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日本語/Japanese  Fri 04/13 22:11 JST
Was having another interesting conversation (as one does) re the differences between Japanese and Western produced games. Japanese games that immediately spring to mind are MGS, Final Fantasy, Mario, Zelda etc and Western being Doom, Gears of War, World of Warcraft etc.

For myself, I was brought up on a Commodore 64 playing games which were 64K and took 5 mins to load via a cassette tape!
I first started to get in to Japanese games by getting myself an imported Mega Drive when I was about 16 still back in London. After the Mega Drive it was a Super Famicom, PC Engine Duo etc.
When I got myself a PC about 10 years ago, I did play around with some 3D Starwars games and Tomb Raider. I dont think I really had the chance to really sit down and play a Western produced game for years until Resistance on the PS3.
I know that a lot of you play games but am interested to hear what you prefer if you had to choose. If you were stuck on a dessert island with your favorite games machines and a Candy Girl but had to choose between Japanese or Western produced games, which would you choose?
The Candy Girl is just there to keep you company.
Categories
Polls
Doc in Kansas
Student
Registered on 2007/01/05 13:32
while i .>
(ID #46514) Posted on 2007/04/14 00:37
Joe Kerr
Alone in a desert island... what better place than that to play the Monkey Island games?

Graphic adventures FTW!
(ID #46515) Posted on 2007/04/14 00:42
IdolFan in Earth
Registered on 2007/01/09 12:38
If I was stuck on a dessert island with a Candy Girl, and if there truly was nobody else around, I think I would be playing with Candy Girl more than the games.
(ID #46516) Posted on 2007/04/14 00:48
Tom in サウス フロリダ
Professional Student
Registered on 2006/12/25 13:44
Japanese, without a doubt.  I've always enjoyed Japanese games much more than "Western" games.  The story lines and gameplay have always been better, IMO.  However, I will say that I prefer "Western" FPSs.
(ID #46517) Posted on 2007/04/14 00:50
Huk in SG
Registered on 2006/12/24 11:46
Until the advent of Wii, to me Japanese games are generally 不求上进, you get plethora of clones and improvements are usually marginal with new games, main reasons - the lack of flexibility of the Japanese themselves and the limitations of consoles instead of PC as platforms.
(ID #46518) Posted on 2007/04/14 01:07
Jorge Hinojosa in Guadalajara
There is no vs there is just games and playing them. Having fun is the goa.
(ID #46519) Posted on 2007/04/14 01:22
Haro030 in California baby!!
wanderer
Registered on 2007/01/11 07:21
Gotta go with Japanese games if I was stuck on an island. MGS4 get here quick my PS3 needs you!!
(ID #46520) Posted on 2007/04/14 01:23
Jorge Hinojosa in Guadalajara
sorry about the double post, but here is the L missing in goal.
(ID #46521) Posted on 2007/04/14 01:23
syrix in U.S.
student
Registered on 2007/03/21 09:30
I would be stuck with a Japanese game, maybe something like FF7 to keep me entertained for a very long time
(ID #46522) Posted on 2007/04/14 01:31
Kibbitz in Singapore
Think on average, I probably enjoy Japanese games more. This is largely in part because few western companies are making the type of games I enjoy anymore. It seems like almost everything out there is an FPS or an RTS. I still yearn for turn-based games and fantasy rpgs.
(ID #46523) Posted on 2007/04/14 01:32
Rufus Shinra in 神羅HQ 60th floor, Midgar
Registered on 2007/01/20 01:05
It would largely depend. 
If its just japanese vs western than i'd go for western. If its japanese+korean (aka east) vs west... hmm it might just balace the scale
(ID #46524) Posted on 2007/04/14 01:48
Michael in KL, Malaysia
Japanese games are far more creative & fun compare to Western games. Compare all the western games, you can categorize them into few categories only - FPS, RTS & Sports
(ID #46525) Posted on 2007/04/14 01:57
Registered on 2007/01/14 21:51
Hum..Japanese for sure. 
(ID #46526) Posted on 2007/04/14 02:06
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
That is a question I always wanted to answer to. Thanks for asking!

Well, I was immersed in japanese games since I was a kid (I began with a NES, discovered each first entry of a worldwide series such as The legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., Mega man, Castlevania, Kirby (yup, even the pink puffball)... (Needless to say I am a sucker concerning crossover games such as Super Smash Bros. Melee)

I would also say that I am quite on console game mode only. However I may quit soon as I am not having much interest in the new generation of systems.

To return to the main subject, there are great games made by "occidental" studios: Grand Theft Auto, Halo, Splinter Cell, Half-Life and Counter Strike, God of War to name a few...

