[AnimeGamer]

3 Best Japanese Based Video Games 2025

Japan is the land of anime, samurai, and video games that have managed to set the gaming industry on fire for many decades. This act has led many Japanese games to gain a special status in the industry and to even have an entire genre named after them, the so-called JRPG ( Japanese Role Playing Game ) genre. But despite this massive fame and success, you can still find Japanese studios experimenting and innovating to find the next best game. An endeavor that has resulted in some of the best games of recent years and they are as follows. It is also prudent to mention that the games on this list were taken from the results of Japan's biggest video game popularity poll conducted by Tele Asahi Post.


Table of Contents

1. Persona 5 Royal - JRPG
   
2. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together / Reborn - CRPG
   
3. Blue Protocal – Online ARPG
   

Persona 5 Royal - JRPG

Figure 1-1. Persona 5 Royal

Platforms: Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows.

Persona is a name many gamers are familiar with as of recently, due to the massive commercial success of the 5th game. A success which unlike the previous games was not solely concentrated in Japan, but despite that fact it is still regarded as one of the best games in Japan. Why you might ask? Simple it has one of the most flushed-out cast of characters of any JRPG released in recent years. And talking about JRPG’s Persona 5 Royal has one of the most well-constructed turn-based combat systems ever. Beating out even the puch turn system from the infamous SMT Nocturne. As for the story, I would say without a doubt that it is the game's strongest aspect. Because with the Royal edition, you finally have the story ending explained and the characters have also gotten more content flushing them out. So if you wish to witness the greatness of Japanese games then look no further than Persona Royal 5.

Figure 1-2. Persona 5 Royal Gameplay

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together / Reborn - CRPG

Figure 2-1. Tactics Ogre Reborn

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Windows.

When it comes to the early history of CRPG games only a few games stand out as being the trailblazers that set the trend for the coming decade and among them alongside the likes of Fire Emblem and FF Tactics, we have Tactics Ogre. The Dark Horse of all Japanese-based series of the '90s focused more on the political aspects of war and the effects it had on the people fighting. A focus that led it to be forgotten in the 2010s, but with the revival of the old franchise the developers thought it nice to remake the original game with all the cut content to give the fans what they want. This resulted in the creation of Tactics Ogre: Reborn, by far the best CRRPG on the market as it has complex strategic gameplay and a story that will have you at the edge of your seat throughout. So if you wish to experience the game that took Japan by storm then Tactics Ogre Reborn is the game for you.

Figure 2-2. Tactics Ogre Reborn Gameplay

Blue Protocal – Online ARPG

Figure 3-1. Blue Protocol

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Windows.

Lastly, on the list, we have one of the youngest games in the entire list, it is none other than Bandai Namco's most recent venture into the world of online action RPGs, Blue Protocol. A name I am sure you are probably aware of if you frequent Japanese blog sites such as Famitsu and 2-chan. It seems to have built up a respectable following in a very short amount of time, and why shouldn’t it as the game is the amalgamation of Bandai Namco's years of making games. As the story is a tale of mystery and wonders as our player character embarks on a tale of unfathomable proportions with only the clothes on his back and a weapon in his hand. Through this journey, we will witness the multiple quirky characters that inhabit this world and get to see the world and its mysteries unravel themselves to reveal the answers that should have remained hidden. As for the combat, it follows the traditional trial action RPG combat system with a new magic and weapons system that introduces much-needed challenge and puzzle-solving to the game. So if you wish to join a game with great potential still in its infancy then Blue Protocol is the game for you.

Figure 3-2. Blue Protocol Gameplay

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