Being inspired by a piece of media is beautiful on its own. However, being inspired and then going on to make something based on that media is just simply masterful. Most of the time, anime seems to be the main source behind many creative projects, including several films and TV shows. However, there’s one medium that’s directly influenced by anime the most: video games.
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It isn’t surprising that developers look toward anime for the inspiration behind creating their video games. Anime and video games go hand-in-hand, bringing audiences mesmerizing stories and worlds that they can get lost in. You’ll find that most of these games are adaptationsof iconic series.‘However, there are also unique games based on anime that stand out on their own.
10Serial Experiments Lain
Based on the anime of the same name, Serial Experiments Lain was exclusively released for the PlayStation 1 in Japan. The game is a graphic novel at heart, being more dialogue-centric above all else. Ultimately, it’s an interactive story that allows you to be deeply involved in Lain’s life.
The information featured in the game is given to you out of order. And this may seem a bit intimidating at first. But, as you trek further into the game, you’ll find that piecing together the information makes the story understandable. In the end, the Serial Experiments Lain video game achieves in being a fantastic game that stays true to the anime.
9Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
With animated sequences produced by Studio Ghibli, there’s no doubt that the firstNi no Kunipays a wonderful homage to the anime genre. Following the story of Oliver — a boy on a journey to search for a way to bring back his deceased mother.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchis an incredible open-world RPG that features colorful environments to get lost in. There’s also a childlike atmosphere that’s felt throughout the story, which makes sense because of the developers striving to appeal the game to children. Cozy and just plain fun, Wrath of the White Witch showcases a story made with love and care.
8Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Those who love pure gameplay with anime-centric elements will adoreXenoblade Chronicles 3. Its vast world lets you come across characters that make the story immersive. The game seems to be inspired by harem anime, and its romance is one of the many reasons behind its blossoming plot.
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Exploring Xenoblade Chronicles 3 plays a big part in enjoying the game. Beautiful environments and hidden areas that enhance your experience are scattered throughout the game. But these are just a few reasons the game is so charming. Even though there are countless debates on which game is the best in the franchise, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 stands out as one of the greatest.
7Neon White
Neon White is a special kind of game. It is a great combinationof an FPSand a platformer with gameplay that encourages you to move as fast as possible. Speedrunning plays a big part in getting this game nailed down, as the swift mechanics pack a huge punch. Your only weapon is cards that act like guns, letting you effectively sweep through an area.
While you’re not trying to quickly kill the demons that litter your path, you can involve yourself in its exciting story told through a visual novel format. It overall wildly intertwines with a fun story and stimulating gameplay as it forces you to reach your objective as quickly as possible.
6Astro Boy: Omega Factor
One of anime’s most beloved robots gets the spotlight in this beat em’ up video game. Astro Boy: Omega Factor follows Astro Boy’s classic tale of being brought back to life as a robot after a tragic car accident. The story is told with a movie-like progression with its flow and noir-like visuals.
Gameplay-wise, Omega Factor is simple as it focuses on consistently battling a horde of robotic enemies with the various weapons you have at your disposal. However, the boss battles can come as a shock as they’re a bit tougher than normal foes. It’s on the shorter side of things, but the experience of playing it can stick with you forever.
5Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories
Taking place in Ancient Egypt, Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories is a challenging game at first. But, when you finally finish it, it’s one of the most satisfying things out there. It plays just like a typicalYu-Gi-Oh!card game, with various elements to combine in your deck, such as Fusion cards.
Interestingly, farming and grinding for specific card sets is key to getting by in this game. This especially rings true with defeating the bosses that you’ll come across, the battles feeling almost ruthless at times without having the best tools around. If you’re thinking about playing Forbidden Memories, it’s important to note that it isn’t to get your hands on with its high price tag nowadays.
4Attack On Titan
Also known as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom, thisAttack on Titanvideo game adaptation is perfect for any fan of the iconic anime. It is a hack-and-slash with a great amount of significant plot and gameplay — all on top of featuring multiple areas available for you to explore as well.
Attack on Titan is a perfect action anime, and the game captures the action and combat that makes the show so timeless. While there are other video game adaptations, the first game achieves a lot by being unique and exhilarating at the same time. With a simple premise of fighting titans that litter the cities, this game is reminiscent of what makes Attack on Titan such a powerful piece of media.
3Dragon Ball FighterZ
Dragon Ball FighterZis largely considered to be one of the most remarkableDragon Ballvideo games in the franchise. Besides being deeply entertaining, it holds up as a fantastic fighting game that even beginners can get the hang of.
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With simple mechanics that make the combat easy, Dragon Ball FighterZ features a cast of twenty-four characters to choose from. The single-player mode is nothing to scoff at either, offering an intriguing story that showcases fan-service scenes between the characters. In the end, if you’re an avid fan of Dragon Ball and want an easy-going fighting game, then Dragon Ball FighterZ should be next on your roster.
2Genshin Impact
It was a memorable time whenGenshin Impactfirst made it into the video game scene. As a free-to-play action RPG that had anime influences behind it, there’s no doubt that audiences flocked to this game right when it became readily available. And, truly, Genshin Impact rightfully deserves this amount of praise.
The reasons behind this game being so popular are vast. One of the many aspects is the magical range of characters and how each of them tends to have its own fan base. It’s truly the characters that make Genshin Impact such a phenomenal open-world RPG — it’s hard to picture what this game would be without them.
1Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Being one of the greatest games in theNarutoSTORM series, this game is one of the best anime-fighting games. Not to mention that it’s considered to be a remarkable game in general. It’sa beginner-fighting gamewith a lot of substance, showcasing great controls with unforgettable characters.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4never has a dull moment. You’ll never want to put the controller down, making you want to endlessly continue with the heart-pumping battles. It brings everything together from the previous Ultimate Ninja Storm games. Adding much more to create a thrilling gaming experience, this final installment in the STORM series is iconic, especially if you’re a huge Naruto fan.
