Japanese Niche Games Deals & Discussion Thread 4.0

shivan128

shivan128

CAGiversary!
Feedback
163 (100%)
Welcome to the Japanese niche games deals and discussion thread!  Feel free to talk about local and import Japanese games here.  Our goal is to maintain a thread dedicated to active deals on niche games including RPGs, Visual Novels (VN), Shoot'em ups (Shmups), Musou, etc.  Also maintained are pre-orders for standard, limited and collector's edition games with key release dates provided.

I've wikified the thread to make it more friendly and open to others that can actively update with important information. You can find the wiki post directly below this one.

NOTE:  Please, leave the censorship discussion away from this thread.  It's common for japanese games to have questionable content outside of the country.  We want to keep discussions to the game itself and not about cultural/societal tolerance.

A message from Thorbahn:

Our CAG Japanese Niche Games Thread also has a community on PS4, where you can interact and game with other members of the thread.

Our moderators are: Draekon, Las_Hole, and Waffleswanton

You can basically friend any of our members, or any moderator, and you will be able to request to join the community under "Communities friends are in" tab, and a mod will approve your request.

You can also leave your PSN ID in the thread, saying you want to join, and we can invite you directly as well.

As always, have fun and enjoy your stay!

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 5 Downvote
bee01 said:
I have a copy of the first game (Attack on Titan) which says it covers season 1. The AoT2 Final Battle description says it covers seasons 1 through 3 so it’s a bit confusing. I’ll just wait for the Final Final Battle that covers all of the seasons!
Click to expand...
The first season is covered in both games. In the first game you play as a set character each mission, generally the one who is most important to what is happening in the story at the time. In the second game you play through it as your own OC instead.

Furthermore, in the first game you simply go from mission to mission but in the second game there is a whole persona-esque life sim between each mission where you can explore town and work on social links with almost any named character from the first few seasons.

The only reason to play the first game is if you want to play through the story as the actual characters from the anime. It adds a bit more gameplay variety since each character plays differently: like Armin is a crap fighter but he massively buffs the NPCs in your squad, Eren can use his titan form, and Levi is stupidly OP. But the second game has so many combat improvements and new mechanics I think it more then makes up for that.

 
Target has a new 10% off Circle offer going on right now on most video games.  I noticed Saviors of Sapphire Wings & Stranger of Sword City (Switch) is eligible, but Trails of Cold Steel IV (Switch) is not. 

 
Vinny said:
I was finally able to snag a copy but my shipping date is June... yikes.

Also, didn't realize Shantae Half-Genie Ultimate reprint would be sold elsewhere... thought it was LRG only. Would have rather not given them my money for something I could have bought elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Yeah, XSEED's own site had it for sale, along with Amazon (where I ordered a copy). I'm with you, I hate ordering from LRG when there are other options since LRG is one of the few websites that doesn't have a free shipping threshold.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yeah that one was just a distribution deal for LRG.

I think that more or less only their numbered series are exclusives, so you could check to see if it has a LRG #xyz next time you're considering something

 
BlackRockWaifu said:
Anyone playing Monster Hunter Rise?
Click to expand...
A bit late to reply, but I did finally finish off the last of my unfinished hub missions after ~60 hours playing on and off since launch (solo). I love the feel of the game...the combat, traversal, the areas, and how many monsters the game throws at you in the opening hours...but then it's just over 30-40 hours later. Wha? A patch is coming later this month that adds more monsters along with a proper ending but I just couldn't believe it ended so unceremoniously after World and Iceborne. It doesn't help that the game doesn't have Investigations or Events, either. It feels weird to complain after the game has already given me so much playtime but I can't help but be a bit disappointed, looking back.

 
Lithium Flower said:
A patch is coming later this month that adds more monsters along with a proper ending but I just couldn't believe it ended so unceremoniously after World and Iceborne.
Click to expand...
This can't be stressed enough lol. I think this is the first time I've ever played a non-early access game where it literally just doesn't have an ending. Seen some talk online that they had to make some cuts or they would have had to delay the game and I completely believe it. Only saving grace is that Capcom is very good about supporting MH long term so we know the content will be there eventually.

But yeah, you beat the final boss and there is a cutscene about how she isn't really the final boss and.... That's it. No new missions to pick up, the weapon tree still has a column in it that's just a question mark, and there isn't even a second set of credits like usual.

Also not really much of an endgame right now other then grinding talismans. Granted World didn't launch with a very good endgame either but investigations helped add variety to the decoration grind. Rise doesn't even have that which makes it feel stale a bit faster. I'm already at the point where I am starting to just mess around with other weapons since my main set is complete other than a talisman with godly stat rolls on it.

