Japanese Niche Games Deals & Discussion Thread 4.0

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shivan128

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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!

 
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Thanks, appreciate your review. Saw Amphibian from Raging Loop was listed as Planning Assistance but probably didn't have enough of an impact before he left.
 
scorponok said:
Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse [Premium Box] (Limited Edition) (Multi-Language) Asia Switch $99.99 playasia. The Japanese version is pictured for some reason, guess you should ask if you are actually getting the Asia version before purchasing since the Japanese version doesn't have English.
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I picked up this set at launch - the outer box (and art book) are entirely in Japanese but the Asian/English version of this set has a few decals on the shrink-wrap detailing the contents & DLC in English (you can see one near the Switch logo on the front of the box in P-A's product listing). The game itself is the Asian/English version with English language box art though!
 
Vinny said:
Has Star Ocean Second PS5 or Advance Wars Re-Boot gone on sale since release?
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I got my used copy of Advance Wars Re-Boot from Gamefly for $39.99 before shipping tax back on September 15th, 2023. I think that's the best deal that's happened. Dekudeals shows the new copies cheapest deal so far was $49.99 physical and $59.88 digital.

I'm likely grabbing Star Ocean Second... but for switch, which hasn't had a sale yet.
 
nitrosmob said:
Star Ocean I believe hasn't. Advanced Wars the same other than I think $10 off on Gamefly used a while ago.
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nightc1 said:
I got my used copy of Advance Wars Re-Boot from Gamefly for $39.99 before shipping tax back on September 15th, 2023. I think that's the best deal that's happened. Dekudeals shows the new copies cheapest deal so far was $49.99 physical and $59.88 digital.

I'm likely grabbing Star Ocean Second... but for switch, which hasn't had a sale yet.
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Hm... I see. I've honestly had some really bad purchases in the past year... stuff I buy because I think it'll never go on sale, end up on sale and then stuff I pass on end up going OOP. Ryza 3 NS I skipped and is OOP, but feeling like that'll get reprinted. But with SE and Nintendo games, who knows...
 
Vinny said:
Hm... I see. I've honestly had some really bad purchases in the past year... stuff I buy because I think it'll never go on sale, end up on sale and then stuff I pass on end up going OOP. Ryza 3 NS I skipped and is OOP, but feeling like that'll get reprinted. But with SE and Nintendo games, who knows...
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I did that with Metroid Dread. It sold out at all the regular stores so I grab a new full priced copy from Gamefly ... and the day before it shows up in the mail I'm in walmart and they have one copy on the shelf for $40. Nicely at least it sold out when I came back the next time, and I felt better but I went in another walmart last week and they had two copies. You win some and you lose some. But I won't be hunting for the game and I was getting interested in playing it.


Advance Wars, I think it'll hit $40 to $45 in clearance (it seems to still be stocked well at my walmart stores) and be gone but you'll probably have to pay attention for it. That's why I jumped on the $40 deal when Gamefly had it. I figured even if it goes cheaper that it would probably sell out before I found out. I don't know what ebay prices are for a complete used copy, but that might be worth considering. If I see it pop back up on gamefly used for $40, I'll post about it here as I track all price drops on switch games usually once every weekday using this url I saved: https://www.gamefly.com/browse/store/switch-store-pricedrop But they've already done that drop a couple times and sold out of the excess copies they were getting rid of and don't even have a rent and "keep it" price.
 
I'm surprised you didn't just get dread during targets and game stops buy x get y sales like most people do. Advance wars I recall also being in targets sale but probably preorders got canceled given the delayed release.
 
Fate getting localized is huge, but no PS version is such a weird choice. I get that VNs don't sell as well on PS as Switch but it feels like weird omission for such a big title.
 
Not too surprising they are just doing Switch & Steam for that Fate game. That seems to be the main platforms where VN's sell well and it has to be a profitable venture for the developer & publisher. They have enough data to know it's just not worth it even with a small dedicated group that would buy it.

