10 MORE Games Inspired by Japanese Mythology and Folklore

Preamble: I don’t know about you but when I enter into a fictional world it’s all I can do not to search for elements reflecting this worldly experience, or genze ryoku in Japanese. There’s something primal and stirring when you catch reflections of your own lived experience in these spaces. Whether you’re reading a religious text or catching up on 5e latest Fast and the Furious like a juiced up 12 year old, that’s me. I can’t help but peel back the layers to inspect the elements that make a story compelling or not. It’s my nature as an academic. But it’s also innately human.

From religious symbolism to literary conventions, I’ve nestled my career of narratology and theory into this amorphous scope through which I can’t help but peer through. Whether I’m reading smut fiction, playing an indie game of itch.io or, Buddha forbid, rewatching Fast and the Furious like a juiced up 12 year old because believe me, I may be a premodernist in many regards but damn I love those films! regardless of what I’m consuming I want to know the driving forces that make the characters. That make their choices matter. That make the story compelling enough to dedicate my own life to. That make a game worthy of 5 or 75 hours of play. The world building systems that provide meaning to a characters arc and purpose. The faith-systems, the physics, the morals, and ideals.

As video games continue to grow in popularity, many designers are turning to Japanese folklore for inspiration. From epic battles to fantastic creatures, Japanese mythology offers a wealth of inspiration for game designers. In this article, we’ll explore ten more video games that draw on this rich tradition, offering players a chance to immerse themselves in the myths and legends of Japan.

1. Ghost of Tsushima:
2. Yakuza 0:
3. Touhou Project:
4. Bloodborne:
5. Samurai Warriors 4:
6. Dragon Quest XI:
7. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4:
8. Fire Emblem: Three Houses:
9. Nioh 2:
10. Okami:

Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima is an action-adventure game that takes place in the late 13th century, during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. Players take on the role of Jin Sakai, a samurai who must battle his way through the invading Mongol forces. The game draws heavily on Japanese folklore, featuring a wide variety of mythical creatures and landscapes, as well as nods to famous historical figures and events.

The game is heavily inspired by the real-life Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century, and draws on Japanese folklore to create its world and characters. The game features Yokai, supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, such as Oni and Tengu. The player can also interact with Shinto shrines and torii gates, which are a part of traditional Japanese religious practices.

Yakuza 0

Yakuza 0 is a crime drama game that takes place in Tokyo during the late 1980s. Players take on the role of Kazuma Kiryu, a member of the Japanese mafia known as the Yakuza. The game draws on a wide variety of Japanese myths and legends, featuring characters and settings inspired by everything from Shintoism to Buddhist philosophy.

The game is set in 1980s Tokyo and draws on Japanese folklore and myth to create its world and characters. The game features mythical creatures such as Oni and Kirin, and the player can interact with Shinto shrines and other traditional Japanese cultural elements. Additionally, the game draws on Buddhist philosophy to explore themes such as karma and reincarnation.

Touhou Project

The Touhou Project is a series of shoot ’em up games that takes place in a fictionalized version of Japan. Players take on the role of various characters, each with their own unique abilities and fighting styles. The games draw heavily on Japanese folklore, featuring a wide variety of Yokai and other supernatural creatures, as well as nods to famous historical figures and events.

The game is set in a fictionalized version of Japan and features a wide variety of Yokai and other supernatural creatures, including Oni, Tengu, and Kitsune. The game’s boss battles are often inspired by famous figures from Japanese folklore and mythology, such as Princess Kaguya and the Thunder God Raijin.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne is an action role-playing game that takes place in a fictionalized version of Victorian-era London. Players take on the role of a hunter who must battle his way through hordes of monsters and other supernatural enemies. The game draws heavily on Japanese mythology, featuring a wide variety of Yokai and other supernatural creatures, as well as themes of death and rebirth.

