Summary
Most RPGs from Japan, orJRPGs, have a Japanese flair to them. They depict what they know, which is also true of many Western studios like BioWare. However, some Japanese developers have gone outside their comfort zone to create worlds and characters based on Western themes, places, and characters.
It could be subtle or overt, and Japanese developers have been doing this for decades in short spurts. North America and Europe, particularly the U.K., are two big examples that can serve as inspiration. This merging of worlds dates as far back as the NES. These are some knockout JRPG examples with Western backgrounds, ranked by how well they portray Western society and how good the games are in general.
The Wizard of Oz: Beyond the Yellow Brick Roadis an adaptation of theworld of Oz, which began American author L. Frank Baum’s famous series of novels starting in the early 1900s. This DS turn-based JRPG was developed by Media.Vision, who some may know from theWild ArmsandValkyria Chroniclesgames. It was a different take on Dorothy’s journey through the land of Oz, with her party going after elemental witches who governed each territory. This isn’t the only Japanese take on Oz either, asCode Name: S.T.E.A.M.is another example.
Live A Livewas an SNES game that then evolved intoan HD-2D remakedecades later for consoles like the Switch. It’s an episodic turn-based RPG that goes through various eras of popular history. For the West, there is a prehistoric story starring a caveman named Pogo, and a literal Western starring a vagabond named the Sundown Kid. Other eras of note include the Middle Ages and feudal Japan. It’s not completely based on Western areas or themes, butLive A Liveis still worth mentioning due to its episodic nature, which wasn’t popular in this era of gaming.
Wild Arms 3was the first game in the series to be released on the PS2, and is like a culmination of the franchise. Every game in the series is based around the ideas of the Wild West Frontier through a fantastical approach, butWild Arms 3went full Old West with its character designs, desert-like regions, horse-mounted combat, and more.
Players can choose to play as Virginia, Clive, Jet, or Gallows. Once the starting character’s prologue chapters are finished, all four characters will join as the main party members. While not based anywhere in the U.S., Wild West fans will surely eat up this cowboy RPG.
EarthBoundis another game heavily inspired by Americana, but is not explicitly set in the U.S. Instead, the party explores the weird world of Eagleland, where one wild character appears after another. The game tackles themes of the 1960s era, like the Hippie movement, cults, biker gangs, the rise of technology in modern cities, and more. What if the Charlie Brown character got dropped into a JRPG adventure? That about sums up thevibes ofEarthBound.
Pokemon SunandPokemon Moonare theseventh-generationPokemongames, which hit the 3DS and were granted sequels too. The region of Alola region is based on the islands of Hawaii and takes note of cultural touchstones like surfing and tropical designs to make the game truly pop. Classic Pokemon like Raichu and Exeggutor were even given Alola forms to give them a new lease on life.
This isn’t the only timePokemonhas incorporated Western-inspired settings. The fifth generation of games,Pokemon BlackandPokemon White,were set in Unova, another region based on the U.S., specifically New York City. The eighth generation games,Pokemon SwordandPokemon Shield, were set in Galar, which was based on the U.K.
Shadow Hearts: From the New Worldis the first game in this list based directly on an American point in history, the 1920s. It starts in New York City and involves a young detective, Johnny Garland, looking into some mobsters.
The game eventually shifts to the more arid regions around Las Vegas. It takes Native American culture into its core themes, from dungeon designs to characters. TheShadow Heartsfranchise is known for mixing aroundWestern history, including Europe, and altering it for turn-basedadventures.Shadow Hearts: From the New Worldwas sadly the last entry.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealthis the eighth main entry intheYakuzaseriesand the second to star the new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. It’s the first to be set mostly in Hawaii, although there is a prelude section still set in Japan along with some later segments.
Overall, this is a real Hawaiian adventure. Ichiban gets to explore sandy beaches, tour the streets for nightlife like hula dances, and, of course, fight in Job-based turn-based battles. There was a direct sequel,Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, which also featured this region of Hawaii but as a pirate game starring the ever-lovable rogue, Goro Majima. Will the nextYakuzagame stick to Hawaii, go back to Japan, or visit another nation?
Parasite Evetakes place inNew York Cityin its then-present day: the late 90s. Players control a detective, Aya Brea, who begins investigating supernatural occurrences around the city. Despite monster outbreaks, the characters are stereotypical cops players could find in a drama like NYPD Blue. It nailed the 90s vibe of cop dramas and brought forth some gruesome Japanese body horror to make it a memorable hybrid of East meets West. The second game moved things to the Nevada desert, while the third and final game returned to New York City. Of the three,Parasite Everemains a must-play.