Update on XC1 play through:

I'm making slow but steady progress and currently at what I expect is the main town in chapter 7. After getting things setup for the next event and going around to get all the side missions logged, I'm taking a progress break on the story to go back and finish other side missions, finish exploring each area (as few did I actually complete the whole map), and making sure I complete any other side missions I missed (though I have done a lot of side missions already). One of the major things I've found since starting down this backtracking completion thing is the whole Colony 6 part. I didn't even venture into that area after the chapter where I had to go through the ether mine. I only got into it because of a side mission I missed in Colony 9 (first area) from the dude with the machine that lets you make the crystals. But before I push forward on the Colony 6 stuff, I'm doing everything else possible ... and then I'll tell the refuges it's safe and decide how much of that I want to do or if it's time to push forward in the story. I'm currenlty in the mid 30's on leveling and I kind of want to spend some time grinding so I can level my arts a bit more. I only recently started buying the upgrade books for them as I wasn't spending any money up to this point in the game since the drops from side missions and just playing the game have been so good. I also only just now put any time into making the crystals. It feels kind of arbitrary at the moment since I haven't had too many struggles just using what I've found along the way.

Overall, it's a fantastic game but it's not beating my love for XC2. That game grabbed me from the start and I loved how quirky the main characters were and the personalities of each blade and how they had their own mini-story told through cut scenes when completing each affinity chart. Still, XC1 is excellent... and I'm dedicated to doing everything I can in the game and I can't fault it for being the first game.


shadowysea07 said:
I'm surprised you didn't just get dread during targets and game stops buy x get y sales like most people do. Advance wars I recall also being in targets sale but probably preorders got canceled given the delayed release.
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I usually don't shop at target and part of that is how some people end up with cancelled preorders. I was also on the fence about continuing to follow the Metroid franchise as I had about two years of very limited game playing and thought I might just be over it. Now that I'm back playing games regularly, I decided I'd get it but then the supply dried up at all the regular stores.
 
 
Grabbed Persona 5 Tactica for Switch. $20 was my buy price. I got both Switch and PS5 because I was worried the deal would disappear while I was trying to decide, then canceled PS5 since even though it does look better, the colors are super-saturated and I'd prefer to play this handheld while I listen to something on the TV. Clearly, the game flopped if it's this low already. Time to finally move on from milking Persona 5.

Fingers crossed Persona 3 Reload drops in price quickly. I just can't justify more than like $40 for a game I know is going to get a superior version down the line.
 
I didn't buy any video games during Black Friday week. There was hardly anything worthwhile or on sale.

But holy crap, the last month has been insane! I've bought so many titles for < $20 since Christmas. After basically doing zero holiday shopping. My favorite pickup was probably the Wo Long PS5 steelbook edtion for $40 on an Amazon flash sale. I bought Cuphead switch for $20, Theatrythm $20, GoW Ragnarok $30, RE4 ps5 $30, SF6 CE $80, Dead Cells Castlevania swtich $20, and Bravely Default 2 $20. This post-holiday rush has been unreal.

When there's so many things you want for your permanent collection, you just wait!

This week I'm playing the FF7 remaster where I left off and started the Alan Wake 1 remaster for the first time.
 
Best Buy did a price adjustment for me fortunately. Bought P5T last week thinking the Switch version would sell out before it hit $20
 
I'd grab Persona 5 Tactica for that price but I bought it over a month ago when it was $40 and I had already gotten great deals on P5 Royal & P5 Strikers. Oh well. It's beyond the price adjustment window. Kudos to those that held out.
 
I price matched P5T and Marl Kingdom at Target with the extra 5% cartwheel and ended up with both for about $45. It took a few minutes, and the chat support couldn't math for the life of them, but they did finally get it.
 
Stopped by my local gamestop because their site said they had 1 copy of Silent Hope. They did and it was actually sealed! Had to price match it because it's still $50 in store. Used my monthly $5 and I had $3 worth of points, got it for $23.31.
 
If anyone plays gran blue relink say your thoughts. I'm pretty sure I'm passing on it and finishing the original FF7 remake this month and playing the other at the end. Also Shiren the Wanderer is a much higher purchase on my part. The demo was decent at least, but heard it's short.
 