The game draws heavily on Japanese mythology, featuring a world inspired by the concept of the “blood moon” and the idea of the hunt as a central element in Japanese culture. The game’s bosses are often inspired by Japanese folklore and myth, such as the giant spider Rom, who is based on the Jorogumo, a spider Yokai from Japanese folklore.

Samurai Warriors 4

Samurai Warriors 4 is a hack and slash game that takes place during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. Players take on the role of various historical figures, including famous samurai like Nobunaga Oda and Ieyasu Tokugawa. The game draws heavily on Japanese folklore, featuring a wide variety of Yokai and other supernatural creatures, as well as nods to famous historical figures and events.

The game is set during the Sengoku period of Japanese history and features a wide variety of historical figures, including famous samurai such as Nobunaga Oda and Ieyasu Tokugawa. The game also features Yokai and other supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore, such as the Nine-Tailed Fox and the Kappa.

Dragon Quest XI

Dragon Quest XI is a role-playing game that takes place in a fantasy world inspired by Japanese folklore. Players take on the role of a young hero who must save the world from destruction by a powerful evil force. The game features a wide variety of characters and settings inspired by Japanese mythology and legend.

The game takes place in a fantasy world inspired by Japanese mythology and legend. The game features characters and settings inspired by traditional Japanese culture, such as samurai and ninja, as well as creatures from Japanese folklore such as the Tanuki and the Oni.

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 is a role-playing game that takes place in a small town in Japan. Players take on the role of a high school student who discovers that he has the power to summon and control powerful spirits known as Personas. The game draws on a wide variety of Japanese myths and legends, featuring characters and settings inspired by everything from Shintoism to Buddhist philosophy.

The game takes place in a small town in Japan and draws on a wide variety of Japanese myths and legends. The game’s Personas are based on creatures from Japanese mythology, such as the thunder god Raijin and the sun goddess Amaterasu.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a tactical role-playing game that takes place in a fictionalized version of medieval Europe. Players take on the role of a professor at a military academy, training young students in the art of war. The game features a wide variety of characters and settings inspired by Japanese mythology and legend, as well as themes of loyalty, honor, and sacrifice.

The game takes place in a fictionalized version of medieval Europe, but draws heavily on Japanese mythology and legend. The game’s characters are inspired by samurai and ninja, and the game’s story features themes of loyalty, honor, and sacrifice that are central to Japanese culture.

Nioh 2

Nioh 2 is a prequel to the original Nioh game, taking place during the late Sengoku period of Japanese history. Players take on the role of a half-human, half-Yokai warrior who must battle his way through hordes of supernatural enemies. The game draws heavily on Japanese folklore, featuring a wide variety of Yokai and other supernatural creatures, as well as nods to famous historical figures and events.

The game is set during the late Sengoku period of Japanese history and features a wide variety of Yokai and other supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. The player character is a half-human, half-Yokai warrior, and the game’s bosses are often inspired by famous figures from Japanese mythology and folklore.

Okami

If this game didn’t revolutionize your perspective of gameplay and narrative then I’m not sure you’re even capable of feeling. Okami is an action-adventure game that takes place in a world inspired by Japanese mythology. Players take on the role of Amaterasu, a sun goddess who has taken the form of a white wolf. The game features a unique art style inspired by traditional Japanese ink paintings, as well as a wide variety of characters and settings inspired by Japanese myth and legend.

Let’s wrap up here, these ten video games offer players a chance to explore the rich tradition of Japanese folklore in exciting and engaging ways. From action-packed battles to thought-provoking role-playing games, there is a game on this list for everyone who is interested in exploring the myths and legends of Japan. By drawing on this tradition, video game designers are able to create immersive worlds that capture the imagination and offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Japan.

1. Ghost of Tsushima:
2. Yakuza 0:
3. Touhou Project:
4. Bloodborne:
5. Samurai Warriors 4:
6. Dragon Quest XI:
7. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4:
8. Fire Emblem: Three Houses:
9. Nioh 2:
10. Okami:

In conclusion, the ten video games mentioned draw on a wide variety of elements from Japanese folklore and mythology to create