[AnimeGamer]

5 Best Asian Video Games 2024

In the long history of gaming, it has become evident that the best games for many genres have come from Asian countries rather than Western countries. Much of this is due to the massive contributions of companies such as Nintendo, Sega, and Square Enix. But despite that it wouldn't be wrong to say that games from Asian countries have a certain charm and appeal in them such as the lonesome journey in Shadow of Colossus or the sense of adventure in Breath of the Wild. That's why we have compiled the top five best Asian Video games for the year 2024 for your enjoyment. So without further ado let us begin.


Table of Contents

1. Guilty Gear Strive - Japan
   
2. Genshin Impact - China
   
3. Eternal Return - Korea
   
4. Star Ocean The Second Story R - Japan
   
5. A Space for the Unbound - Indonesia
   

Guilty Gear Strive - Japan

Figure 1-1. Guilty Gear Strive

Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows.

Everything that can be said about Guilty Gear Strive has been said, as not only is it the best Guilty Gear game it is also the best 2D fighter on the market right now. Don’t believe me just see the concurrent player count of the game which is over 2.5 million numbers that were previously thought to be only achievable by the likes of Street Fighter and Tekken. But with Arc System Work at the helm Guilty Gear Strive was also able to achieve this via the high level of optimization and polish of the game. It also led the game to be selected for the EVO 2023 Championship with a massive cash prize.

Figure 1-2. Guilty Gear Strive Gameplay

As for the story and the characters, the game is in the truest sense the end of an era, for the narrative sees us bid farewell to the iconic Sol Bad Guy and embrace a new era free from the fear of Gears. But while the curtain may have fallen on the main story there are many questions left unanswered. Such as the true origin of Gears and Happy Chaos, but alas it seems these mysteries are bound to remain unanswered. As Arc System Works is now focusing on moving away from the original story into a new direction, the results of which only time will tell.

Genshin Impact - China

Figure 2-1. Genshin Impact

Platforms: GeForce Now, PlayStation, Android, Windows, and iOS.

Genshin Impact is a name that I am sure is known far and wide as the one-hit wonder that took over the gaming industry overnight and despite what many will say about the quality of its gameplay, no one can deny the sheer success of the game. And why not would it be successful as the game is an amalgamation of the best genres in gaming combined with a gacha system? Its gameplay is an open world divided up into level-based areas where players can complete quests, battle large monsters, and socialize with their fellow players.

Figure 2-2. Genshin Impact Gameplay

All aspects are found in a popular MOBA or online game, but what set it apart from the rest was the fleshed-out story which takes the players through a tale of deceit, evil gods, sins of the past, and many more. Despite its happy-go-lucky graphics, the game harbors a sinister tale that will no doubt in time be considered the best story to come out of a gacha game. Yes, it is better than even the likes of Fate/Grand Order as can be seen with the over 2 billion profit the developers made via microtransactions alone. So dear players if you think you have what it takes to venture into this world then what are you waiting for the game is free on all available platforms.

Eternal Return - Korea

Figure 3-1. Eternal Return

Platforms: Windows.

Fusion of genres is a risky endeavor and one that can lead to the utter destruction of a development studio. Or so was thought to be the case until Nimble Neuron came and did the unthinkable by merging the MOBA and battle royale genre, a feat that not many industry ventures can claim to have pulled off. This resulted in the creation of Eternal Return a game that takes the best of both worlds and gives players what they truly want, endless action and enjoyment. But it seems that in creating this new genre the developers also kickstarted an entire esports league around the game one that is run by the developers and gamers alike.

Figure 3-2. Eternal Return Gameplay

Despite all this, the game at its core is a simple game about surviving and collecting resources to level up and eliminate opponents. Simple right, well the twist is that the game has a revolving roster of characters each with its unique mechanics and gameplay, which means that no two matches will be the same. So if you wish to witness the birth of a new genre play Eternal Return as it is available for free on all available platforms.

Star Ocean The Second Story R - Japan

Figure 4-1. Star Ocean The Second Story R

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Windows.

Star Ocean is a name I am sure many of you veteran gamers are quite fond of as it was one of the original JRPGs that Square Enix produced in its glory days of the '90s. But those days are long gone as turn-based games are now considered outdated and clunky. A valid criticism as game development has grown in leaps and bounds since those days. But even though the system is old many new games still use it and there is no better example of its timeless charm than Star Ocean The Second Story R a remaster of a beloved classic. Finally, it was able to be unshackled from the chains of old hardware and given a new birth with all new game engines and all the cut content from the original release.

Figure 4-2. Star Ocean The Second Story R Gameplay

Gameplay-wise the game follows the structure of the Tales series as it is an action JRPG with multiple turn-based components that work together in harmony to give players an experience they won't forget any time soon. And why shouldn’t they as the game is probably the only one of its kind that lets players use science to break the laws of reality. As for the story, the less revealed the better as the game has one of the best stories of any JRPG from the golden age, beating out even the likes of Final Fantasy 7 and Tactics. So if you wish to embark on an adventure of a lifetime then this game is for you.

A Space for the Unbound - Indonesia

Figure 5-1. A Space for the Unbound

Platforms: PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and Windows.

Indie games are not something that is all that popular in the Asian gaming industry as they never needed the 2010s indie revolution the Western gaming industry needed. But that’s not to say that there aren’t any indie games as the most popular indie game of the last two decades Cave Story came from Asia. This is why the massive success of A Space for the Unbound comes as no surprise, even if it was created by a small game development studio from Indonesia. The game is set in a tropical village in Indonesia where we follow the story of two high school students as they get caught up in forces beyond their control.

Figure 5-2. A Space for the Unbound Gameplay

At its core, it is a tale of longing and losing what one holds dear, it is a tale of the undying spirit of man and the thread of fate which binds us together. Steeped in Indonesian folklore the game masterfully brings a long-overlooked culture to the forefront in beautifully drawn pixel art which imparts a mystical feel to the game. This is why the game has become a massive hit on Steam achieving the highly coveted Overwhelmingly positive status. But alas in the end to truly understand and feel the game one needs to play it first hand to understand the wonder it holds.



@"everyone"