IGN Japan's Scores
- Games
For 439 reviews, this publication has graded:
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53% higher than the average critic
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8% same as the average critic
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39% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 3.9 points higher than other critics.
(0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 79
| Highest review score: | Pokemon Pokopia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest review score: | The Quiet Man |
Score distribution:
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Positive: 298 out of 439
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Mixed: 136 out of 439
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Negative: 5 out of 439
439
game
reviews
- By Date
- By Critic Score
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- Critic Score
Exploring the game's main town, which is full of monsters, new weapons and items, is a blast. New discoveries will immerse you into the gameplay, and make you forget about that daughter you have to save.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 14, 2017
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Wattam is unlike any other game when Keita Takahashi's unique sense of humor and world building come together, but don't expect everything to click all the time.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 17, 2019
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If you look at Mega Man 11 as a standalone experience, it’s a fun game. The Double Gear system indeed feels fresh, but essentially, it’s still that same Mega Man you’ve already experienced in countless other iterations.- IGN Japan
- Posted Oct 9, 2018
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Coffee Talk’s atmosphere that incorporates the diversity of Indonesia is worth spending some time in, and the game succeeds in depicting something as mundane as people’s worries and how they learn to move on. That makes Coffee Talk the kind of game that you will actually want to enjoy while relaxing with a cup of coffee yourself. While the story has no great drama or impactful event, the message that the developer tries to deliver at the ending comes through.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jan 30, 2020
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Pikuniku is a relaxing action-puzzle game with a good sense of humor. The interesting mixture of cute visuals and a dystopian world is worth a look.- IGN Japan
- Posted Feb 9, 2019
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Kirby Battle Royale is an extremely simple party game. It shouldn’t be full-priced, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 14, 2017
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Since many of the course layouts have become more difficult, mastering this year’s iteration of WRC will take quite some time. As long as you become able to carefully listen and react to the navi’s instructions, the most exhilarating rally race experience available is yours.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 15, 2017
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While it has its flaws, LOST SPHEAR succeeds in restoring our memory of classic JRPGs, and manages to feel fresh while doing so.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 14, 2017
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The Scion of Arland’s story and gameplay feel like a culmination of the series, and a tutorial system makes it a lot easier to jump in for newcomers. The soft-touch visuals match the atmosphere of the series, but the battle system brings in new ideas without much success. While some events could have been better explained for those not familiar with previous iterations, in the end this entry creates some of the most exciting moments in the series.- IGN Japan
- Posted Apr 29, 2019
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While the user-friendly controls and loose collision make for a comfortable experience, Beats Fever VR lacks in uniqueness, and the visuals can make it difficult to understand what’s going on. Still, if you already have a PS VR and PS Move controllers and you like rhythm games, you might want to give it a try.- IGN Japan
- Posted Oct 8, 2019
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Everywhere in the world, people have fallen in love with this adorable goose and the friendly villagers who never punish it for its pranks. However, the village the game takes place in is way too small, and the harsh challenges that are thrown at you after beating the main game don’t match the cutesy atmosphere.- IGN Japan
- Posted Oct 8, 2019
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Mistover’s characters may look cute, but this is one harsh game. Influenced by Darkest Dungeon, this is a game only for players who are looking for a serious challenge.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 27, 2019
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Yuppie Psycho is an adventure game that depicts an exploitive employer through both comedy and horror. It’s too bad that the actual survival gameplay lacks tension. During the latter part of the game, the concept of the employer loses its importance, and while that might make sense for the story, I found the game’s original concept far more appealing.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jun 28, 2019
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At first glance, Moving Out seems to be a fun multiplayer game like Overcooked, but in reality it doesn’t come close. Sure, it is a hectic game about moving furniture, but the multiplayer component comes off as a very shallow experience. Still, there’s some fun to be had in becoming a rogue mover and throwing around people’s furniture.- IGN Japan
- Posted May 26, 2020
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Taken as a spin-off ahead of the long-awaited Eiyuden Chronicle, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising offers great world-building and characters. That said, the repetitive gameplay mechanics do get in the way of making this a great action RPG that can stand by itself.- IGN Japan
- Posted May 11, 2022
