Bethesda has the market cornered on post-apocalyptic experiences for RPG fans thanks to Fallout. Naughty Dog has the survival horror realm covered with The Last of Us and the list could go on. That's the post-apocalypse in the West, but are there any cataclysmic games that are made in Japan?
There are a ton actually including Death Stranding and at least half of one of the Final Fantasy games. Death Stranding is an interesting example though as it takes place in the ruins of the United States despite it being a Japanese game. So, are there games that are both made in Japan and that take place in Japan?
8 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is the first game in the Danganronpa series. It stars a group of teenagers who are stuck in a school, forced to kill each other because a robotic beat told them so. This bear, Monokuma, also explains that the world outside has gone to heck.
Monokuma spells out the end of the world due to a cataclysmic event known as The Tragedy. Characters weren’t sure if this robotic bear was telling the truth, but in the end, it turns out it was right. Japan and the rest of the world were doomed, but these survivors held up hope to bring forth a new dawn.
7 Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon
Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon takes place in the far future in the ruins of Tokyo. Players control a young teen named Seto who is wandering around and looking for survivors. It is one of the few horror RPGs around and it was for a non-traditional system for horror too, the Wii.
It featured action combat with random weapons players could find like golf clubs. Seto fought all kinds of wild entities from ghosts to mutants and it is a shame this hidden gem is still trapped on the hardware.
6 Metal Max Returns
Metal Max Returns is a SNES remake of the first game in the series. Most Western RPG fans are probably unfamiliar with this series since it started in Japan and most games have not been translated officially. Metal Saga was the first game to hit North America in 2006 and the only other title was Metal Max Xeno in 2018.
It’s slim pickings in the West for this Japanese take on Fallout with turn-based gameplay. Thankfully, Metal Max Returns and so many other entries have English fan patches.
5 NieR: Automata
NieR: Automata took the world by storm, surpassing its predecessor wildly. The first game had some neat story ideas, set far in the future of a ruined Japanese society, but it was also clunky. NieR: Automata improved everything from the visuals to the acting to the gameplay.
It was a wise decision on Square Enix’s part to partner up with PlatinumGames on this project who know a thing or two about action combat. It’s one of those types of games that have to be played multiple times to get, but those that take this journey are rewarded with a mind-blowing ending.
4 Scarlet Nexus
Scarlet Nexus takes place in a world where most of Earth was destroyed by an unknown entity that continues to destroy the world. Survival genetics in humanity eventually kicked in, causing new children to be born with powers. Players can choose to play as either Yuito or Kasane, two agents within an organization aimed at keeping the rest of Japan and the world safe from anomalies.
Both characters have varying skills, and playing each campaign will help fill in story gaps. It’s an action RPG developed by the Tales of team within Bandai Namco. It is very much influenced by anime, which may or may not be a plus for some.
3 Shin Megami Tensei 5
Most of the West has been transfixed by the Persona series which is a spinoff of Shin Megami Tensei. It’s easy to see why those games are more popular, but post-apocalyptic game fans should really dive into the main series. Every game takes place in a destroyed version of some city within Japan, but usually, it is Tokyo.
Shin Megami Tensei 5 is the latest entry, so it’s as good a place to start as any. There are some connecting threads between each game, but they don’t have to be played in order kind of like how the Final Fantasy games operate.
2 Tokyo Jungle
Tokyo Jungle is one of the weirdest games ever made and not just for this list. In the ruined state of Tokyo, all humans are dead. The city is now populated by wildlife from trees to animals. Players can control one of dozens of types of animals from small Pomeranians to larger beasts like bears.
It’s an action survival roguelike game wherein players have to breed and carry on their legacy for as long as they can until they die thus reverting the cycle. The game even has co-op to increase the odds of survival.
1 Zanki Zero: Last Beginning
Zanki Zero: Last Beginning is a more obscure title from a few years ago. The premise showcases eight survivors on an island who need to survive to stay alive. The rest of Japan, and the world, have been destroyed. Is that the case, or is there more to it like Dangonronpa?
Let’s not spoil things for now as some may wish to discover that shocker for themselves. Whether everything is truly fine or not, this dungeon crawler will scratch that cataclysmic itch.