 
BoxPizzaBox said:
Yeah that one was just a distribution deal for LRG.

I think that more or less only their numbered series are exclusives, so you could check to see if it has a LRG #xyz next time you're considering something
Click to expand...
It honestly just sounds like any other LRG distributed release... only noting it's not part of the LRG's numbered release. It just came off as something like the Gris variant cover where LRG was selling a specific variant of the game; in this case a non-collectors edition reprint. But reality seems like this game was just reprinted by Xseed since it's available at multiple retailers and the whole "pre-order only" thing was just BS.

I've been out of it for a long while now so I could very well be wrong and the word of the NS Half-Genie reprint might have been well known.. but even then, I just find that product page kinda misleading.

 
Nabbed Ryza for $40 this morning on Amazon. I decided I'm just going for the full mainline Atelier set from the PS3 up (one version of each game anyway). With Ryza bought, just need Shallie, Sophie, Luluia and Ryza 2 to complete that.

 
I found Robtics:Note for switch at my Best Buy on clearance for 17. They also had the PS4 day 1 version (pins) for 36, but I went with the switch copy.
 
62t said:
No NA physical release. However I am afraid of possible censorship in the Asian version
Click to expand...
Is that confirmed? I recall hearing releases with artbooks, though those could be digital.

I'd consider importing but first need to know all the games and the DLC are on the disc.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mattiful-Joe said:
Is that confirmed? I recall hearing releases with artbooks, though those could be digital.

I'd consider importing but first need to know all the games and the DLC are on the disc.
Click to expand...
Play-asia's site mentions all three games on one cart, but no specifics on the DLC for both JP and ASN.

Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection includes:

- NINJA GAIDEN Sigma (NINJA GAIDEN Σ)
- NINJA GAIDEN Sigma 2 (NINJA GAIDEN Σ2)
- NINJA GAIDEN 3: Razor's Edge
- Classic Costumes
- DLC Costumes

*While supplies last.

Note: Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection comes with 3 games in 1 cartridge.
Click to expand...
 
krzysio87 said:
Play-asia's site mentions all three games on one cart, but no specifics on the DLC for both JP and ASN.
Click to expand...
I would get it for PS4. As for Switch, I'm skeptical they could fit all three on a cartridge. Capcom didn't bother to do that with Revelations because it didn't want to pay more for a larger cartridge. I'd be surprised if Tecmo would handle it any differently.

I like PlayAsia, but I don't trust their preorder descriptions. They get things wrong.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mattiful-Joe said:
I would get it for PS4. As for Switch, I'm skeptical they could fit all three on a cartridge. Capcom didn't bother to do that with Revelations because it didn't want to pay more for a larger cartridge. I'd be surprised if Tecmo would handle it any differently.

I like PlayAsia, but I don't trust their preorder descriptions. They get things wrong.
Click to expand...
That's a good point, I went ahead and checked the website and amazon.jp for any mention of the how the physical was packaged and came up short.

On the other hand, I don't know if both RE:R games would have fit on one cart, esp. when the game came out; Nintendo's website lists them as around 36GB together.

 
Not sure anyone cares but VideoGames 911 on Amazon has the ESRB PS4 version of Disaster Report 4 for $58+$5 shipping which is near msrp. The game has been hovering the $95-$130 area for awile and PS5 does fix the performance issues from the PS4/Switch versions. I was a bit skeptical at first but I got my copy in on Friday and it was legit. I was also pretty happy to find out I claimed the Epilogue DLC back when it was free on release. 

https://www.amazon.com/Disaster-Report-Summer-Memories-PlayStation-4/dp/B07TQ9V2KV

 
Good to know about the PS5 helping. It does help with some games for sure even if it's not an official PS5 enhancement. I noticed Judgement playing better, but I was using a launch PS4, so it may have had Pro enhancements already. I got DR4 digitally though, so I'll have to try it out.

 
krzysio87 said:
That's a good point, I went ahead and checked the website and amazon.jp for any mention of the how the physical was packaged and came up short.
On the other hand, I don't know if both RE:R games would have fit on one cart, esp. when the game came out; Nintendo's website lists them as around 36GB together.
Click to expand...
I'm just going to wait until the game is out so we can know for sure what is and is not on the disc.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Pikagreg said:
Not sure anyone cares but VideoGames 911 on Amazon has the ESRB PS4 version of Disaster Report 4 for $58+$5 shipping which is near msrp. The game has been hovering the $95-$130 area for awile and PS5 does fix the performance issues from the PS4/Switch versions. I was a bit skeptical at first but I got my copy in on Friday and it was legit. I was also pretty happy to find out I claimed the Epilogue DLC back when it was free on release.

