Games like Valkyrie Profile are getting more prevalent

By Jenni Lada // 8.12.198.11.19

Some games have a rather unusual way of conveying information and taking people on an adventure, and we then see that mechanic mimicked. Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution and GuitarFreaks led to games like Pump It Up and Guitar Hero. Tri-Ace’s Valkyrie Profile is a similar sort. It’s an RPG, but blends in platforming and a more active interface for engaging in attacks. But, as interesting as its ideas were, they didn’t really influence other games at the time. Rather, it took years for other titles to start picking up on the concepts and attempting to integrate them into their own experiences.

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Which Atelier trilogy should you play?

By Jenni Lada // 6.17.196.16.19

There are a lot of Atelier games out there, and Gust keeps adding to the lineup with new installments in the main series and spin-offs to keep track of. It is a lot to deal with. Also, the major installments tend to come out in trilogies, which share storylines and sometimes gameplay mechanics. One line might not be as interesting for specific players, but another could be a perfect fit. So, instead of just going with recommendations of best or worst installments, let’s see if Michibiku can’t help you find certain trilogies that might fit your needs.

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Video: Calcolo! is a puzzling import shoot-’em-up

By Graham Russell // 9.20.189.19.18

Most games make you choose between shooting ’em up or matching ’em together, but not Calcolo! This obscure import tries to do both at once, and… it actually works, for the most part! Check out our video for a quick overview.

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What do you need to know about Jake Hunter Detective Story?

By Jenni Lada // 9.17.1810.26.18

Adventure games and visual novels have been gradually gaining popularity outside of Japan. Thanks to series like Ace Attorney and visual novels like Hakuoki, people seem to be more comfortable with doing a lot of reading while sitting in front of their favorite console. It also means now might finally be a good time for Jake Hunter Detective Story to make its mark. This established adventure series is well established in Japan, and it might just be poised to find a place for itself in other regions after 2018.

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Video: Dropping blocks and breaking hearts in Tokimeki Memorial Taisen Puzzle Dama

By Graham Russell // 9.12.189.11.18

The enormous popularity of Puyo Puyo in Japan caused many, many competitors to try their hand at creating a falling-block puzzle franchise, and there weren’t many to find as much success in gameplay and domestic longevity as Taisen Puzzle Dama, Konami’s attempt in the genre. Let’s take a look at a signature entry — one tied to another Konami franchise that found a lot of fans in its home country!

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Video: Learn about time travel (and English) in EMIT

By Graham Russell // 8.30.1810.26.18

Language learning is a big part of import games! If you can pick up better comprehension skills, a whole new world of games will open to you. So today we’re looking at EMIT, a game that helps you do just that!

Um, if you’re Japanese and need to learn English.

It’s a cool thing to check out, though! Do just that with us.

PS1 Video

Video: Sanrio met Picross in Hello Kitty Illust Puzzle!

By Graham Russell // 4.19.184.18.18

Jupiter may have just revealed its latest project, Sanrio Characters Picross, but this new, late-life 3DS release wasn’t the first time Hello Kitty showed up on the nonogram stage. No, no, Graham and Jenni are here to show you Hello Kitty Illust Puzzle for the original PlayStation!

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What do you need to know about SaGa?

By Jenni Lada // 4.9.185.24.18

It is a great time for fans of Square Enix’s SaGa series! Romancing SaGa 2 was ported to multiple platforms and released worldwide. SaGa: Scarlet Grace was the first new entry in the series in over 11 years when it was released on the PlayStation Vita in Japan in 2016. Basically, it feels like it is experiencing a renaissance. Which means it is a good time to review what makes it so special.

PS1 Video

Let’s PlayPlay: PurePure 1, Volume 11 (April 1998)

By Graham Russell // 4.5.186.8.18

Let’s take a trip back in time! Twenty years back, to be exact. In this edition of Let’s PlayPlay, we look at the April 1998 edition of Sony’s Japanese PurePure demo disc series, showcasing some choice PS1 titles.

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