2014 Japanese Game Releases Everyone Will Want to Get Their Hands On!

What follows is our carefully chosen selection of 10 games scheduled to be released in Japan in 2014. All of the games in this list are continuations of popular game series, so they’re sure to be entertaining! The latter half of the article contains information about titles without an official release, but that are expected to come out sometime next year. Come along with TOM as we check out some of the most anticipated new games of 2014.

First, let’s take a look at three samurai action games, which happen to be scheduled for consecutive releases in January, February, and March.

Sengoku Basara 4
The first is Sengoku Basara 4 (PS3), scheduled for a Jan. 23 release. The series is set in the Sengoku period, a time during which powerful authorities from various regions were engaged in bloody conflict. In this stylish action game, you play as a samurai commander attempting to unite the warring regions of Japan. Since the first game’s release in 2005, the series has become wildly popular, being made into a TV anime and even a stage production. This instalment in the Sengoku Basara series will feature 40 different samurai commanders, the most in any game to date. The opening theme song will again be done by T.M.Revolution, an artist known for anime songs for such series as Gundam Seed. The ending song will be done by the lively and popular girl band Scandal, who have been recently performing in various anime festivals.

Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!
The next game scheduled for a Feb. 22 release is the action adventure game Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! (PS3/PS4). The main character in this instalment of the series is one of the most prominent men in recent Japanese history, Sakamoto Ryōma. Ryōma is considered a hero in Japanese history, and has maintained a strong presence in Japanese popular culture. The game is expected to be a hit. The Ryū ga Gotoku series (known as Yakuza in the U.S.), which began in 2005, has established a reputation not only for exciting story lines, but also for its realistic recreation of the settings and daily lives of its main characters. Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! is sure to be an exciting trip back in time to the days of the last samurai of Japan.

Samurai Warriors 4
Finally, we have Samurai Warriors 4 to be released on March 20 (PS3/PSVita). This latest installment in the series, like its predecessors, features invigorating action and puts the player in control of a samurai commander pitted against hundreds of enemies. What sets this installment apart is the depth and drama of the relationships between characters, which are sure to be emotionally moving for any player. Furthermore, in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Samurai Warriors series in February 2014, a TV anime series will begin airing in March. This title is sure to gain a lot of attention next year.

Dark Souls Ⅱ
*Dark Souls Ⅱ* (PS3/Xbox 360/PC), scheduled for release on March 13, is also another title to look out for. This authentic action RPG is a sequel to the 2011 hit Dark Souls. The series is known for it’s formidable difficulty and the sense of accomplishment it gives to players. During online play, the “visions” function allows you to see the movements of other players in real time, while the message function allows you to leave messages to other players within the field.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
On March 20 (March 18 in North America), the latest installment in the universally popular stealth game series Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, will be released. It will be available for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. Each PlayStation and Xbox release includes its own special missions. The setting for the game will be U.S. controlled territory in southern Cuba. This latest release is true to reality, and even features authentic footage, allowing the gamer to be immersed into another high-intensity espionage experience.

Mario Kart 8
If you like party games, be sure to grab a copy of Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U, the latest in the popular series to be released in the spring of 2014. With the addition of “anti-gravity,” players will be able to drive up vertical walls and even upside-down on the ceilings of familiar courses. As one would expect from Nintendo, this game features thorough game design and undoubtedly offers an intense and fulfilling racing experience, even for first-timers.

Persona 5
The first game in the Persona series of role playing games was released back in 1996. Over the past few years, it has inspired both movie and TV anime productions and become a favorite among gamers and anime fans alike. The long-awaited Persona 5 is scheduled for release in the winter of 2014. An official trailer was uploaded to YouTube in November 2013, and from the number of views and the comments (in both Japanese and English), it seems that avid fans are ready to get their hands on the game. Specifics of Persona 5 are still unknown, and the red background images on the official website, along with the message in the trailer, leave a somewhat disturbing impression.

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
By the way, before the release of Persona 5, a RPG titled Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth featuring characters from Persona 3 and Persona 4 will be released for the 3DS. Fans of the series should definitely check it out.

Final Fantasy XV
Lastly, two big titles that do not yet have an official release date. The first is the latest in the Final Fantasy Series, Final Fantasy XV. A preview movie was released in June 2013, but the details of the game are still unknown. The world is certainly watching and waiting to see what exactly this game has in store.

Kingdom Hearts Ⅲ
*Kingdom Hearts III* is another title that gamers around the world are looking forward to. A trailer for this game as well has already been released, but specifics are still unknown. However, the fact that it will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One next-gen consoles makes it clear that we should expect to see some of the most beautiful graphics in the series to date.

All of these games are so great, we just can’t wait for them to be released!

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.