Before the pandemic hit, my family and I were in the beginning stages of planning out an incredible trip to Japan and South Korea. The rest is history, as they say, since we were unable to go or even have an idea as to when the trip could even become a possibility again. Travel restrictions are understandably the biggest hurdle, but our own comfort level with the idea of traveling is an entirely different beast. There’s also a lot to be said about the overall experience and not be limited in what we’re able to take part in on our trip, at least as much as we can do so safely.
I’ve been to both countries before, but that was 20 years ago (which makes me feel VERY old even saying that). I’m sure much has changed since I was there, but Japan especially has always been a place I’ve wanted to get back to. Although it’s certainly not a substitute for the real thing, I’ve been playing a lot of games that are set in Japan - both in modern and historical times - with Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin being the caveat that gave me the idea of if I can’t go to Japan, maybe I can try and bring Japan to me.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin provided me with an experience that I was not at all expecting. Platforming through the 2.5D levels feels great and the combat is fun, but it’s the low-key 3D, RPG portion of the game that truly draws me in. The process of cultivating rice is something I never knew I wanted. Yet, here I am, taking time out of my day to jump in for a few minutes at a time to harvest rice on the modest plot of land set above the clouds in the beautiful hills of Hinoe Island. It reminds me of when I was on the bus with my group as we weaved through the cliffsides overlooking hundreds of rice fields that were peaking through the low-hanging fog. It’s a memory that’s clear as day in my head. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin allows me to keep reliving it.
Kandagawa Jet Girls
Kandagawa Jet Girls is a title that brings me a modern, if not slightly fantastical version of Japan. Racing through the rivers and water-filled canals of the city is fun, but I love just taking in the sights of the bridges and buildings that fill out the background of each race. Despite dealing with my first bout of jetlag, walking through the streets of Fukuoka still stands out vividly as the first place I was able to explore in Japan. Kandagawa Jet Girls and the sport of jet racing might be set a bit more in the future, but it’s not too difficult to draw parallels of the city setting with modern-day Japan.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The modern-day sentiment extends to a couple of other titles that I have yet to play (they are currently in my ridiculously long backlog), but I feel will keep me satiated in experiencing a digital version of Japan. The first game is Yakuza: Like a Dragon. The game is currently installed on my PS5, and it’s likely to be the first one that I start to play in my free time. I’ve never played a Yakuza game before, but there’s something about Like a Dragon that stands out. Maybe it’s just that it’s the most recent game in the long-running series that features the current city stylings of modern-day Japan. Or, maybe it’s just the fact that our review of the game did enough to convince me to play. It may have plenty of fantastical elements (primarily related to combat, it seems), but it definitely seems like a title that will provide a fun (albeit slightly dark) city experience.
Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories
The other title is admittedly a bit of a weird choice, but Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories is also a game that piqued my interest in terms of immersing myself in Japanese culture. Granted, I’d prefer not to have to experience it following a natural disaster, nor would I wish that experience on anyone. I think it’s just the interaction with the NPCs that has me interested in playing. Meeting and making decisions with other citizens who are just trying to survive… there’s something very human about Disaster Report 4 that has me wanting to play, especially since my most genuine decisions will take place during my first playthrough, ultimately determining the outcome of the game.
I have to imagine that I’m no less than a year or two away from making my dream of going back to Japan a reality. It’s just not worth the risk right now. Plus, I want my family to be able to experience as much as we can without being limited by social distancing protocols, or even worse, closures. When the world at large is able to open back up, that’ll be when I make the move. For now, I’ll take in my Japanese experience via video games (with plenty more titles than the ones mentioned in this article), regardless of how much of it might be based in fantasy.