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Jet Lancer is a shmup with a high difficulty level that becomes a bit tedious halfway, and the storytelling is pretty weak. That said, the refined controls do create an exhilarating experience, making this an interesting new entry to the multidirectional shooter genre.- IGN Japan
- Posted May 26, 2020
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With a repetitive quest structure, too many loading screens, and a sense of humor that might not be for everyone, Bugsnax is not a game with the universal appeal its cutesy characters might suggest. That being said, the game’s absurd world and creatures are utterly charming and unique, and the wide variety of bug-catching mechanics are exactly the kind of evolution I had been hoping Pokémon would make for at least 10 years now.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 12, 2020
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Dragon Quest Treasures is a new challenge for this long-running series. It is full of Dragon Quest’s unique charm and delivers a wonderful experience that lasts for many hours. However, altogether the experience feels a bit too shallow. Deeper character development and more monsters could have gone a long here. Still, as a more compact game, Dragon Quest Treasures is a great open world to casually have some fun in.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jan 27, 2023
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It’s too bad that there’s no challenge mode, but an asymmetric multiplayer game based on a movie is an interesting concept itself.- IGN Japan
- Posted Aug 29, 2018
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Tiny Metal's mechanics succeed in creating an accessible war sim like Advance Wars. However, its level design is a bit too much on the easy side and does not offer enough depth.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jan 5, 2018
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The Solitaire Conspiracy’s story about direction – which later transforms into a techno-horror story – is sharp and intelligent. But due to the card-based gameplay’s lack of flashiness and variety, you might get bored before it all comes to an end. While this issue was partially fixed with the Version 1.03 update, there is still work that needs to be done in order to make this a game that has not only literary quality but is also fun as entertainment.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 12, 2020
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With low quality puzzles and unpolished motion for certain objects, Somerville feels rough around the edges when compared with the games that made its creators so well regarded. Sudden twists in the game’s second half feel unnatural, and the multiple endings don’t feel different enough from one another. That being said, the studio’s potential can be felt throughout the game.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jan 27, 2023
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With the environment changing from a factory to a city, The Surge 2 loses its appeal of heavy machinery. With a spiritual story and a confusing map, it was never really clear where The Surge 2’s gameplay or world atmosphere was heading. Luckily, changes in the game’s system are more clear. By making battles less challenging and improving the upgrade system, the game’s dismemberment-focused action has become genuinely more fun. That being said, there are just too many aspects that hold it back.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jan 17, 2020
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 mixes JRPG-like turn-based battles with real-time action. While I was hooked to this combat system, the story’s sudden plot twist felt forced. Although this was hard to ignore, it is undeniable that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an appealing game that delivers a strong message.- IGN Japan
- Posted May 16, 2025
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Bear’s Restaurant’s setting of serving food at a restaurant is an interesting concept for a videogame, and it is beautifully realized with cute Gameboy Advance-esque 2D sprites. While I wanted the story and characters to be a lot deeper, the bizarre twists in the second half of the game still make the journey worthwhile.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 6, 2021
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Space Channel 5 VR is not challenging as a video game, and its exercise mode does not have enough content at launch to offer a serious workout. That being said, reuniting with Ulala in VR will be a memorable experience for fans of the series. If becoming a part of a short but atmospheric musical sounds fun and you already have a PS VR and two PlayStation Move controllers, Space Channel 5 VR is worth trying.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 9, 2020
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Metal Unit is a treasure hunting experience that creates excitement and tension by implementing the risk of losing your items, and it also comes with a light-novel-esque story. While it’s not for everyone, Metal Unit does appeal to a certain kind of gamer. It’s too bad that there’s lots of room for improvement in the Japanese localization.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 6, 2021
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Saeko is avant-garde video game literature. The moment the player learns that they were transformed to their diminutive form by the titular Saeko a few minutes into the game, her true intention becomes clear. While it is graceful that the story branches according to the player’s choices, some of its literary quality can get lost depending on the order in which you experience its multiple endings.- IGN Japan
- Posted May 30, 2025
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While a sandbox game focused on magic spells feels like a fresh adventure at first, it gets old too quickly, and the lack of content doesn’t help. While there is a PvP mode, it doesn’t deliver anything unique to solve the problem.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jan 28, 2020
