Summary
A core part of a video game, or any story for that matter, is the setting. Fictional worlds are a dominant form of storytelling, yet creating a narrative that takes place in real-world history is just as viable. There is a lot of human history for any game to adapt, and Japanese history is one such domain that many games dabble in.
Feudal Japan has spawned many beloved and famous elements, from movies, to video games, to comics. The setting is a hotspot for action games, given the abundance of conflict during the period. However, there are also video games set in feudal Japan that don’t involve as much action, but can still offer a great experience.
Team Ninja, as a Japanese company, has a history of making games associated with Japanese culture and elements.Rise of the Ronintakes place hundreds of years ago, during the 1800s.
Players can explore the open world using thenormal weapons associated with Japan. The combat is fast-paced and action-oriented, as per usual for Team Ninja. The gameplay is like a combination ofWo Long: Fallen Dynasty/Niohmixed withGhost of Tsushima, fighting across the increasingly modernized landscape of Japan. Players can traverse the quieter countryside or the bustling urban areas.
TheYakuza/Like a Dragonseries is best known for taking place in contemporary Japan. Often set in Tokyo, the series also visits various other locations for the story’s locale. However,Like a Dragon: Ishin!takes a different approach as a spin-off. It is set over a century ago, when Japan began to open up to the world.
As a result, there are various aspects of modernism as well as traditional Japanese elements. Most notably, players can usevarious swords, as well as firearms. It might not be as early in Japanese history compared to some other games, but it should be experienced for anyone looking for such a game.
Capcom has a history of creating games with a fixed camera angle, andOnimusha: Warlordsis another title to fall under this category. Set during Japan’s Sengoku Period,Onimusha: Warlordsplays like a combination of earlyResident EvilandDevil May Crygames.
Players travel through tight, concise areas, with movement speed, item usage, and puzzles reminiscent of aResident Evilgame. The combat is mainly executed via melee, reminiscent ofDevil May Cry’sswordplay. Players battle against various types of enemies, ranging from easily defeated, to challenging adversaries. These enemies drop different souls that are used as money or as currency to upgrade weapons, or that can restore the player’s resources.
While feudal Japan might bring about connotations of the action genre, what with the samurai and warring,Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogunis instead a real-time tactics game. Set in feudal Japan but after the unification of the country, the game revolves around a plot to dethrone the shogun and overthrow his rule.
The game involves various characters for the player to control, and the main gameplay mechanicis stealth. Each of the various characters has different abilities to use, varying from the kind that can kill enemies, to more support-based abilities, such as a disguise or distraction.
The firstNiohgame has a unique approach to its story. Set in the year 1600, players don’t play as a Japanese character, but as an Irish character. However, it is filled with the same high-octane action that other Team Ninja games are filled with.
Players fight their way through the game by facing human and yokai enemies, using a vast array of weaponry. The game has light elements fromthe soulslike subgenre, with dodging, stamina conservation, blocking, among others. This gameplay takes place in an alternate dark fantasy version of Japan, including notable historical Japanese figures. It’s perfect for anyone who loves challenging, fast-paced action games.
ThesecondNiohgameis a prequel, taking place before the first. Set in the 1500s, players journey through the Sengoku Era, meeting notable historical Japanese figures throughout.
The gameplay is similar to the firstNiohgame, with fast-paced and high-octane action, fighting against numerous foes, be they human or yokai. There is ahuge amount of weaponryto use, spanning across different weapon types, such as swords, spears, rifles, bows. For fans of feudal Japan, and especially those who enjoy Japanese mythology,Nioh 2definitely deserves a playthrough.
TheTotal Warseries has involved itself with different historical settings as part of its many games, with Japan being a location for some of the entries.Total War: Shogun 2returns to Japan after the first game, and is played as a strategy game where players control their forces.
The gameplay features two distinct modes: one where players control their forces and land through turn-based strategy, and one where players control their forces directly via real-time tactics. Players have an array of elements to manage, including the construction of settlements, the prosperity of the economy, the continuation of the military, the growth of technology, and religious beliefs. Players play as one of the various clans, where they can unlock different military units to help further their success.
There have been various games set in feudal Japan over the years, andSengoku Dynastydeals in such a setting very directly. As stated in its name,Sengoku Dynastyis set in the Sengoku period, making for a prime game for anyone that wants to play something set in feudal Japan.
The main aspect of this game is the city building. Players can build a village, cultivate it, and see its prosperity. However, there is also combat across the open world that players can explore. It is also available in multiplayer, perfect for those that wish to attempt surviving feudal Japan in a group.
The core premise ofGhost of Tsushima’splot and setting is the Mongol invasion of Japan. Attempting to first invade Japan by taking the island of Tsushima, the story involves the protagonist, Jin Sakai, attempting to fend off the Mongol forces by whatever means necessary.
The game lets playersfight with numerous weapons, such as a katana, different bows, and various small tools called Ghost Weapons. Players can explore the island of Tsushima and accept quests, discover shrines, relax in hot springs, and generally appreciate the stunning beauty Sucker Punch managed to portray.
While not the most historically accurate portrayal of feudal Japan,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicestill takes place hundreds of years ago in the country. Filled with Shinto and Buddhist symbolism, players will be tasked with exploring a region of Japan in order to complete a grand quest for the protagonist’s master.
As a FromSoftware game, combat is a main focus. Players fight numerous human enemies, such as samurai and shinobi, as well as fictional beings, such as spirits and ogres. And of course, there arelots of bosses. The game portrays what historical Japan was like in a darker aspect. It is a grim and gloomy world, but one that still shows off the historical aspects of the country.
