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Much of the allure of the city simulation genre stems from the mastery of an array of municipal variables.  While you might sink a township into the ground across the first few playthroughs, gradually you’ll ...

In the United States, terms like ‘liberty’ and ‘freedom’ are quintessential expressions, underscoring an emphasis on individualism. But in Japan, life has traditionally skewed toward collectivism. As such, the word, ‘ganbaru’ is ubiquitous in conversation. ...

During the 1980s and 90s, if you stepped into an arcade, there was a very good chance of finding a Namco machine among the assortment of cabinets. While the Minato, Tokyo-based firm has been around ...

Even the most devoted strategy-role-playing game devotee will admit that there’s not a whole lot of variation across the genre. Instead, distinction is most often made in the subtle divergences from formula, whether it’s the ...

When Americans travel to Japan, they often remark on how safe the country feels. Unlike many parts of the U.S., you’re able to walk freely without the fear of assault or mugging – at any ...

Decades of shoot-‘em-up games have imparted a crucial message to players: the enemy projectile should be avoided at all costs. But that enduring adage get challenged in Graze Counter, Hyogo-based Henteko Doujin’s absorbing sophomore PC ...

1989’s SimCity was an irrefutable work of genius. Although a game built around the idea of urban development might have sounded tedious in description, designating industrial, commercial, and residential areas was as approachable as it ...

As titles like Robotron: 2084, Smash TV, and the sum of the Geometry Wars series have demonstrated, the twin-stick shooter can be a wholly immersive experience. Eluding hordes of encroaching enemies, while simultaneously snatching bonuses ...

In the West, Nihon Falcom’s output is tarnished with the rare blemish. Notably, The Legend of Heroes: A Tear of Vermillion and Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch– the first two entries in the Gagharv Trilogy ...

Occasionally, the industry treats games as disposable commodities to be purchased, played, remastered, and then purchased anew. Fortunately, that’s not always the case, with some efforts favoring an autonomous experience that serves as an outlet ...