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This expansion successfully blends the fun of synergy through enhancements of the roguelite genre with the unique action of the Splatoon series. It does lack volume, and it doesn’t offer the player enough opportunities to show off the enhancements they made. The art and sound design are stellar as always, but its presentation falls short and the story is not much more than a sequel to the events of Splatoon 2’s Octo Expansion.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 31, 2024
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Due to the player character’s smooth movement, Severed Steel is an exhilarating FPS experience that will make you fall in love with your own gameplay. It gets a little repetitive, though, and the Japanese localization could be better, but players who enjoy parkour FPS games or bullet-time action should be satisfied.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 16, 2021
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As an official spinoff of bullet-hell shooter series Touhou, Violet Detector. is quite difficult, but both its story and mechanics deserve praise for their design.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 27, 2018
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While Paradise Killer seems like a detective adventure game, it’s not impossible to beat the game without solving the main mystery at all. The game’s climax plays out in a court session, which the player can engage in at any given point. But in order to unveil the true story, you will need to collect countless pieces of evidence and talk to many different characters. This means that you will need to work your way through an inconveniently designed open world, and I often found the game’s scenario hard to swallow. That being said, from quirky character design to Japan-inspired locales and a Vaporwave-like soundtrack and UI, the game’s surrealistic atmosphere is well worth a visit.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 16, 2021
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Eastward’s action and puzzles play things a bit too much by the book, the plot and storytelling don’t really come together, and the dialogue lacks wit. But even with so many negative aspects, the top-notch pixel art is true craftsmanship. These wonderful graphics were enough for me to push through, and perhaps you will too.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 16, 2021
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Blue Reflection: Second Light is an RPG in which a group of girls with lost memories find themselves in a different dimension in which they have to work together to solve a mystery. The main scenario – in which you will learn about the girls’ difficult pasts while seeing them grow as characters – feels satisfactory due to plenty of events throughout the game. While the battle system feels good enough to do the job, it comes with too many rough edges.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 16, 2021
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Visions of Mana succeeds as a new entry in the Mana series that feels faithful to its identity while bringing it into a modern context with beautiful visuals. Cute characters and a casual battle system make this an action RPG that is approachable for newcomers to the series as well. Small inconveniences and flawed UX design are not enough to hold the experience back, but a story that approves of self-sacrifice narrows its appeal as a whole.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 17, 2024
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Black Myth: Wukong’s combat system doesn’t have anything that makes it truly unique. The variety in ways to tackle combat is often lacking, and it doesn’t feel all that good to play either. That said, the concept of creating openings for the enemy rather than exploiting them is interesting, and by rewarding players who take full advantage of the few chances the game gives you, it makes its boss encounters worthwhile despite its lacking combat system. Character customization and exploration is on the thin side too, and the story is hard to follow if you haven’t read Journey to the West. However, the impressive graphics make every moment of the game look like a painting. Experiencing this world based on classic Chinese literature through the game’s unique vision is still worth your time.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 17, 2024
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Dragon Quest VII Reimagined reconstructs the original’s sprawling narrative with a far brisker, more accessible pace. That approach may well represent the optimal solution for guiding modern players through such an enormous adventure, yet it comes at a cost. In streamlining the experience, the game sacrifices some of the strategic depth expected of an RPG, as well as the literary weight of the original’s meditation on the limits of salvation. It is charming and eminently approachable, but the sharp edges that once lingered in the heart have been smoothed away—resulting in a remake that feels exemplary, yet somewhat too well-behaved for its own good.- IGN Japan
- Posted Feb 25, 2026
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An ambitious remake that not only succeeds in addressing many of the original fans’ longstanding grievances, but also reveals a clear determination to pursue its own creative vision. While certain newly added scenes suffer from a lack of sufficient explanation, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties ultimately transcends the label of a mere remake. Instead, it stands as a pivotal work—one that offers meaningful insight into the future direction of the Like a Dragon series.- IGN Japan
- Posted Feb 25, 2026
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Idol Manager is a simulation management game in which you try to exploit idols for profit while protecting them from the darker side of the industry. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be a producer in Japan’s idol industry, this is an experience for you.- IGN Japan
- Posted Aug 30, 2021
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Good Job! is a game that allows you to complete stressful jobs or puzzles simply by completely demolishing the environment. Tearing apart everything you see in an office can be fun indeed, and some of the stages have great design. That said, ironically Good Job! reminds you that destruction can get boring when no one is trying to stop you.- IGN Japan
- Posted Apr 10, 2020
