JPgamer

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JPgamer: Demon Gaze is an Unabashedly Old-School Dungeon Crawler

In this week's JPgamer, Pete delves into the strange, wonderful and suspiciously grid-based world of Kadokawa Games' Demon Gaze, coming soon to the West courtesy of NIS America.

Sept. 13, 2016 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: The Fine Art of the Earworm

One of the most readily apparent ways in which Western and Eastern games differ is the matter of musical soundtracks. We take a look at how they differ, and some favorite examples of music from Japanese games.

July 31, 2016 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: In Search of Door Number 9

In this week's JPgamer, Pete delves into his backlog to explore one of the most interesting games on the Nintendo DS: Chunsoft's visual novel-cum-room escape adventure Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors.

July 31, 2016 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Producing Perfection

The latest in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series sees the goddesses trading their swords for microphones. Does it really produce perfection?

June 4, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: The Art of Penmanship

Is the perception that video games -- particularly those of Japanese origin -- have "bad writing" a particularly helpful or fair criticism? Pete ponders the matter, and manages to get a mention of Squid Girl in there in the process.

May 28, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Do Not Pursue Lu Bu

Omega Force and Koei's tactical action hack-and-slash series Dynasty Warriors has hit Steam in the form of Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition. Pete, a lapsed Dynasty Warriors addict from the PS2 era, checks it out.

May 14, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: A First Look at Croixleur Sigma

Sporting possibly the least-pronounceable name in video game history, Nyu Media's latest release on Steam, out today, is an enhanced version of a doujin hack-and-slash title. Is it worth your time?

April 30, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: From the Folks Who Brought You Steins;Gate: Lovecraft Meets Giant Robots

The recently localized Steins;Gate may be Nitroplus' most well-known work, but an earlier title from the developer is still a fascinating read for those of you with strong stomachs.

April 23, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Gone in 30 Seconds with Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming

In this week's Japanese gaming column, a look at the sequel to one of the most peculiar RPGs of all time: Half-Minute Hero: The Second Coming.

April 16, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: First Impressions from Steins;Gate

Pete's been playing the long-awaited official English localization of Nitroplus' well-regarded, mind-bending visual novel Steins;Gate. Was it worth the wait? El Psy Kongroo.

April 2, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Vote With Your Wallet

Sega has announced that the follow-up to Project Diva F for PlayStation 3 and Vita is coming to the West later in the year, proving beyond any doubt that if you show your support for something, you'll get more of the things you like.

March 26, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: How Gust Made Me a Fan of Crafting

In this week's JPgamer, Pete looks at the work of Japanese developer Gust, and explores the company's curious emphasis on crafting.

March 13, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Life and Hometown

In this week's installment of our weekly Japanese gaming column, Pete takes a look at the controversial Senran Kagura Burst for 3DS. Is there a game worth playing beneath all the fanservice?

March 5, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Go! Go! Nippon!

In the last of our Dating Sim Month posts, Pete checks out Overdrive's interactive travelogue/visual novel/dating sim hybrid Go! Go! Nippon! My First Trip to Japan, a recent release on Steam.

Feb. 26, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Kira Kira

In the third installment of Dating Sim Month, Pete looks at a coming-of-age visual novel that is full of surprisingly emotional moments -- it's Overdrive's Kira Kira.

Feb. 19, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPGamer: Dating Sim Month: Magical Diary

It may not be a Japanese game in itself, but Hanako Games' Magical Diary is a great example of not only a traditional dating sim model, but also of "otome games" aimed specifically at female players.

Feb. 12, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Dating Sim Month: Aselia the Eternal

February! The month of love! What better time to indulge yourself with some virtual romance courtesy of Japan's fine selection of relationship-centric titles? Snuggle up and get cozy -- this week we take a look at visual novel/dating sim/strategy game/RPG hybrid Aselia the Eternal.

Feb. 5, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Bullet Heaven

With shmup specialists Cave seemingly pulling out of the West, what better time to have a look back at some of their best work? Three, two, one, go!

Feb. 5, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Games You Thought Would Never Make it West #1

Although an official announcement is yet to appear, it looks very much like Compile Heart's Monster Monpiece is coming to the West. But what on Earth is this crazy game that some thought we'd never see in English?

Jan. 15, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: About the Bravo Bikini...

The rather good upcoming JRPG for 3DS Bravely Default has had a few changes for its Western release. But were Nintendo and Square Enix right to make those changes?

Jan. 8, 2014 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Victory, After a Hundred Hours

Some eight months after its original release -- and 112 hours of gameplay later -- Gamindustri is safe once again. Pete shares some final thoughts on Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory.

Dec. 18, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Another Number Nine

This week on JPgamer, Pete gives some first impressions on 999's follow-up, the 3DS- and Vita-based visual novel-cum-adventure game Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward.

Dec. 11, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: 2014 is the Year of the Chibi Spinoff

Next year, two very different series are getting two very different games... with one very similar art style between them. Behold, chibi Persona and chibi Neptunia. Warning: extreme cuteness ahead.

Dec. 4, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Love for the Fans

In this week's exploration of Japanese gaming and game culture, we take a look at the phenomenon of games specifically designed to allow fans to engage and interact with their favorite characters and properties like never before.

Nov. 20, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: I've Poured Too Many Tears

In this week's roundup of all things Japanese gaming, we take a look at Narcissu, a free indie visual novel hoping to get on Steam, plus Idea Factory International's site launches, there's an Atelier anime on the way, and Sega has a pleasing announcement for Hatsune Miku fans.

Nov. 6, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Deadly Resolution

This week on JPgamer, we ask why console-to-PC ports so often suck from a technical perspective, plus news on Ys, Legend of Heroes, trapformer Eryi's Action and not one but two dating sims.

Oct. 30, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: A Real Page-Turner

With the Steam release of Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos, the first pure visual novel to hit Valve's platform, we explore this quintessentially Japanese means of interactive storytelling and what gaming at large could learn from it.

Oct. 24, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: The Third Wave

This week in our roundup of all things Japanese, we discuss Nyu Media's "third wave" of doujin titles for PC, a great value bundle of Japanese indie games, some new footage from the Atelier Rorona remake, Tales of Smartphones... plus pigeons and ponies.

Oct. 16, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Dragons in Your Pocket

This week in our roundup of all things Japanese, we talk the Dragon Quest I-VIII iOS ports and what Idea Factory International are up to, plus news on Drakengard 3, that Dengeki Bunko fighting game and a Kickstarter that may be of interest to dating sim fans.

Oct. 9, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: What's Nyu with You?

This week in our roundup of all things Japanese, a spotlight on doujin publisher Nyu Media, plus news from Gust, Compile Heart, Sega and Square Enix -- including a Final Fantasy XIV announcement sure to please long-serving classic JRPG fans.

Oct. 9, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: The Next Generation

In this week's round-up of all things Japanese, we ask where all the Japanese next-gen games are, and there's news on Guided Fate Paradox, Idea Factory, Bunny Must Die, "Western JRPG" Septerra Core and a teaser from Treasure.

Oct. 4, 2013 Pete Davison

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JPgamer: Record of Hatsune Miku War

In our inaugural roundup of all things Japanese gaming, we talk about our Hatsune Miku review, the arrival of Agarest on PC, new details on New Atelier Rorona and the explosive charms of Sweet Fuse. Join the conversation!

Sept. 18, 2013 Pete Davison