Japanese Games Inspired By Western RPGs

Given the huge hold that gaming has on pop culture in Japan, it’s easy to see why most people would assume that a lot of trends in the gaming industry have been cemented by legendary Japanese companies like Nintendo and Square Enix. However, the inverse is true as well. Western gaming has had just as much of an impact on gaming culture in Japan and around the world.

Some of the best Japanese games players can get their hands on were inspired by the most popular Western RPGs around. These influences were for the best, with players loving how immersive and engaging these video games are.

5:23

Related

25 Best Video Games Set In Japan, Ranked

Apart from offering fascinating gameplay, these exciting video games allow players to experience the Japanese culture and way of life.

8

The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

Exploration Inspired By Skyrim & The Witcher 3

Systems

Released

March 3, 2017

Developer(s)

Nintendo EPD

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

While Link’s classic adventures were engaging in their own way, some people felt like the series was becoming dated. Nintendo’s response was to implement their unique spin on the open-world genre to make Link’s adventures more epic and immersive than ever before.

Eiji Aonuma, the game’s producer, has gone on record to say that inspiration from games like Skyrim and The Witcher 3 went a long way in enriching the traversal in Breath of the Wild. As a result, players can always find something in the distance to explore, letting them enjoy the magic of discovery over and over again as Link becomes more powerful.

7

Dark Souls

Western RPG Inspirations Abound In This Alluring Dark Fantasy

Dark Souls came out during a time when most AAA developers were scared to challenge players, striving to make their experiences as accessible as possible. FromSoftware’s breakout success was the antithesis of this approach, forcing players to figure out their path in a hostile world full of aggressive enemies.

It doesn’t take an expert to see that several Western action games played a huge role in dictating Dark Souls‘ action combat. The focus on difficulty and meaningful punishments for death ensure that this title is tense to experience. Players don’t want to make a single mistake while exploring the wasting kingdom of Lordran.

6

Dragon Quest

Games Like Ultima Set The Stage For Yuji Horii’s Epic RPG

Before the JRPG genre came into its own, Japanese developers were enraptured by Dungeons & Dragons and the games inspired by this tabletop RPG. It was only a matter of time before someone would design a video game that let players embark on a grand adventure with tactical combat.

Related

6 Best Shooter Games Set In Japan, Ranked

In these bullet-riddled, action-packed shooter games, players are dropped in the middle of various locations set in Japan.

Yuji Horii’s work on Dragon Quest slowly but surely turned him into one of the most important figures in the video game industry. Games like Ultima and Wizardry went a long way in contributing to Dragon Quest‘s systems. This game eventually became the first example of what the JRPG genre is all about, and would revolutionize the gaming industry in no time.

5

Bloodborne

Combines Western RPG Influences With H.P. Lovecraft’s Work

Your changes have been saved

My List

My Favorite Games
My Played Games
My Games Wishlist

Bloodborne

Systems

Released

March 24, 2015

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Bloodborne is one of the best video games of all time, and many are pining for a re-release or remake of this incredible title. Miyazaki’s magnum opus retains a lot of the Dark Souls formula, which was inspired by several Western RPGs and action games, along with a heaping of dark, gothic vibes.

The lore and story of Bloodborne are in a class of their own. Players are wowed when its Lovecraftian horror finally rears its ugly head. It’s a must-play game for fans of FromSoftware titles, boasting fast-paced combat and heightened difficulty that makes every boss a joy to defeat, especially if players have been struggling with these foes for a long time.

4

Final Fantasy

The D&D Craze Eventually Led To An Epic JRPG Series

Final Fantasy is one of the most important JRPGs ever made. This party-based adventure cemented the genre’s popularity, pulled Square from the depths of bankruptcy, and established a long-running series that is still going strong to this day.

It’s clear to see that this title’s grand sense of adventure was inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons trend that was gaining steam in the West at the time. Inflating numbers and damage values to make combat feel more impactful did wonders for Final Fantasy and helped the hallmarks of the JRPG genre find their footing in this epic start to the Final Fantasy series.

3

Elden Ring

The Sandbox Approach Takes Notes From Western Games

Elden Ring is one of FromSoftware’s greatest games, utilizing all the elements that made Dark Souls great and combining it with modern open-world design to make for a tantalizing formula. The Western inspirations are more apparent than ever before. Players love the sandbox approach that made it easy to strengthen the Tarnished in no time.

Related

Best Horror Games Set In Japan, Ranked

Japan is a popular setting for video games, and horror titles are no exception. For players who love to get scared, here are some of the best.

A lot of what made Breath of the Wild special can be seen in this title, which in itself was inspired by epic open-world Western RPGs like Skyrim. Elden Ring owes some of its success to Bethesda’s magnum opus, with its rewarding combat and incredible boss fights elevating the experience to a whole new level.

2

Dragon’s Dogma

Skyrim, Fable, & Dragon Age Were Huge Inspirations

Your changes have been saved

My List

My Favorite Games
My Played Games
My Games Wishlist

Dragon’s Dogma

Systems

Dragon’s Dogma is one of the greatest action RPGs fans can get their hands on. Despite being made by a Japanese developer, the Western RPG inspirations in this title are clear as day.

Some of the most notable RPGs are responsible for dictating Dragon’s Dogma‘s development. Titles like Skyrim, Fable, and Dragon Age went a long way in deciding everything from the title’s dark fantasy roots to its open-world design, all of which played a major role in helping Dragon’s Dogma stand out as an incredible action RPG.

1

The Legend Of Zelda

The Ultima & Wizardry Series Were Important For Zelda’s Inception

Your changes have been saved

My List

My Favorite Games
My Played Games
My Games Wishlist

The Legend of Zelda

Systems

Released

February 21, 1986

Developer(s)

Nintendo EAD

Shigeru Miyamoto is one of the most notable video game developers of all time, with his innovative ideas helping the Mario and Zelda games become some of the most iconic franchises of all time. In the latter’s case, this personality named his inspirations that sowed the seeds for a grand adventure.

Titles like Wizardry and Ultima popularized epic top-down adventures that helped Zelda become a reality. In the same vein, the first title lets players enjoy a top-down adventure for the ages where they acquire more items and hearts to slowly become stronger before eventually taking out a massive threat hell-bent on dominating the entire world.

More

10 Western Games That Were Censored In Japan

From Until Dawn to Mafia 3, the following games had to be completely toned down for a Japanese audience.