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Different from its predecessor, Life is Strange 2 brings more political themes to the table. Protagonist Sean’s little brother Daniel has supernatural powers, but is too young to distinguish between good and evil, and it is up to the player how you want to guide him. While interesting in theory, this results in a gameplay experience based almost entirely on making decisions, and supernatural elements are not put into use as cleverly as in the original Life is Strange. This makes Life is Strange 2 feel like it lacks focus, because most of its political themes are not fleshed out enough, and the ones that do work don’t really need supernatural elements in the first place.- IGN Japan
- Posted Apr 10, 2020
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With Resident Evil 3, Capcom again succeeds in delivering a game that, as a remake, is nearly flawless. The problem is that the original game it is based on was never so great in the first place. And while there’s some fun to be had with multiplayer component, it’s not clear what Capcom’s main focus was for the package as a whole.- IGN Japan
- Posted Apr 10, 2020
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The Last of Us Part II tries too hard to differentiate itself from its predecessor. While astonishing cityscapes and more varied combat options are great evolutions, Part II lacks the poetic serenity that made the original road-movie-like epic such a masterpiece. On top of that, uninteresting new characters burden the story, making Ellie's journey feel conventional and not nearly as captivating as the original.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jun 12, 2020
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When The Past Was Around feels heavily inspired by Florence. While it is easy to fall in love with its gorgeous artwork and music, its puzzles fail to support to the story’s narrative. There’s definitely a sense of accomplishment when solving the game’s harder puzzles, but they are often utilized as traditional videogame obstacles rather than meaningful tools that contribute to the story.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 28, 2020
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With a campaign that has an interesting story and deep interactions between characters, tons of collectibles and action gameplay that is well tailored to each hero, Marvel’s Avengers succeeds in delivering the appeal of this iconic team of characters in game format. However, access to the game’s modes feels unnecessarily inconvenient, and an often cumbersome UI makes the experience feel less smooth than it could have been. Depending on the updates and new contents planned in the future, Marvel’s Avengers could very well reach its true potential, but at this point, there’s still a lot that needs to be addressed.- IGN Japan
- Posted Oct 13, 2020
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This PS5 entry in the Atelier series delivers gorgeous anime-style visuals, which its alchemy mechanics make it easy to create equipment of the highest rank, making the speedy and dynamic combat a lot of fun. That being said, the game’s design can sometimes feel a bit too much on the user-friendly side, which can make the exploration feel tedious. While most of the story depicts the characters’ everyday lives, be prepared for a dramatic ending.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 28, 2020
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Like No More Heroes, Scott Pilgrim and Kick-Ass, YIIK: Postmodern RPG features a nerd as its protagonist – but it’s nice to finally see one who doesn’t eventually become cool. The game is well presented, with eye-catching toon-shaded visuals, a great soundtrack and a deep story. We would have preferred more strategy in battles, while a few bugs sully the experience slightly.- IGN Japan
- Posted Feb 28, 2019
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It cannot be denied that Daymare: 1998 comes with many flaws, but you have to appreciate what it aims to achieve. Well-crafted locations, a unique reloading system and interesting storytelling are some of the game’s highlights, but since both the game’s story and mechanics take time to get used to, it can’t be denied that those strengths are a double-edged sword.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 5, 2020
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Mutiazone is a point-and-click game set on an island that brings in “gardening” gameplay. The story is moved on by sorting fictional plants in order to create gardens for the game’s characters. This is much more a personal story than a heroic one, and it leaves a warm impression. But while the game makes you think that you are reconnecting the island’s community, it feels like the real issue is being avoided.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 5, 2020
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Home Sweet Home is an unsettling horror experience that uses East Asian religion as its theme. Being pursued by a grim knife-wielding woman is enough to make this a game that will haunt your dreams, but the overly simplistic gameplay and an unfinished story keep Home Sweet Home from becoming an indie classic.- IGN Japan
- Posted Aug 1, 2019
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A new competitive shmup is a rarity in itself, but Rival Megagun can’t quite compete with similar games that came before it. Its simple and casual game design make it a multiplayer experience that is easy to get into, but it lacks depth.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 11, 2018
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Sonic Superstars is a good classic 2D Sonic game that shines especially in its visuals. Stages have a wider array of gimmicks when compared to older 2D Sonic games and boss fights are much more complex. However, the game design can feel unpolished and often doesn’t do a good job in communicating with the player. While the addition of local co-op sounds great on paper, Sonic’s speedy gameplay proves to be a difficult match for it.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 10, 2023
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While its name might have changed, EA SPORTS FC 24 is a new entry in the long-running FIFA series through and through, and you’ll find the series' strengths and weaknesses haven’t changed one bit.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 10, 2023