My tastes? Manga rather than comics, anime rather than cartoons and japanese games over american ones.

This would be self-explanatory enough...? (But I know that western game players would feel the same about their tastes.) 

And no, I am not judging which one is better than the other. It is merely a refection of my own personal tastes.
(ID #46527) Posted on 2007/04/14 02:15
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Oh yes, Warcraft III was a gem too.

Ah, and another little "Ewww...!!" for Candygirl while I am at it.

I could tell my own personal story of videogames (I just finished an assignment on it tonight by the way!) but I'm sure no one would care about it ;)
(ID #46528) Posted on 2007/04/14 02:19
Subaruhess in Portsmouth, UK
Registered on 2006/12/24 22:37
American/european games have become too mainstream, not enough hardcore pure games are being produced. Japanese game designers are far more creative with video games, my absolute all time favourites are Viewtiful joe & fire emblem.
(ID #46529) Posted on 2007/04/14 02:44
Alafista OTAKU in Singapore
Singapore Customs
Registered on 2006/12/25 11:34
Definately Japanesee games, I bought my playstation 2 because of MGS, and I'm intending to get PS3 immediately when MGS comes out again.

Considering the fact that on a deserted island there wouldn't be any internet connection, I wouldn't be able to play those awesome mmorpg like World of Warcraft. Otherwise, it would be okay to be stuck on an island and just play an mmorpg for the rest of your life. LOL
(ID #46530) Posted on 2007/04/14 02:56
Tragic comedy in Singapore
Animator/ graphic designer
Registered on 2007/04/10 22:55
I would pick a good japanese game that would keep me hooked for a long long time to keep my mind off the desserts. :D
(ID #46532) Posted on 2007/04/14 03:07
the1iam in 新嘉坡市四美町3区
大学生
Registered on 2007/04/12 04:09
Even though there are many western game than Japanese ones, the Japanese games are more enjoyable and have longer playing time and replay value. One example is Final Fantasy X. Took me several weeks and have yet to finish it.
(ID #46533) Posted on 2007/04/14 03:52
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
I would easily choose Eastern games over the other.  Why? Because I like how most eastern games concentrate hugely on the story and development of the characters as opposed to most Western games.  Also, eastern games are more fun to play, well for me that is. :D
(ID #46534) Posted on 2007/04/14 04:06
chojin in USA
LAN Guy
Registered on 2007/03/25 14:49
Fighting games.  It's all about fighting games.
(ID #46535) Posted on 2007/04/14 04:07
Ledezman in San Jose, Costa Rica
Programmer, Student
Registered on 2006/12/25 09:01
I play World of Warcraft a lot xD
(ID #46536) Posted on 2007/04/14 04:09
darkie in your TV :o
Slacker
Registered on 2007/01/29 03:34
I would go for Japanese dev because of the art style in the games. I dont find Western graphics as appealing :d
(ID #46537) Posted on 2007/04/14 05:49
Edward in Michigan U.S.A.
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
Registered on 2006/12/24 12:02
Japanese games without giving it a thought.

I had American systems when I was in high school was quickly bored with the games.  My freshman year in college I worked in a game shop that rented games.  I bought a Japanese game system, and the rest is history...

Commodore 64, I had one of those too.  You would get towards the middle or end of the cassette and get an I/O error and have to start over... doh!  I remember my Franklin the most.  It was an Apple ][ clone.
(ID #46539) Posted on 2007/04/14 06:09
Anjerasu in Malaysia
Hikikomori
Registered on 2007/04/13 15:33
Well Western games are more have the spotlight as people around the world would recognize the product while as for Eastern/Japanese games it's usually focus to those who started of with playing consoles since the Nintendo/Sega era. But when it comes to storyline, like yeah I do like Eastern concept while if you just wanna get some good butt whippin' I guess I'll go for the West. That's just how it is now. 
(ID #46540) Posted on 2007/04/14 06:44
Bayonette in Manila, Philippines
College Student
Registered on 2007/03/14 20:26
I prefered Eastern Games because of it's storyline and its weird but unique gameplay.
(ID #46541) Posted on 2007/04/14 06:51
Gundam Otaku in Tropical Singapore
Student
Registered on 2006/12/30 22:16
Hahaha..ONE sentence..Japnese game got Super Robot Wars and G Generation...American don't have..And thats the bottom line..:D
(ID #46542) Posted on 2007/04/14 07:20
Being a fan of Japanese RPG's I'd surely pick a game like Xenogears, or Final Fantasy VII...
I'm not so happy with the latest generation games, but if I have to pick a game among them, I'd take Shadow Of The Colossus or Resident Evil 4...