https://www.amazon.com/Disaster-Report-Summer-Memories-PlayStation-4/dp/B07TQ9V2KV
Click to expand...
The game also totally rules. Not in a it's a high quality big budget kinda game... It's not. It's fairly low budget, lower quality, buggy and has plenty of frame rate issues. That said I found it to be such a unique, charming and fun experience it was well worth the price of entry. It was very reminiscant of the yakuza game substitutes to me. Bought the game digitally and if I wasn't on a tight budget I'd be all over picking it up physically for that price
 
nitrosmob said:
Good to know about the PS5 helping. It does help with some games for sure even if it's not an official PS5 enhancement. I noticed Judgement playing better, but I was using a launch PS4, so it may have had Pro enhancements already. I got DR4 digitally though, so I'll have to try it out.
Click to expand...
The performance upgrade is pretty transformative. The game runs at 1080p on PS4 uncapped and drops below 30 a ton. It seems locked at 60 on PS5

https://youtu.be/IMVRNJwyIYo

 
Pikagreg said:
Not sure anyone cares but VideoGames 911 on Amazon has the ESRB PS4 version of Disaster Report 4 for $58+$5 shipping which is near msrp. The game has been hovering the $95-$130 area for awile and PS5 does fix the performance issues from the PS4/Switch versions. I was a bit skeptical at first but I got my copy in on Friday and it was legit. I was also pretty happy to find out I claimed the Epilogue DLC back when it was free on release.

https://www.amazon.com/Disaster-Report-Summer-Memories-PlayStation-4/dp/B07TQ9V2KV
Click to expand...

fuck, I've been wanting this game.

 
Damn, looks like I missed out on this. I would've loved to pick it up for that price!  I've been wanting to get it for a while, but can't justify the high prices it usually fetches.

 
So, now Sony hasn't reversed course on closing their digital stores, but they've at least walked back what they originally had planned.

The PSP's on-line storefront will be closing down, but the Vita and PS3 will continue to have digital sales supported. This is good news in general. I would still like to see PSP digital game sales supported for the Vita, but in general we will be losing a lot less from this. Now if we could just get digital PSP and PS1 titles playable on the PS4 and PS5, I'd be satisfied.

 
elessar123 said:
It says $64.88 for me

Edit: Says 2 sold at $56.99 and 1 at $64.88. Probably trying to avoid people canceling the Amazon one.
Click to expand...
Like me. I managed to snag it at $56.98. Yeah, that sucks for other people though. I wonder if they get a better cut from eBay sales or Amazon?

 
heavy liquid said:
Like me. I managed to snag it at $56.98. Yeah, that sucks for other people though. I wonder if they get a better cut from eBay sales or Amazon?
Click to expand...
$60+ for this game is IMHO way too much. Expect the price for this to even out once the CAGers/scalpers are done. Got to try this out; this is NOT a good game.

 
elessar123 said:
I don't think anyone thinks it's a good game. It's the 60 fps on PS5 that pretty much swayed me.
Click to expand...
Of course, folks are free to buy whatever games they want. I will say only that it says a lot about this industry that some customers will buy bad games for $60+ only because they think it will be worth something in the future. I know some folks honestly want to play it, but I'd venture to guess that makes up a small portion of people who are buying this mess of a game that relies on game play stuck in the 1990s.

I've said it before - I can't think of another consumer industry where customers actively buy out bad products at or above MSRP with zero intent to use them based on speculation that those bad products may be worth something down the road. We're talking about items that are made to be played sitting in sealed plastic (and even plastic cases).

Sometimes, I really wonder whether the whole collecting aspect that has invaded this industry is a good thing ... or a terrible, terrible thing that wrongly awards bad games, bad developers, and opportunistic publishers.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
It's fine if you tried it and didnt care for it. But if you just read one page back you'll see a cag who played the whole game and has positive things to say. I picked up a disc-only copy a few months ago after hearing positive things from several people.
 
