The Best Open-World Games Set In Japan

When talking about video games, generally people talk about the story, the soundtrack, the combat, or the characters. While all these things definitely make a video game memorable, the setting of a game also plays an important role in differentiating it from others, and giving each game its own unique identity.

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Japan is one of the biggest markets for video games, and the Land of the Rising Sun is well known for its scenic beauty, which can be used to make an interesting setting for a video game. From the Feudal period to the modern era, Japan has changed a lot, and video games can do a great job at creating an interactive medium, so that more people can learn about the beauty of this nation.

The open-world genre is the best way to experience the world of any video game. With many of these video games set in Japan, these open world e arexperiences a treat for fans who are itching to go on a tour of Japan as they get lost in the world, irrespective of the time period.

1 Yakuza Series

Explore The Entertainment Districts Of Japan

If one were to talk about each Yakuza game separately, then the majority of the list would be taken over by this series. This fact is proof of how well the Yakuza games portray Japan and its culture. The Yakuza series takes heavy inspiration from real life places. The city of Kamurocho — the main location where the story of most of the Yakuza games takes place — is based off of the Kabukicho district in Shinjuku.

Over the course of the series, Yakuza allows players to explore multiple fictional cities that take heavy inspiration from real-life Japanese cities. Although the Yakuza in real life are not the anti-hero characters depicted in the games, the Yakuza series stands out as one of the best for experiencing many different parts of Japan across several time periods.

2 Ghost Of Tsushima

The Island Of Tsushima Could Not Be More Beautiful

Sucker Punch’s magnum opus, Ghost of Tsushima, is a love letter to fans of Japanese samurai cinema, as it tells a tale of honor, sacrifice and resilience. The game is set in Feudal Japan on the beautiful island of Tsushima, around the time of the first Mongol invasion.

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The strength of Ghost of Tsushima lies in its world design, where every part of the game looks incredibly beautiful. While the real island is mountainous and primarily covered with forests, the game shows players a different side the location, as it transforms the island into some of the most beautiful open world vistas ever seen in a video game.

3 Ghostwire: Tokyo

Adventures In A Deserted Tokyo

The Shibuya district inTokyo is one of the liveliest and most well-known places in Japan, famous worldwide for its popular nightlife and trendy youth culture. Ghostwire: Tokyo shows another side of this bustling epicenter; a sight that is akin to a nightmarish vision, with empty streets and supernatural forces roaming the once busy roads. The open world of Ghostwire: Tokyo starts off surrounded by fog, which limits movement initially.

It has an upside to it as well, though, as restricting it to a smaller area means players can explore the entire map thoroughly as they make progress through the game. Ghostwire: Tokyo shows a realistic contrast between the urban jungle of Shibuya and the touch of nature that remains surrounding the concrete jungle. From trending locations and neon-lit buildings to tiny alleyways, the game encapsulates the essence of the city immaculately. It is also rooted in Japanese culture and mythology. The attention to detail of this modern snapshot of Shibuya cannot be properly described, and one has to play the game to explore this specific vision of the district, where traces of what used to be humans are now replaced with spirits.

4 Shenmue

A Journey For Revenge

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Shenmue

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Action-Adventure

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Released

December 29, 1999

ESRB

t

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Developer(s)

Sega

Publisher(s)

Sega

Franchise

Shenmue

Platform(s)

PC, PS4, Sega Dreamcast, Xbox One

Genre(s)

Action-Adventure

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The first Shenmue was released over 20 years ago and, for its time, it was an irrefutable marvel in video game storytelling and world-building. While there might be some debate over which game featured the first true open world, Shenmue is considered one of the early examples that sparked the love for open world games among video game enthusiasts.

The first game of the series takes place in the lovely town of Yokosuka, which is filled with street shops, restaurants, and arcades. Players follow the adventures of Ryu Hazuki, who sets out to avenge his father’s murder.

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The revenge story sets players up for an action-packed adventure as they hop around town looking for clues to get one step closer to the culprit. Shenmue features absurd attention to detail, and while Yokosuka is a small town, it is incredibly rich in detail. While walking around the town, players can enjoy the little activities normal people do in their daily lives, such as going shopping, playing at an arcade, and working a job to make wages. Shenmue does things that might feel unnecessary, but ultimately, it makes for an unforgettable experience.

5 NEO: The World Ends With You

Explore The Urban Fantasy Tokyo In Style

Taking another spin around the vibrant city of Shibuya, NEO: The World Ends With You is a not a traditional open world game. While exploring the city, the JRPG will remind players of franchises like Persona or Kingdom Hearts with its art style and musical score.

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The game is full of style and substance, with a brilliant narrative that matches its quirky design and a fast-paced combat. Taking players to a stylized version of Shibuya, the NEO involves a group of teenagers who are forced to participate in a game of death where failure in completing daily missions leads to their demise. This modern JRPG was developed by former developers of Kingdom Hearts. It has garnered a cult-like following and a dedicated group of fans who swear by its quality.

6 Shin Chan: Me And The Professor On Summer Vacation - The Endless Seven-Day Journey

Laid Back Gaming

A spiritual successor to the series My Summer Vacation, Shin Chan: Me and the Professor on Summer Vacation – The Endless Seven-Day Journey is an underrated adventure game.

Shin Chan follows the adventures of the mischievous Shinnosuke Nohara, more commonly known as Shin-chan. The game explores the rural side of Japan as Shin-chan visits his mom’s hometown and childhood friends in Asso, Kumamoto.

The game is made for a younger audience, as the main goal is to fill Shin-chan’s journal with pictures and interesting stories over the course of his vacation. Players are free to explore the countryside without any restrictions. The laid back nature of this game has a charm of its own which can attract players of all ages.

Special Mention: Okami (Hub Areas Rather Than Open-World)

One of the finest games from the PS2 era, Okami is a great adventure that takes players into ancient Japan, where the emperors had total control over the lives of their people and gods would often take on other forms and visit humans. Taking the form of a wolf, players assume the role of Amaterasu, the sun goddess. She is tasked with stopping an ancient evil from spreading through Japan. Players embark on a journey exploring rural Japan drawn on an art style that is seldom used in video games.

The hand-drawn elements of Okami make it a special game, and its watercolour style flows gracefully through its gameplay. Utilizing the Celestial Brush, players can use the entire world of Okami as a canvas, where each stroke is capable of reshaping the world as only the gods can. Be it slashing enemies, changing the time of day, or making dead trees bloom, Amaterasu's powers are beautifully realized.

The game is full of the spirit of Japan, as each corner of the world is inspired by Japanese tales and folklore. With twists and turns awaiting the players along the way, Okami becomes an exciting choice for players who want to explore Japan through its folklore.

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