The Otaku craze will never die in America as Japanese video games continue to dominate the market. Now they’ve crossed over into the PC markets and continues to grow in fandom
Have you brushed up on your Nihongo lately? If you've been looking for some new pc games, or wanting to looking for a change from the same boring storyline, then you've plugged into the right article. This list is diving into the hottest games currently being played and how they measure in stats and appeal. Japanese gaming has made a niche into the PC gaming industry and is soaring past in popularity. So sit back and follow the top 25 Best Japanese Games to play on your PC right now.
25. Attack on Titan / A.O.T. Wings of Freedom
<A.O.T. Wings of Freedom> Gameplay
Attack on Titan Wings of Freedom starts up after the anime. Eren and the group are once again defending the last of Humanity from the Titans, which are massive Humanoid creatures that devour Humans like pieces of Turkey. You play the game as one of the characters from the Garrison Regiment, using grappling hooks to suspend and fly through the town as you annihilate the Titan threat from eating the last of the Humans behind the last two walls of Rose and Sheena.
The plot thickens as the main character, Eren Yeager, learns that not only can he also turn into one of those Titans, but how and why he obtained the ability to turn into a blood-thirsty Human killing machine.
<A.O.T. Wings of Freedom> Soar through the air with the help of the Garrison Regimes’ Vertical Maneuvering Equipment
<A.O.T. Wings of Freedom> Chop down the Titans in their weak spots to destroy them.
24. Naruto Online
Naruto Online gameplay
Naruto Online showcases its awesome graphics with its ability to tell the story of the Hidden Leaf and their amazing hero, Naruto Uzumaki. Fight known enemies like the Akatsuki. Watch as allies and friends turn into new enemies and traitors. The characters all span from the 100 year storyline, so there won’t be a lack of interesting plots to play through.
And just like the last Naruto game installments, Naruto Online’s fight scenes are turn based. Overall this online PC game feels like another chapter to the Anime, cut scenes included.
In Naruto Online you can play with multiple characters in turn-based battles
Re-enact the most epic of battles from Naruto, and choose characters from their past to present timelines against each other and other foes.
23. Mad Father
Mad Father gameplay
In this indie game Mad father, you play as the scientist’s daughter Aya Drevis. At the stroke of midnight you come face to face and defend against horrible creatures in an attempt to save her father. Little do you know just how “mad” your father really is, and the horrible secret to your mother’s death years ago.
This online game has varying endings, so be sure to play through to unlock them all to see just how the story truly ends.
Who is the mysterious girl that follows Aya and her maid throughout Drevis’ mansion?
What sick and twisted experiments were done in the Drevis’ Mansion?
22. DmC: Devil May Cry
DmC: Devil May Cry gameplay
So in DmC you play as Dante, the hot half angel-half demon Nephilim guy who's looking to dish out some justice on the demon king Mundus for what he did to his parents.
The gameplay has you controlling Dante as he teams up with his twin Vergil to hunt and kill demons. Help control Dante as he finds himself in elaborate realities, enjoy combo attacks you can do in both angel or demon mode, and rack up points and experience as you level up with each completed task. By far the pc version is the best overall quality for playing this game.
Playing epic battles off of the edge of nowhere?
Fight in either Demon mode or Angel mode to create combo attacks and rack up game points.
21. Shenmue 3
Shenmue 3 gameplay
In Shenmue 3 you play as the high school martial artist named Ryo Hazuki. You travel through an expansive game universe where all the characters have set programs and plots, where the environment accounts for day and night time, and you can explore every inch of the map and beautiful attention to detail.
Get ready for game missions, epic battles, and coming closer to Ryo’s quest when this game comes out in December of 2017.
Shenhua Ling is back in part 3 of the series. You will learn how her destiny is tied to the mirrors, and what kind of abilities she truly possesses.
Shenmue 3 promises to be an epic game as Ryo will be able to fight multiple opponents as he levels up at the same time.