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While Mortal Shell’s story, volume of content and RPG elements all disappoint, it’s Dark Souls-like close-combat battle system is of great quality.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 13, 2020
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While feeling a bit flat, this soccer game largely succeeds in faithfully portraying Captain Tsubasa’s world and atmosphere. The game’s slow pace can stand in the way of your enjoyment, but both the story and action are of great quality, and there’s a lot of it too. The simple controls make for an exhilarating soccer experience, but it’s hard to deny that the progression of each match largely feels the same.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 13, 2020
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If you look at Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin as a hack-and-slash action RPG, it’s a roughly balanced game with problematic endgame content that isn’t any better in the visual department either, and even its story seems to be a huge disappointment at first. However, if you stick with it, the well crafted battle system and the job system that allows for a wide array of fighting styles should win you over, and eventually you’ll be rewarded by an extremely passionate and overwhelming finale to the story.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 29, 2022
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Katana Zero offers stunning visuals and striking effects, but both its gameplay and story feel incomplete. Including its atmosphere, Katana Zero has a lot to offer, which makes it feel all the more like a wasted opportunity in its current state.- IGN Japan
- Posted Apr 29, 2019
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If you’re looking for an exciting 2D action game, ICEY is not it. However, if disobeying orders sounds fun, ICEY is all about that. In the end, it’s a game that actively wants you to break its rules.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jun 26, 2018
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As a rhythm game Soundart has little originality, and the randomly generated music lacks great rhythm or sense of excitement. That being said, if you enjoy customizing and streaming videos, it might be worth a try.- IGN Japan
- Posted May 7, 2020
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- Posted May 7, 2020
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For a story-driven game, there are just too many inconsistencies in its story. Yet despite this, Yakuza 6 comes with undeniable charm.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 5, 2018
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Boyfriend Dungeon is not only the weirdest game in the love simulation genre, but also the most mature. While the experience is linear and doesn’t provide any real challenge, the concept of spending the summer with a human partner who can transform into a weapon works. The unique atmosphere is worth a try regardless of your gender or sexuality.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 17, 2021
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Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is a Jet Set Radio clone made by fans of that title. It takes what was great from Sega’s classic, but lacks its own style. While definitely a fun game to play and the best clone of Jet Set Radio available, it fails to become anything beyond that.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 5, 2023
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The mysterious atmosphere that Amanita Design is known for is present in Creaks, but it never reaches the heights of the developer’s previous works. In particular, the puzzle gameplay feels old and pulls the player out of the experience. The only part where it feels like Amanita Design reaches its true potential is not the main game, but the collectable paintings.- IGN Japan
- Posted Aug 7, 2020
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Project Wingman is an indie aerial combat game that could easily be mistaken for a AAA title. If playing a flight shooter in VR on PC is your dream, look no further. However, with repetitive gameplay and a story that’s difficult to understand, Project Wingman just doesn’t feel exhilarating enough to make it enjoyable for the casual player.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 5, 2021
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Master Detective Archives: Rain Code has pacing issues and its puzzles aren’t very satisfying. That said, the deep world building and story make up for its shortcomings.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 5, 2023
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After being in development for many years, Indivisible is finally here. The graphics and sound are superb, and it’s fun to play too. However, its difficulty will not be for everyone, and the otherwise high level of polish is undermined by a lot of bugs. Furthermore, it can be hard to resonate with the protagonist’s actions, which creates distance between the game and the player. That being said, the story development towards the end of the game will bring you back into the experience, resulting in a game that is worth playing.- IGN Japan
- Posted Aug 7, 2020
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While Ninja or Die’s core of high-speed jump action is well realized, its 2D rogue-lite level design has many shortcomings.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 5, 2023
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Sword of the Necromancer is a real-time action RPG with roguelike elements. Reviving monsters after you beat them and having them fight alongside you is an interesting concept, but it never fully reaches its potential. The story about two girls - which plays out like a visual novel - is interesting and crafted with care.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 5, 2021
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Atelier Marie Remake: The Alchemist of Salburg is a compact game that allows you to enjoy the series’ unique take on the slowlife genre. That said, the ending is weak and its simplicity can feel unsatisfying at times.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 5, 2023