And yes, they're all Japanese... =)
(ID #46544) Posted on 2007/04/14 09:55
Dan in Alberta, Canada
Eastern games all the way. Most of the juggernaut titles out there are from the East. Naming FF, MGS, DMC, Armored Core and Tekken. I also admire one Korean's mmorpg, Silkroad Online(SRO). Because of SRO, i don't have to purchase WOW. 

I can stay on an island for few months if Wilson is beside me ^^
(ID #46545) Posted on 2007/04/14 09:56
becky lee of KNC in pasadena, sokal
webmistress/ ceo
Registered on 2007/03/17 11:19
love eastern style RPG

love western style FPS
(ID #46546) Posted on 2007/04/14 09:59
CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal
Student
Registered on 2007/01/03 02:12
Each zone has it's difference type of game, as of eastern games like japanese and korean center more around rpg or mechas like final fantasy, armored core, gundam....... As for Western games there are the fps who rules (for me) Unreal tournament, Counter Strike and the rts like warcraft, starcraft...... I like all, I love final fantasy but sometimes I need to release stress in a good UT match 
(ID #46547) Posted on 2007/04/14 10:00
Scavenger in Netherlands, in the city of Hilversum
Student
Registered on 2007/01/07 03:23
I see that some people here are prejudiced, saying that Japanese games are inspired etc, but that's actually not true since loads of Japanese are uninspired crap with shitty stories. For example: Role Playing Games, 2D beat em ups, Dynast Warriors, mecha games, oh and let's not forget the HUGE amount of shitty adult games. Hell, I don't even  see a original game such as Little Big adventure (This game NEEDS a third part!) and Assasins Creed coming from a Japanese developer! Japan is even more game sequel crazy than western country games (The only western sequel crazy company is EA and there are more in Japan)! I'm not saying that western games are inspired, because it has a great amount of uninspired MMOFPS, FPS and MMORPG, but do not forget that Japan also has an great (Maybe even more than Western countries) amount of uninspired games that can be best used as frisbees.  

As for the question, I'll take a western game, because more western games have a higher replayability than Japanese games. 




   
(ID #46548) Posted on 2007/04/14 10:20
adenread in US
bum
Registered on 2007/01/31 16:02
LOL. Stuck on an island with WoW....is there anything else i need?
(ID #46549) Posted on 2007/04/14 10:35
thewrinklyninja in Shipley, UK
IT Tech support, Mac Evangelist
Registered on 2007/03/14 18:12
hmm, can I have 2 choices?. For RPG and Adventure I would probably go east. but for action and thrills, I would probably go west.
(ID #46550) Posted on 2007/04/14 11:04
kaito kun in Hong Kong
student
Registered on 2007/06/11 16:31
japanese becuz i like to play gundam games ! ..
(ID #46551) Posted on 2007/04/14 11:15
CyberSynaptic in Northern California
Lab Technician
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:10
Since the most of the good games in the genres I love (RPGs and Fighting) come from Japan, I'll definitely go with the Far East.  The only West games I've truly enjoyed lately are sports games (Madden & NBA Live) and maybe the occassional Star Wars game (KOTOR is awesome).
(ID #46552) Posted on 2007/04/14 11:24
Nhumchan in Bangkok, Thailand
Absolutely japanese games because I like styles and gameplay, I think they are charmer more than western.
(ID #46553) Posted on 2007/04/14 11:30
OMNI Strike in Glasgow, UK
In my last year of High School
Registered on 2006/12/25 02:24
it just has to be japanese. the games dont have as much chessy dialogue.
(ID #46554) Posted on 2007/04/14 11:39
Shasui in Norwich UK
Im a bit mixed on this one Im a big fan of mecha games(we need more mecha games) the best mecha game I played ever must be Heavy Gear 2 witch was from the west... then there are the RPGs like FFVII and FFXI and also MGS2 is a good one all east

so its realy hard to take sides....

(ID #46555) Posted on 2007/04/14 11:46
Akiraman in RIDGE RACER City
Designer & Animator
Registered on 2007/01/11 23:52
Seeing the poll i think visitors to this site are more Eastern Gaming oriented.

Stuck on a desert island with Candy girl huh? I choose Eastern Games!!
DS with "Doki Doki Majo Saiban" I will play with candy girl too...