20. BERSERK and the Band of the Hawk
BERSERK and the Band of the Hawk gameplay
Berserk and the Band of the Hawk is a continuation of the 1980’s manga also called Berserk, except that this time you won’t be battling crazy killer robots. The story picks up in the Golden Age, where you begin as a warrior named Guts. Now Guts is a mercenary who left his old group and stepfather to join another called the Band of the Hawks.Griffith is their leader, and after defeating Guts in battle, welcomes the mercenary to their ranks. Along the way Griffith discloses that he possesses an item called the “Egg of the King” that holds magical powers. The gameplay has Guts facing hundreds of foes in numerous settings, and creating combos helps you slash through them all and create a reputation amongst the Band of the Hawks, who are on a campaign to fulfill their leader’s wishes.
Combine combos and rip through your opponents as the graphics spray blood and guts all over the screen.
Face enemies on the battlefield and unlock other characters to create a truly action-packed gameplay.
19. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Extended Trailer)
In this spin-off of the Metal Gear franchise, you play a cyborg named Raiden, whose employed to protect an African Prime Minister, and your weapon of choice is a sword. Your combatting against the Desperado Enforcement, who are just a private militia. but who end up slaughtering the PM N’Mani. Raiden sets to seek revenge against the rogue militia, but finds himself caught into something even bigger.
The game was built to showcase the Katana-wielding cyborg, and the environment is set up that you can cut through almost anything. Well worth the gameplay.
The cyborg Raiden showing off his sword. He can be customized, and wield other weapons like a rocket launcher and guns.
Battle and defeat other cyborgs as you unveil the hidden plots of Raiden’s story.
18. Dragonball Xenoverse 2
Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 - TGS 2016 Trailer
In Dragonball Xenoverse 2 you play as a time patroller, whose mission is to help protect the dragonballs timeline of things that have happened. Then a mysterious woman begins to collect all of the villains in both this timeline and others in order to make a unified attack and thus alter the fate of everyone.
Your mission is to join up with old heroes and call upon the power of the Saiyan to help defeat nemesis’ like Black Goku. You use different attacks like calling upon the dragon balls together and other attacks to create combos that will help to defeat the enemy and save history.
Play the time patroller as you explore the past and help defend from enemies.
Replay epic battles as you fight to protect dragonball history.
17. Final Fantasy Online
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood Trailer
You play as a Warrior of Light whose mission is to fend the land from darkness by protecting the Mothercrystal, or source of all life. Travel North along your journey to complete trials and defeat creatures like Dragons.
Create your own characters, jobs, housing, and other cool features as you play. Join groups or make your own as you follow the storyline. The online game incorporates the same player turn fighting as all the other games in the franchise.
The turn based play is the same as other Final Fantasy games. Level up, pick weapons and attacks, all in online play.
Pick and work with friends or online teammates in order to complete tasks and build skill and points.
16. Tekken 7
TEKKEN 7 - Rage and Sorrow Trailer
Tekken 7 is the conclusion of the Mishima clan saga. Kazuya is avenging his mother and fighting his father Heihachi, who is trying to cause chaos and destroy the family.
You play as Kazuya and have battles in the Tekken fighting style until you reach Heihachi in a final showdown to your fate. Use combos to increase your attack power. Learn new moves and combos as you make your way through the storyline to its conclusion.
Classic Tekken fighting that ties into the storyline, and incorporates skill and strategy.
Kazuya turning into his demon mode before a battle.
15. FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster
"Saving Spira" Extended Trailer - FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster
You’re in a Final Fantasy world called Spira, and it’s on the verge of war.
Yuna is trying to save her people but is also considered a traitor. She eventually runs into a man named Shuyin, who has found an ancient weapon that can destroy all of Spira. He’s in despair that the masses do not understand how dire war can be, so he’s bent on using the weapon to show the people just how horrible war can be. This version of Final Fantasy uses the action time battle so that players dive right into the battle then having to wait for the turn battle mode loads.
The active battle allows for quick play but still allows for players to level up.
The first all female playable cast in Final Fantasy.
14. Corpse Party
Corpse Party gameplay
Their high school was built over the remains of an elementary school that was shut down when students and teachers went missing, or were found murdered. A group of friends decide to make a pact to be friends forever, but instead find themselves thrown into a parallel universe where the elementary school was still intact, and all of the crimes were just getting started.
The goal is to stay alive and to avoid getting killed by mysterious ghosts. Players must find the true ending, and have to start again if they receive the wrong endings from following the wrong sequence of actions. More scenes are also available once the true ending is unlocked.