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Phoenotopia: Awakening aspires to be a retro 2D action adventure, and it succeeds in many ways. The cute sprites and soundtrack are appealing, and there’s lots of great exploration and puzzle gameplay. That being said, some elements bring along unnecessary stress, making the experience as a whole feel like a juicy durian that can only be cracked open with your bare hands.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 5, 2021
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While Lost Judgment’s many systems might not look like much separately, together they succeed in creating a varied experience like no other. With the new setting of a Japanese high school and a story about bullying, the game depicts modern Japanese society in an exaggerated way similar to the Yakuza series while feeling fresh at the same time. However, shallow yet frequent battles and a story that starts to drag in the second half exhaust the player way more than necessary.- IGN Japan
- Posted Sep 23, 2021
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With high quality visuals, Bright Memory: Infinite is about as impressive as independently developed videogames get. Sadly, the controls don’t feel like a good match for the game’s complicated skill system and your character’s low endurance skills. The story offers a great deal of interesting twists and the world is visually stunning, which results in a relatively short but packed adventure.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 29, 2021
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While Asterigos has excellent graphics and music, basic elements like the combat system feel cheap, making the package as a whole feel like an unbalanced Soulsborne title.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 20, 2022
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Having the player advance through environments by rearranging rooms, The Pedestrian succeeds in creating a puzzle game with simple rules that is visually interesting at the same time. The difficulty is always well balanced, and the surprising climax makes great use of the game’s features. Yet, at the same time, The Pedestrian never manages to truly stand out of the crowd, resulting in a game that feels like a role-model student who lacks real personality.- IGN Japan
- Posted Feb 18, 2020
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Valkyrie Elysium’s world and characters based on Norse mythology are fascinating, and its speedy combat is exhilarating. It’s too bad that the title feels like it could have used a little more polish, and the button mapping doesn’t match the game’s systems. The game lacks a bit in volume as well, and its world and characters could have been fleshed out even more.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 20, 2022
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With its new mechanics, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment offers more tactical and refined action than its predecessor, Age of Calamity. On the other hand, the slow pace of unlocking features and progressing through the story gives it an undeniably slow-starting feel. Because it centers on the theme of the Imprisoning War, it offers fewer elements that will excite fans of the original series, but the new episodes told through its original characters are compelling.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 26, 2025
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Bringing unique mechanics from the Shikigami no Shiro series to present day, Sisters Royale is a worthy successor of the vertically scrolling shmup series. Some players might feel reluctance towards the “moe” anime-style characters, but the bullet-hell gameplay itself will satisfy hardcore fans of the genre.- IGN Japan
- Posted Feb 18, 2020
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While the controls leave a lot of room for improvement, Pascal’s Wager: Definitive Edition is a Souls-like game that offers sufficiently high quality.- IGN Japan
- Posted May 10, 2021
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Moonscars lacks the depth you would want from an Metroidvania title in its exploration and character building, but manages to deliver as a hardcore Soulsborne game.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 20, 2022
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While promoted as a mix of RPG and agricultural simulator, in reality Harvestella heavily leans toward its RPG side. While the idea of resource management dependent on the passage of time feels fresh for an RPG, the game's cheap story and presentation, a combat system that doesn’t feel tactical enough and a lack of customization on the farm make Harvestella a game with room for improvement in both genres.- IGN Japan
- Posted Nov 25, 2022
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Etherborn is a surrealistic puzzle platformer that combines gravity mechanics with fantastical art direction. The responsive platforming action comes with camerawork that enhances the experience, making Etherborn a game that is both fun to play and aesthetically pleasing. It is too bad that the number of environments is limited, and the clichéd narration makes these mesmerizing locations feel more common than they actually are.- IGN Japan
- Posted Oct 8, 2019
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fault - StP - LIGHTKRAVTE is the prequel of a visual novel series that started in 2013, but newcomers can enjoy this title with ease. The prequel’s story does feel a bit simple when compared to the main entry titles, but the easy-to-grasp theme of a boy who aspires to become a painter and a world that revolves around fictitious technology called manakravte are more than enough to satisfy those who like sci-fi or fantasy stories with a deep setting.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 4, 2022
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Wolfstride is a Brazil-developed robot battle RPG inspired by Japanese anime. A voluminous story, fun characters, rough and tough dialogue and a unique combat system make this an experience that will stay with you. However, the script is not always consistent, and combat lacks depth. While you will likely have fun for the majority of the game, don’t go in expecting an RPG with deep systems; but give this a try if lowlife punks and robot battles are your thing.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 4, 2022