Well I prefer Japanese/Eastern Games even if there are comments like "there a lot of sequals and same old genres". I dun seen many new inspired new games from the west same old war shooters & mediocre characters designs. The Eastern/Japanese games have a more appealing artstyle and characters.
Plus there is eroge... i wont get into that... ^^

Also Generally Eastern Games appleal to the west as well not the other way around :)

But having said all that, i do enjoy some  Western games like Diablo, Warcraft and the C&C Series. And RESISTANCE has a more interesting story, compared to Gears of War :P
(ID #46557) Posted on 2007/04/14 14:19
Hachiko in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Student
Registered on 2006/12/26 11:13
i would go more to the japanese games, their just better in the story line, graphics, etc... some western games are decent like god of war and such... but most western games are... meh.
(ID #46558) Posted on 2007/04/14 15:10
Logi in Murcia, Spain
Only FPS,RTS? There is a lot of western games with great story, Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II, Icewind Dale, Monkey Island Saga, The Longest Journey, Dreamfall, Broken Sword, Broken Sword II, The Elder Scrolls Saga, Deus Ex...

I love some japanase games, but say that western games have not got history...
(ID #46559) Posted on 2007/04/14 16:09
X-Gear in his room
College student
Registered on 2007/01/18 17:00
Well i do like both because i play both almost equally until i saw my game binder, its filled with jap. games so i guess i like jap games more.  Jap. games is filled with stories
(ID #46560) Posted on 2007/04/14 16:14
Hayden in London, UK
Custom Pc Builder, Muppet, Pyromaniac, Demolitions Expert
Registered on 2007/01/06 05:53
Most peopl fail to realise that apart from EA Games & Infinity Ward (the dudes who made Call Of Duty series)
& maybe a few smaller companies which will sooner or later be bought out by EA (since EA did buy out pretty much everything including Infograms:- who made a lot of stuff for the Windows 98 platform & codemasters:- The guys who made TOCA touring cars also for the windows 98 platform) even as we speak I will bet that EA sports is secretly planning to take over then whole of the WESTERN gaming industry as we know it & make it into some sinister evil looking creature like a.......cat

& then you will have japan with all her programmers that will continue to write great games & compete against the evil sinister creature otherwise know as EA games which will be reaching for world wide monoplisation of the gaming market. & I once saw in a documentary that some japanese software programmers dont get paid a lot so they go work in america (it was either about China or Japan but it was definitly one of the two)

Japan will ALWAYS produce great games, I have faith in japans programmers. they will always try to push bounderies to try & get the best out of everything graphics or game play wise.but saying that.....

Im a man & man has needs.....I'l take a candy girl please!
(ID #46561) Posted on 2007/04/14 16:15
Arekusu in The Lost Woods
Dai Gurren Dan member
[f] 
Registered on 2006/12/31 18:24
I would definately choose Japanese made games, because if there was a new Zelda game, Japan would get it first and i wouldnt have to wait :D

But in general i find Japanese games are better made, and there isa  wider choice, but don't get me wrong, i love my western games aswel ^_^
(ID #46562) Posted on 2007/04/14 16:28
Kirby in WA
Well, if it were a dessert island, at least I wouldn't starve :p

I'm with Joe Kerr - give me the LucasArts Library and some MMO's and I'd be set.
(ID #46563) Posted on 2007/04/14 16:39
shi in 604
Registered on 2007/01/18 05:22
Japanese games hands down, there is NO way western games can matchup
(ID #46569) Posted on 2007/04/14 18:07
kaeze in Melbourne, Australia, Earth
Illustrator & Designer
Registered on 2007/04/09 18:37
Oh I have that watch, a Nooka Zub zot 38 white! :)
(ID #174840) Posted on 2008/04/24 19:35
Gav in Northumberland, UK
Tech support
Registered on 2006/12/26 05:38
Eastern Games, definitely! Resident evil/ Biohazard, MGS1,2,3 and 4, final fantasy, the list goes on - Eastern games companies take games more seriously because its a lot more culturally accepted, whereas western games tend to be much of a likeness to one another.
(ID #46570) Posted on 2007/04/14 18:34
SG in UK
Art/Media Student (Wannabe Illustrator)
Registered on 2006/12/28 05:39
Is'nt this a Otaku Port site? Then more users would probably choose Eastern (which happens to be...)

I myself chose eastern gaming because the game materials and such. For example, Digimon/Pokemon, Majority still love 'em, and that its produced from Japan which means imports and such, more love that style (like Anime) the more to lean to Eastern game right? (I'm wrong at the same time, D: )

But still, Majority likes western games also. Such as Warcraft, I still play it. Going to hook up with others and do battle (tonight).
But hey, a poll is just peoples opinions D: (dude..I'm digging a hole for meself lol...)

