Probably as a result of my lifelong appreciation for videogames, I’ve also grown to love where much of the industry originated, in Japan. I love sushi, appreciate anime style, and, of course, love playing a variety of videogames.
But there’s one part of Japan that especially speaks to me, despite never having traveled there in real life. That is the Shibuya district. I’ve visited virtually over the course of many adventures. It’s a lively, bustling place, though not one that very many JRPGs have incorporated.
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Thankfully, those JRPGs that did take place primarily in Shibuya have been an incredible assortment. Here are several of the very few elite JRPG adventures set in Shibuya.
7
Persona 5 Tactica
A Dream of Shibuya
Many of us were uncertain what to expect from Persona 5 Tactica. It threw out the rulebook immortalized in the series, and instead provided a tactical adventure with many familiar faces from Persona 5 Royal.
While it’s true the game technically takes place in a dream world of sorts, it’s also true that it’s constructed from the minds of many people who work and live in Shibuya.
Despite the magical realism of Persona 5 Tactica, it proved to be an enjoyable tactical JRPG. There are some startling truths you’ll uncover, as well as enjoying the new additions to the cast.
Not a bad start, but we’re moving from the dream world to the real world environment of Shibuya as we go deeper into this list.
6
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
Digital Champions
In many ways, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth splits the difference. Half of the game takes place in real-world locations, including Shibuya, and the other half takes place in the cyberspace realm of EDEN.
The story is all about a hacker turned detective using his Digimon allies to unearth the truth.
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As for how the game plays, it features over 300 different creatures to collect and digivolve into strong new forms.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth was a strong enough adventure to get a sequel, Hacker’s Memory, but far from the strongest contender on this particular Shiubya-based list.
5
SMT IV: Apocalypse
Post-Apocalyptic Tokyo
I really started to jump into various RPG adventures in the DS and 3DS era, especially since ATLUS released so many of them during that period. One of the more impressive ones was Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse.
As the title suggests, the entire game takes place in post-apocalyptic Tokyo as well as the medieval kingdom of Mikado.
You play Nanashi, the so-called Godslayer, torn between the lure of angels and demons.
Though SMT IV: Apocalypse plays very similarly to the games in the series, it’s still a well-made, dark JRPG adventure. This is not the Shibuya anybody asked for, but it’s one you’ll learn to love.
4
NEO: The World Ends With You
A Surprising Sequel
To say I was a fan of the original The World Ends With You would be a bit of an understatement. But despite how amazing that adventure was, I never expected it would actually get a sequel.
Thankfully, that’s exactly what happened in NEO: TWEWY. Much like the original, it takes place directly in Shibuya, and you get to explore the bustling district in a new 3D environment.
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Thankfully, the game kept the gorgeous cel-shaded anime art style that so distinguished the first game from the rest of the pack.
The sequel does an incredible job of translating the complex combat into a new environment. A really worthy adventure, but we saved the very best for the last three.
3
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
Fire Emblem and SMT Unite!
Platform
Wii U
Publisher
Nintendo of America
Genre
JRPG
Release Date
December 26, 2015
I know that the Wii U got a lot of heat for not having a robust enough library of games, as well as many disliking the Gamepad. But you know what game I played the crap out of? Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE.
This was exactly the sort of adventure I wanted on that console, and it more than exceeded my expectations. Not only did it feature a lovable cast of misfits from both the SMT and Fire Emblem series, but it had gorgeous visual flair.
Not to be outdone, the combat in the game was incredibly fun and gave us some unique new takes on the mechanics commonly utilized in SMT games.
The only real downside to the adventure was that once you rolled credits, there wasn’t much else to do. Though we did get some answers to that in the modernized remake that came to Switch, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore.
2
Persona 5 Royal
Steal My Heart
I just want it on record that outside of this particular list, all of these last entries would be at the top of their own lists. They’re all truly fantastic adventures that I love wholeheartedly.
Persona 5 Royal was one of those games that was worth the wait. I had to wait forever for it to come to the Nintendo Switch, but once it did, I easily spent 100 hours reveling in the adventure.
The Phantom Thieves proved to be the real deal as a dynamic team, which is saying a lot since I’ve loved the teams in Persona 3 and Persona 4 Golden.
What else can I say? Persona 5 Royal is an outstanding JRPG. But the next game is truly an adventure that has completely stolen my heart.
1
The World Ends With You
Neku’s Redemption
Platform
Nintendo DS
Publisher
Square Enix
Genre
JRPG, ARPG
Release Date
July 27, 2007
It’s not often in life that we can point to something that utterly changed the course of our lives. Something that helped us look at the world differently. For me, one of those games was The World Ends With You, or TWEWY for short.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked the game up, and only did so because of a favorable preview piece online. I’m so thankful I read that article, because it led to me getting sucked into this magically bizarre version of Shibuya.
Everything about TWEWY was unique, from the stylus controls to the time-management system to the Pins used for battle. It demanded players learn every aspect of the game and master it, but rewards them every time they do.
If all that wasn’t enough, the game featured a fascinating story and memorable characters. It stood out enough that it got ported to mobile, got the Final Remix update, an outstanding animated series, and finally got a sequel in NEO: TWEWY.
Truly a one-of-a-kind adventure, and the prime reason I am so eager to one day visit Shibuya.
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