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While easy combat and a story with uninteresting characters left us wanting more, unique boss battles and parkour-action-focused dungeons were enough to keep us entertained throughout the experience.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 4, 2022
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TOKOYO is a unique roguelite action game in which the dungeon’s layout changes every 24 hours. While definitely an interesting system, we came across the same floors even after 24 hours had passed. The game’s social elements didn’t do enough to give the passage of time enough meaning either, which makes it hard to say that the system has reached its potential.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 4, 2022
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Drainus is a classic shmup that allows newcomers to experience the best moments of the genre. Shooting away with your overpowered spaceship is an exhilarating experience indeed, and beautiful sprites as well as flashy effects make the journey worthwhile. Bosses and stages come with plenty of gimmicks, to the extent that newcomers may be overwhelmed by the richness of the experience. At the same time, the game is so easy that it doesn’t motivate the player enough. While a great title for players new to the genre, seasoned shmup fans will end up craving more.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 4, 2022
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Chronos: Before the Ashes is a Soulsborne title in which your character becomes older each time you die. With well-timed dodges being an important aspect of the gameplay, hit-and-evade style gameplay makes this an experience that is just as exhilarating as it is nerve-wracking. The balance between battles and puzzles is struck well, but while the idea of aging with every death is an interesting concept, it doesn’t work well, as the ways you can level up become more limited the older you become. Furthermore, the idea doesn’t connect to the story either, making it feel like a wasted opportunity.- IGN Japan
- Posted Dec 10, 2020
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With simply the best graphics on the PS VR and realistic gameplay, Everybody's Golf VR makes you feel like a real golfer. It’s a bit too difficult considering the game’s casual appeal, and sadly there is not enough content to keep you swinging your club. The lack of a mode to play against an AI opponent is a critical miss.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 8, 2019
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Koei Tecmo’s attempt to drastically change the Dynasty Warrior series has resulted in a mediocre game. While I appreciated what they went for, sadly Dynasty Warriors 9 does not quite do the job.- IGN Japan
- Posted Feb 14, 2018
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Sailing through the mind of Kay is a very lonely experience. Looking for a solution, you will head into her mind alone, with no real answer to be found. However, playing this game will not just make you feel lonely, since the abstract and ambiguous story will also leave you confused. It’s definitely not a therapeutic experience, but its depiction of loneliness will make you think.- IGN Japan
- Posted Aug 1, 2019
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Code Vein is the kind of game that makes you think it could have benefited a lot from another delay. Animations, sound effects and more are heavily inspired by Souls-like games and definitely feel cheap. The game is not well balanced either, and the level design is especially lacking. Still, it brings interesting ideas to the table, such as a buddy system and the freedom to switch between a wide variety of builds. While there’s certainly a lot of bugs and other issues, if you keep playing, it does actually become fun.- IGN Japan
- Posted Oct 8, 2019
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This walking simulator comes with a lot of reading, making it an experience that should be savored as a short novel. That makes it hard to recommend it to any gamer, and for some the game might feel too expensive given the short playtime. However, think of it this way: it’s cheaper than buying a book and a train ticket and going on a trip by yourself. NOSTALGIC TRAIN offers the experience of a summer holiday through a game in a unique way.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jul 18, 2018
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With its relatively realistic physics, Gravel is a game on the hard side. However, if you are looking for an arcade-like offroad race game, you should be able to appreciate this one.- IGN Japan
- Posted May 8, 2018
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Oninaki has an unbalanced battle system and lacks any guidance through its appealing story. Yet the unique setting and world should be interesting enough for most players to want to see it through.- IGN Japan
- Posted Oct 8, 2019
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Travelling through underwater relics left by mankind before they left Earth is a compelling experience, thanks to great environmental storytelling enhanced by stunning art direction. However, tedious and repetitive gameplay throughout the 5-hour journey makes this experience feel like a good story poorly written.- IGN Japan
- Posted Apr 29, 2019
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Unrefined controls and unclear objectives make it hard to appreciate the fantastical atmosphere, unique flora and fauna, and the language-barrier-breaking story of Fe.- IGN Japan
- Posted Feb 27, 2018
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While it is not bad as an action shooter, lackluster gimmicks and unnecessary characters make both Immortal Legacy’s action and story feel like an unorganized product.- IGN Japan
- Posted Jun 28, 2019
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In the end, fans of the series will be able to appreciate the game's story. But the game has so many flaws that it's hard to recommend it to anyone else.- IGN Japan
- Posted Mar 5, 2018
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