Ayumi is their high school class president. She creates a friendship spell meant to keep them friends forever, but instead sends them to an alternate ghost timeline.
A young girl haunts the old elementary school, driven mad from years of roaming the halls, looking for who had murdered her.
13. Disgaea 2 PC
Disgaea 2 PC - Official Trailer (Steam)
You play as the last human Adell, in the village called Holt. The evil Overlord Zenon has turned all of the humans there into demons, and their memories of being human have been erased. As you travel to fight Overlord Zenon you meet other people and creatures affected by his power, and they join you to take the overlord down.
The gameplay is done by chapters, and in every chapter there are set battles that must be won to move forward. Move and control your characters effectively in order to win and to defeat the Overlord Zenon once and for all.
Keep track of your stats and your allies as you go through turns in attack mode.
Adell, Etna, and Flonne, with the rest of the characters in Disgaea 2.
12. Tales of Berseria™
Tales of Berseria - "The Calamity and The Blade" Trailer
Velvet and her brother were only children when the Daemonblight sweeps through the land and almost kills them. Their brother-in-law Artorius seems to save the 2 children, and helps to care and raise them in another village. A few years go by, and again the Daemonblight sweeps through the land, but this time its different.
Their brother-in-law sacrifices Velvet’s younger brother, then tries to sacrifice her. She escapes but has a cursed arm, and is thrown in prison. When 3 years pass you play as velvet, who uses her cursed hand to absorb demons and use their essence to attack her opponents. She will stop at nothing until she destroys Artorius for killing her family.
Velvet using her cursed hand to defeat a demon.
Artorius as he preaches a new world to the masses.
11. LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII
LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII Extended First Look Trailer
After being asleep for 500 years, Lightning is revived by the God Bhuniveize, who has plans for the human race. She is to travel through the world and helps to free Human souls from their burdens so that they could be taken to a new existence that the God is building.
Little does lightning know of Bhuniveize’s real plan for the human souls is far different than the god leeds on. You play as Lightning, freeing souls and engaging in Final Fantasy turn battles as you progress through the story. Your fate is tied to the end of the world, and beyond.
The main character Lightning as she confronts an enemy.
God Bhunivelze who revives Lightning, and wants to create a new world for human souls.
10. One Piece Pirate Warriors 3
One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 - The Pirates are back
One piece comes back in another action-packed PC game. You get the option to choose from several characters from different pirate groups to do battle against each other, as well as to play the regular story mode of the main Anime. In this updated gameplay, you can summon up to 4 additional characters to help you do combo attacks against your opponent.
Summon allies during battle to create combo attacks and defeat your opponent.
One Piece pirate melee as everyone battles each other.
9. Tales of Zestiria
Tales of Zestiria - Change the world trailer
Sorey is a young man from the world of Glenwood. He becomes a Shepherd who harnesses the power of the Seraphim in order to rid the world from the Hellions, who are created from the negative energy that comes off of the human population in Glenwood. The mission of Sorey and his friends is to find the Lord of Calamity and stop him from plunging the world into chaos with the hellions.
Joining with different Seraphim’s will give you different abilities, and combining your gifts with varied equipment will also help to boost your attacks. Follow the storyline and level up with each battle until you reach the Lord of Calamity.
Characters Sorey the Sheppard and Mikleo the Seraphim.
Dragons in Glenwood are being influenced by the negative energy sweeping throughout the land.
8. The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Estelle Bright is a young woman who just enlisted into the Bracer’s Guild with her brother Joshua. They are looking to serve the queen Alicia the 2nd and help keep the peace of the land. As Estelle travels through the country she finds out about a group with a plot to overthrow the queen and sieze control of the country. You will have 2 maps that will help navigate your way. The town maps help to find shops and missions while the field maps show you where enemies are. A separate screen follows the field maps, and you battle in turns to level up.
Use the special field maps when attacking to help you in battles and increase experience.
The shops in the villages sometimes double as places to get needed equipment.
7. GOD EATER 2 Rage Burst
GOD EATER 2 Rage Burst - Launch Trailer
The game takes place as a mysterious illness plagues the far east of the country in which your group is sent out to investigate. You are a God Eater, a soldier who works for the Fenrir organization, and are apart of the Blood Eater regiment. You wield a weapon called a god arc, that can transmute into different weapons like guns and swords. You are the only ones who can defeat the enemies, called Aragamis. When your bloodlust is filed you tap into a blood rage, and can increase your attack in order to kill off monsters quickly which helps you to level up.
