Please recommend me some non-Japanese games.

Well, I decided that as some kind of birthday resolution I will try to play some games that are not developed in Japan. You know, as some kind of change of scenery or to remove my ignorance or even just to reinforce the reason why I only play Japanese games!

Anyway, I want non-Japanese games, that are crucially released on a console in Japan. That is important - as I only have Japanese systems.

I have "all" the consoles so any games that you feel would sell Western games to me are very much appreciated.

I took the liberty of making a quick list of games that symbolise Western games to me, that have been released in Japan, that I think I will be getting to fulfil this little scheme of mine.

Tomb Raiders - PS
Magical Hoppers - PS
Halo - Xbox
GTA - PS - I figured I would play the first seeing as it looks better to me in screens than the rest.
Mortal Kombat II - PS
Civilization - PS

Seems odd that most of the Western Games I am aware of are on the PS - anyway, please add to my list with games you think I have missed out on. I really have just not been paying attention for so long - I don't know where to start.

 

Second Sight for PS2, Xbox or PC is absouletly excellent. Also if you've never played the legendary fps's you may want to grab them (games like Deus EX and System Shock 2).

 

Indigo Prophecy (US name) / Fahrenheit (UK) is out on PC, Xbox, PS2, not positive of JP release, but it is around for PC (its not some graphics pwnzors game so)

 

Hmm, Second Sight does not appear to be released in Japan. Kind of a prerequisite, as while I want to check out Western gaming - I do not want to buy a new console or mod an existing minty console just to play it!

Ditto for System Shock 2. No Japanese release, I think.

However - Deus Ex - invisible war has been released on the Japanese Xbox, so I shall add that to my list. I do remember hearing this game's name connected with greatness - so I'm gonna give this a go - at the right price.

Borman - Indigo P is out in Japan on PS2 as Fahrenheit. Cool Stuff, seems to be rated pretty highly.
ASSEMbler - I always thought that Ape Escape was a Japanese designed game - given that most of the staff are Japanese (quick search later)http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/data/196614.html. Oh well I have the sequel at any rate. And a good laugh it is too!

 

If you like Deus Ex - IV, try Thief III for Xbox/PC as well. Great game, better than DX even.

 

Rayman 2 was a great announced Jump and Run back in the days...from Ubisoft, France

 

oh come on... no one recommended psychonauts? that game is awesome , what about mmm.... you like fps? counter strike/half life/battlefield 2/call of duty 1-2/ and thats about it really...

 

Then there ya go, that was my game of the year for last year i believe.

 

Isn't that developed by SCEJ? ;p

 

(Sorry - should have mentioned - I have no gaming level PC. I have a shitty laptop for doujin games, e-mail and essays.)

So that leaves me without - thief and psychonauts (no Japanese release).

However, counter strike was put out on the Japanese xbox on the World Collection range. Battlefield 2 was also released on PS2. Surprising!

As for liking FPS - I don't really know! I played Doom when I was younger, but I have just missed out on the whole FPS scene as I have just played Japanese games for 99 percent of my gaming life. I am definately going to give one a go, I just feel like I may be missing out (I may be totally wrong!). But I am willing to try and I don't believe I have the right to eliminate a whole genre till I have given it a solid go.

EDIT - Fahrenheit looks like it is certainly worth getting - check the Japanese site http://www.atarijapan.com/fahrenheit/index.html and listen to the radio show. I didn't even know this game got a solid review in famitsu. Talk about having one's head in the sand!

 

The ending isnt the greatest, but man, the game keeps you on edge the whole time. The music, the atmosphere, and the characters! All are amazing. It makes me want to play it again ><

 

I would pick up the Splinter Cell games. Well designed and well written.

 

'Psychonauts' is certanly worth picking up (get the xbox version over the PS2 one if you can).

'Oddworld: Strangers Wrath' for the XBox is also very enjoyable (though short).

'Beyond Good & Evil' is one of those games, like Psychonauts, that almost no one bought but everyone who did enjoyed.

 

Hmm, shame I can't play this Psychonauts/Beyond Good and evil without a new PC or pal/US console. Anyway, lots to go on here. I'll see what I can grab for a good price, the rest will have to wait till this summer in Japan.

Anyone want to recommend any slightly older Western games? I have been out of it for a long time.

(BTW just thought of two more games I always wanted to play while doing some Kanji - Seireki 1999 and also Discworld on Japanese PS - because I love the Terry Pratchett!)

 

PS2 / Xbox - Mercenaries (by Pandemic / Lucas Arts. Very good war game)
PS1 - Warhawk (US) / Air Assault (JAP) (Warhawk RULES!)
PS1 and PS2 - Ape Escape series (It's great, but i still have to get one. The 3rd one has a parody of Metal Gear Solid that's just too damn fun)
PS1 - Panzer Bandit (i know you don't want japanese games, but this is great)
PS2 / Xbox - Beyond Good and Evil (great game that got forgotten)
PS2 - Jak , Ratchet & Clank and Sly Cooper series (great platformers)
PS1 - Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2, Crash Bandicoot 3 and Crash Team Racing. (The good ones, made by Naughty Dog)
PS2 / Xbox - Burnout series (if you like racing games, you owe yourself to have these)

 

Xbox - Forza Motorsports
Xbox - Breakdown (I think this one might be japanese developed, not sure)
Xbox - Lego Star Wars (I'm pretty sure i saw an asian release for this, it's the best game of this generation)

 

Not sure if you have a PS2, but GTA: Vice City. Much better than San Andreas.

 

Going back to some old N64 titles, you've got your old staples like Perfect Dark and Goldeneye 007, as well as some of my favorites Shadows Of The Empire and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. Not sure if Rogue Squadron got a Japan release though, but I was pretty sure it did.

Also, there's Metroid Prime and Rogue Leader on Gamecube, both amazing games.

 

Johnny - (OT) Already have the excellent Panzer Bandit, great game. I actually prefer it to Guardian Heroes because I love to air combo!

Forgot about ol crash bandicoot! Definately add the first game to the list and go from there. Ditto for Jak and Clank - nice to see there is quite a bit to explore.

And who knew it, Lego Star wars has a Jp release! I might just have to take your word on this one Ace, can't say it screams quality game at me, but I can't judge till I have played.

Phinn - I figured I would go for GTA from the first onwards (if I like it) - plus the original GTA was released for about 1400 yen on a reprint so it should be pretty cheap!

Greatsaintlouis - Goldeneye is one of those games I have, but have never, ever played. I got it in a deal, but have never even bothered to put it in the 64 because I figured I would probably hate it. So time to dig it out and give it a chance. I think I have 2 more star wars games on the 64 unplayed as well. The racer and Rogue, time to shatter my prejudices (as soon as term ends). Damn! I have Perfect Dark as well, forgot about that - totally unplayed as well.

And of course Metroid Prime needs a play at some point.

The real problem is getting some of these games now, it is certainly going to be hard (if not expensive) to find some of these - given most of them were amazingly unpopular in Japan! I will have to wait till this summer to get games like Civilization and Tomb Raiders.