Anyways, No arguement here, GO EASTERN GAMES! (Love the story line in the games :D )
(ID #46572) Posted on 2007/04/14 20:12
CyberSynaptic in Northern California
Lab Technician
Registered on 2006/12/25 19:10
Wouldn't Candy Girl eventually melt in the hot island sun?  I guess you'd have to keep her in a nice shady spot under a palm tree.  I'm actually curious how many changes, if any, happen when a Japanese game gets localized for English speakers.  For example, is what Yuna and Co. saying in Final Fantasy X in English exactly the same as what they're saying in the Japanese version, or did they "Westernize" the dialogue to appeal more to English-speaking people?  I sometimes wish that they would include a dual language option on video games so you can choose what vocal you want to hear (similar to most North American DVD anime releasees).  The only game I remember where you can change between Japanese and English dialogue is Soul Calibur II.  I would've loved to play Final Fantasy X and Kingdom Hearts in their original Japanese voices with subtitles.  I'm actually hoping that if they ever bring Super Robot Wars Original Generations for PS2 to the US, that they keep the hot-blooded Japanese voices intact.
(ID #46573) Posted on 2007/04/14 21:47
Danny Choo in Tokyo
Director/代表取締役
Registered on 2006/12/11 11:06
CyberSynaptic,
Dont know about FF but the PS3 allows you to set your locale for menu options. If the producer included Eng and Jpn tracks then you would be able to choose.

SG,
I guess it was an unfair question ^^;

Hayden, Akiraman, Adenread, Idolfan,
I see you need more Candy Girl coverage - more soon ^^;;;

The wrinklyninja,
Is your avatar a picture of you? ^^;

Anjerasu,
Been waiting for your kabuto cosplay pics for ages.

Edward,
I/O error - I remember that!

Alafista,
This dessert island will have a 1G internet connection ^^;

Jorge,
It was more of a question of what you personally prefer...

Doc,
While you...?
(ID #46575) Posted on 2007/04/15 02:16
dw2k6 in United Kingdom
Unemployed
Registered on 2007/01/29 13:12
to be honest, western games are in a very bad state at the moment.
(ID #46580) Posted on 2007/04/15 04:02
-XYZPDQ in Pennsylvania, United States
Student Engineer
Registered on 2007/01/01 14:12
This one is a no brainer, the greatest games to come out of Japan (Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Metal Gear Solid) are some of the best titles ever created or conceived.


There is a consensus in the west that games should be developed for the hardcore gamer, however Nintendo for the past decades has released easy-to-know titles that you can relate to- say Zelda. Anything fun to play, that is usually out of Japan will become a smash hit with the west, because it is new. 


Don't get me wrong though, games like God of War and a few others (Tom Clancy games) are some of the creme de la creme of Western developed games. I hated World of Warcraft (and try to avoid most MMORPGs since today most of them are cookie cutter, and allow little freedom) but played Star Wars Galaxies for four years (western developed).


Japan is the land of interesting things, and out of a interesting land comes fun and creative games, at least that is how the west sees it as a general populous. Even since I was younger, Nintendo has made a name of themselves for creating fun and innovative games, even continuing flagship series that are so much fun. Kudos to Nintendo!
(ID #46584) Posted on 2007/04/15 05:26
Scavenger in Netherlands, in the city of Hilversum
Student
Registered on 2007/01/07 03:23
@-XYZPDQ
You do KNOW that Metroid Prime 1 2 and 3 are American games, unlike all the other Metroids?
(ID #46587) Posted on 2007/04/15 07:22
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
At Scavenger: Don't take that offensively, but did anyone really care about the story in beat 'em all (2D and 3D alike), shoot 'em ups or mecha games? It's all about destruction, let's admit it. The rest is secondary.

Some RPGs are uninspired (I would like to express myself on how much I hate FFVIII -nothing good came out of it in my opinion-), all right, but not all of them.

Eroge are basically not official games (and there are quite a number of adult games in the West too, they just are more hidden), so I feel that is out of the question.  

I feel that there are more Star Wars based games than Gundam ones, seriously...

Well, I should return to Fire Emblem before anyone thinks I am prone to flaming... that I am not.

(ID #46589) Posted on 2007/04/15 13:35
presagiador in Dominican Republic
Student
Registered on 2006/12/25 14:28
Well, it's eastern games for me all the way although i've been enjoying God of War lately. As a guy who grew up playing Sega and Nintendo consoles i just don't find FPS or MMORPGS that engaging. God of war it's a kind of game that i can enjoy because although it's a western game i think it's made with the philosophy of eastern gaming,
with cool cinematics and incredible action and in my opinion western developers lack those kind of ideas.
(ID #46594) Posted on 2007/04/15 16:19