God Eater Nana is wielding a god arc hammer as she battles an Aragami.
A god eater wielding a large sword. A lot of god arc weapons are twice the size of the wielder.
6. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Danganronpa™: Trigger Happy Havoc — Official Trailer
Hope’s Peak Academy is an elite academy that only the most prosperous of high school hopefuls can enter. Makoto Naegi ends up winning a lottery and getting admittance into the academy, but when he enters he’s hit over the head and blacks out. When he awakens Makoto finds himself imprisoned with the other new students. You’re told that you will have to stay in the academy unless you murder another student, and get away with the murder.
Now Makoto is teaming up with other students and trying to survive another day as they unmask who is behind forcing students to kill each other. Investigate and find clues to help solve the mystery and to free yourself from the havoc of Hope’s Peak.
Pick different students to ask them questions and piece together if they are the killer.
There’s a killer amongst these students that you have to find in order to escape with your life.
5. One Way Heroics
Mystery Chronicle One Way Heroics Announcement Trailer
In the game One Way Heroics, your character can incarnate as different people in different worlds. You keep reliving different lives in different worlds until you understand the mistakes that you keep making. One world that players will encounter is the timeline of King Konrath.
The King brought both peace and prosperity, but then it turned into pain and suffering, and from these problems comes a dark shadow that will kill and devour anyone that comes into its contact. You will play various players who try and stay away from the darkness, and always strategizing to survive another day.
Play as different characters in different worlds and fight enemies along the way.
Keep moving through the game as the darkness eats up and destroys the land of the gameplay and anyone left in sight.
4. AKIBA'S TRIP: Undead & Undressed
Let's Play Akiba's Trip Undead and Undressed - Gameplay
A plague of vampires have been spreading in Japan, where they turn people into creatures called synthisters.
These synthisters steal energy from their prey, and turn people into secluded individuals who hide inside to avoid the sun. A young man named Nanashi was almost turned until a hunter named Shizuku came and saved him from a horrible fate. Now the pair join with their friends to help expose the vampires by stripping them, which exposes them to sunlight. Will they be able to save everyone?
Use different attacks to remove the clothing off of vampires and expose them to the light.
Nanashi walking through the streets looking for vampires.
3. Valkyria Chronicles™
<Valkyria Chronicles™>
The game is set on a map called Europa, and the nation of Gallian is abundant with an energy source called Ragnite ore. When the East Europan Imperial Alliance decide to invade Gallian, the nation calls its militia together to defend the country. Play as Welkin Gunther and Alicia Melchiott, 2 members in the Gallian Militia, who ride in a squad of tanks that are set to defend the nation.
Gameplay is turn based, and you can target your opponents for specialized attacks based on the characters abilities.
Some of the crew from Squad7 of the Gallian Militia.
Battle either in combat or in tanks as you fight the enemy from taking over your nation.
2. LiEat
<LiEat>
You play as the character Efina, who is a dragon hybrid. She’s in a town called Vermilion to investigate some rumors on vampire legend. She is following a mysterious man by the name of Leo, as they search for truth in the legend. Engage in turn battles with monsters, and meet people who will help you find the answers you’re looking for. Choose if Efina stays honest or is a liar in the gameplay. Play the game to unlock the different endings and to learn the truth of the storyline.
The character Efina as she takes a bite out of an enemy.
Efina roaming the streets in the gameplay.
1. Nier Automata
<Nier Automata>
The year is 11945AD, and it’s the 14th Machine War. Humans have deployed their own robot army as they had to flee to the Moon for protection. The female unit is named 2B, and has a mission to kill someone at the a factory. She is accompanied by the male unit named 9S. As they find their target they get ambushed by the enemy named Goliath, who wounds 9S. so unit 2B has a choice, to save the male unit or complete the mission.
9S does survive, only to have even more challenges to await the 2 comrades. The gameplay has multiple weapons like guns and projectiles to choose from, to help the rebel Human army named YoRHa.
9S and 2B are facing off with the drones Adam and his younger brother Eve.
A closeup of the female unit 2B with her Katana.
