Release Date: June, 2012
Developer: Japan Studio
Platforms: Playstation 3 and Playstation Vita
Looking for a crazy title? There you have it.
Tokyo Jungle presents a reality of the city transformed into a wildlife wasteland, where dangerous and wild animals ready to fight for food lurk around every corner. It takes place in a distant future where humanity vanished from the region, leaving it entirely for these creatures.
In this game, you must complete a series of missions centered around these animals. Your main objective is to figure out what happened and what the cause of humankind’s disappearance is.The more you explore, the more you understand the current state of the world and the influence of those animals on it.
The game offers an experience unlike anything you've seen before, yet undeniably entertaining. While you may not encounter characters with remarkable personalities akin to those in other games, you'll undoubtedly create unforgettable moments throughout your journey.
It is also one of the few titles available for PS Vita, so it is a great opportunity to get the dust out of yours and start playing it. Choose your favorite animal and dominate the busy streets of Tokyo.
Ghostwire: Tokyo
Release Date: March, 2022
Developer: Tango Gameworks
Platforms: Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows
We all know how brilliant the combination of Japanese environments and horror gameplay can be, and Ghostwire is one of these cases. As the name suggests, the game takes place in Tokyo and will put the player face to face with horrendous creatures trying to kill them.
In this nightmare, you step into the shoes of a boy named Akito, who finds himself in the aftermath of a fatal car accident. Instead of meeting his demise, he awakens to a city drastically transformed, setting the stage for a surreal and unsettling journey.
Surviving the accident was no mere coincidence; Akito learns that his continued existence is the result of a spirit possessing his body, granting him newfound abilities but also exposing him to the dangers of the supernatural realm.
As Tokyo’s population has disappeared, you must use your new powers to find out what happened and how to make things return to the previous state. With incredible storytelling and breathtaking modern Tokyo to explore, it’s a must-have title for all Japanese culture enthusiasts.
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Okami
Release Date: April, 2006
Developer: Capcom
Platforms: Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows
If you’re looking for a unique art style and impeccable soundtrack, Okami is an excellent pick for you. Deeply inspired by Japanese folklore and traditions, the game is set hundreds of years in the past, during the Nippon Era of the country.
You step into the shoes of Okami Amaterasu, a Shinto sun goddess. This name comes from the fact that you control a creature in the form of a wolf, with the entire story revolving around the myth of how the goddess’ powers saved the whole land from the darkness.
It is the best pick if you want to learn more about Japanese history and folklore. You’ll need to solve puzzles, progress through different scenarios, and use your powers to reach your objective and free the world from the darkness.
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Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Release Date: January, 2020
Developer: Atlus
Platforms: Nintendo Wii U and Nintendo Switch
If you’re looking for games set in Japan, this crossover is one of the best video games of the Wii U era. As a partnership between Atlus and Nintendo, the game combines elements from Shin Megami Tensei and Fire Emblem to create a unique player experience.
The title has several real-life places to visit, such as Shibuya and Harajuku. It is one of the best modern representations of Tokyo in video games. There are several locations to explore, each one with hidden extras to increase your completion time if you want to reach 100% of the game.
It revolves around creatures known as Mirages and their plans for humanity. They are draining Performa from people, a kind of energy that feeds them. Along with harvesting this energy, they are also kidnapping multiple targets, making people worried about who might be the next target.
You must find a way to defeat the Mirages and end their plan. To do that, you’ll count on the help of friendly Mirages who disagree with the malicious intentions toward humanity. Your objective is to plan a strategy to make them return to where they belong.
It is a thriving adventure with excellent character development and an immersive narrative. If you like SMT and Fire Emblem, make sure to give this game a try.
STEINS;GATE
Release Date: October, 2009
Developer: Nitroplus
Platforms: Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Playstation Portable, Playstation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows
If you’re an anime fan, you've probably heard of Steins;Gate. It is one of the best-rated animes of all time and one of the best-reviewed games on Steam.
Both the anime and the game tell the same story, but playing it makes things more fun and interactive. It is a sci-fi fiction that is told through visual-novel gameplay, with your choices impacting several aspects of the story.
The narrative follows a group of students who developed a technology that allows them to travel to the past and change history as they interfere and interact with time. They impact the past by sending text messages, and the consequences of these actions can be catastrophic. You’re a student called Rintaro Okabe, and with your friends, you have to navigate the twists and turns of altering history and uncover the true impact of your actions.
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Conclusion on Games Set in Japan
Japan is one of the best locations for creating narratives around, whether because of its rich culture and folklore or the beautiful landscapes you can find throughout the country.
From visual novels to soulslike titles, you can find endless possibilities when looking for a game set in Japan. We showed you some of the main titles available, but there are hundreds of others to choose from. Make sure to visit RoyalCDKeys and discover multiple other experiences that will catch your attention.
Now that you know everything you need, it is time to choose the next video game set in Japan that you will add to your library. Make sure to look at each option to see the ones that best suit what you’re looking for.