I liked the PS2 game and figured it would be similar. I read a few other stories of people who really enjoyed it and it being held back a lot from bad performance even if the game mechanically functions like an early PS3 game. I am interested in checking it out but Nier has been shipped lol

 
gospelman said:
It's fine if you tried it and didnt care for it. But if you just read one page back you'll see a cag who played the whole game and has positive things to say. I picked up a disc-only copy a few months ago after hearing positive things from several people.
Click to expand...
Pikagreg said:
I liked the PS2 game and figured it would be similar. I read a few other stories of people who really enjoyed it and it being held back a lot from bad performance even if the game mechanically functions like an early PS3 game. I am interested in checking it out but Nier has been shipped lol
Click to expand...
And again, I'm not knocking on those who actually want to play it. Ultimately, the scalpers/speculators are partly the reason why those folks will end up having to pay inflated prices at/above MSRP for bad (or mediocre) games like this. It's just an observation that I think is becoming more of an issue in this industry as fly-by-night speculators invade in greater numbers looking to make (allegedly) quick bucks off gamers' backs. It sucks that everyone in this industry - from devs to publishers to even so-called enthusiasts - are all just out to fleece the real players. Oh well ... I'm just growing tired of it all. May be this is the last gen for me for more reasons than one.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Atelier Sophie, Firis, and Lydie & Suelle are getting delisted in another day to replace them with the DX versions.

On PC the new versions will NOT support Windows 7 officially, and on PS4 will not support PS Vita cross save. Sophie is also a 32 bit windows application instead of 64 bit so it can run a little bit better on low spec computers. The DX versions add gameplay enhancements and in the case of Lydie & Suelle, provides the entire content of the $80 DLC pack. 

 
I remember someone mentioning either here or in another topic that lost sphear was cheaper if you import it and is in english for the asian release.  Anyone have a link to the page on amazon specifically as I can't seem to find it myself. I think amazon jp was mentioned but I am not sure. 

 
I bought DR4 because I was also swayed by the 60fps performance on the PS5 and the review on the previous page. I always try to buy physical and have had my eye on the game for over a year, but was not going to pay $100+ for the game. So MSRP is fine for me. It's a niche Japanese game, and I'm not expecting a masterpiece. But I love quirky Japanese games, flaws and all.

I do agree with the sentiment of collectors/scalpers buying up low print titles to flip, but that's been a thing for at least 15 or 20 years now. Still sucks for people who just want to play a game.  The past 2-5 years have definitely exploded and driven up prices in the retro collectors market, along with prices for low print current gen games like this and Atelier Ryza soar with flippers. Probably another topic tho.

 
Must have been a reprint of DR4. That seller sold out on his amazon listing and his first listing on ebay. Now he has a second listing with more than 10 available.

 
addicted2games said:
Must have been a reprint of DR4. That seller sold out on his amazon listing and his first listing on ebay. Now he has a second listing with more than 10 available.
Click to expand...
Ugh, sucks one of the few hard to find games I actually have gets reprinted but... whatever. There are so many games going for insane prices physically- I hope more get reprinted (come on Cold Steel and Ys games).

 
I bought the switch version of DR4 because I played the demo and enjoyed it and didn't find anything objectionable about how it ran.  I ended up pre-ordering it though because I figured it would be low print (it is a japanese niche game) and scalpers would make it hard to get it for a reasonable price later.   So, I've adapted to the market and which games I'll risk waiting on.  If I wasn't interested in playing DR4, I would have made the decision at launch to never bother buying it.   As for it being considered a bad game... nah... it was a pretty fun experience.  Sure it's PS2/3 level of gaming... but I don't consider PS2/3 adventure games like this bad.  It is what it is and if you like the series/genre.. then it's worth playing.  But surely a lot of people fear they missed out on something and are snapping up copies as they appear because it got valuable... but really... are you going to play it or is the value on the secondary market a big part of the appeal all of a sudden?

 
shadowysea07 said:
I remember someone mentioning either here or in another topic that lost sphear was cheaper if you import it and is in english for the asian release. Anyone have a link to the page on amazon specifically as I can't seem to find it myself. I think amazon jp was mentioned but I am not sure.
Click to expand...
The Japanese and the recent Asian release are both in English. This is according to Japanese ebay seller. The Asian version actually has a new trophy list.

 
Pikagreg said:
Wasn't the actual PSP store closed down in like 2016 or something?
Click to expand...
I'm a little confused by what they mean too.

I believe their PC software Media Go, while updates were discontinued, still functions. It's somewhat unknown but I would've adored to have had this same function for Vita. You can download your games and media from PSN directly to your PC, keep them there as a backup, and then transfer to your PSP later. When the PSP store on the system was closed I remember this being mentioned as "this will still work", so I wonder if they're finally going to kill it off.

I suppose the second possibility is the removal of PSP content from the PS3/Vita stores?

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top