TheKbob said:
GameStop didn't have my game. Guess I'm getting a refund. Sigh.
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Keep an eye on that refund. My last two web-in-store orders were never refunded even though my cancellation emails assured me the funds would be returned to my original form of payment (my debit card). Apparently the refund is actually applied to a non-existent gift card which the store, in conjunction with their inept store service phone line, need to work together to apply. After multiple visits, and multiple calls to this line, I've not received either refund, so basically GameStop had stolen $60 of my money in the last few months. Thankfully, the local management has made things right by refunding me cash from the register each time because nobody else could do anything to fix this. Apparently this is just how their system works - I can only imagine how much GameStop has stolen from its customers who haven't caught this like I did. Seems like they're begging for a lawsuit.

I've read elsewhere that cancelled online pickup orders might work this same way, but I've not experienced it myself yet.
 
Kirin Lemon said:
I've read elsewhere that cancelled online pickup orders might work this same way, but I've not experienced it myself yet.
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I had the same experience with a cancelled store pickup around October. It was just $10 so I just chose not to call a 3rd time and continue to fight. But these cs reps are clearly being taught to shut down issues saying the original payment was refunded. In my case I am certain that was wrong. Payment was trade credit to which the balance is still $0. And their system has never been able to refund trade credit, it has always been the ridiculous solution of mailing a replacement gc. In a separate matter, they also pulled a "cannot return clearance items" on me (no matter what the store employees actually ship you) due to a recent policy change at the end of last year. I still have a worthless membership through '25 but I'm pretty much done doing business there.
 
February is a good time for some visual novels to come out.

First of all the horrible news Nekonyan's release of Angelic☆Chaos RE-BOOT is postponed indefinently as Steam has rejected the game, as it was supposed to release in January . Steam approvers are morons honestly as all the other Yuzusoft games are on Steam. If this gets ready to release I'll put it here as Yuzusoft VNs are fairly popular.

Nekonyan is releasing Irosekai: The Colorful World on February 16th, 2024. This is a very high quality from FAVORITE about a guy who is able to cure wounds by touching others but loses some of his memory as a results. This actually had a Kickstarter from Sol Press aka run off with your money people, of which I lost $35 I think. I'm glad to finally be able to play this game. I'll post the usual 18+ patch on release day. This will also be demosiaced.

Steam

Shiravune have 2 releases coming out soon. First is Dungeon Travelers: To Heart 2 in Another World, which is the prequel to Dungeon Travelers 2 which came out on Johren and Vita only (gross on Johren). This is a dungeon crawling RPG with To Heart girls and some ecchi situations. Even though it's tagged adult on Steam, it doesn't have nudity. This releases February 14th, 2024.

Steam

They also have Ego's Spark coming out February 19th, 2024. This one is a short kinetic visual novel about a robot girl I think and having feelings and such. It looks cute, but likely will be passed as February is a pretty full month of games. This should also have an 18+ patch on release.

Steam
VNDB (NSFW)

Shiravune's Liminal Border Part 2 and Nukitashi 2 also were given Q1 2024 release windows. I believe Mangagamer is going to posting pre-orders for Nukitashi 2 soon, so I'm guessing it will come out in March. Nukitashi 1 was my VN of the year last year, so I can't wait for the new one.

Shiravune also announced Real Anime Situation! 2 from Jitaku studio. This one has a main character who has fetishes, but suppresses them by writing in a diary. He forgets his diary one time in the classroom and goes back to get it. When he finds it he finds a girl reading it and turned on. She is a hentai artist and wants to use the diary to inspire her after being in a slump. In return he can do the crazy things in the diary to her. Of course 2 girls catch the action and declare they want the guy too. This is obviously a nukige, but it sound like an interesting one and has good art. An easy buy on release for me.

Steam
VNDB (NSFW)

Sekai Project/Denpasoft are releasing a brand new visual novel from Nekoworks sister company Nie No Hakoniwa - Dollhouse of Offerings on February 16th, 2024 as well. This one is about families and an outsider having a box that would stop oppression. This leads to the formation of seven noble houses and prosperity. One of the houses has no male heir so they adopt a boy and also a girl. They get married and then a nightmare happens. No idea of this as it's a new project.

Steam
VNDB (NSFW)

I also want to point out that Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs The Thrilling Steamy Maze Kiwami released on Steam and PS5. This game is a remake of an older one based off a manga/anime of Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs. This is a Shiren the Wanderer type game, so it's interesting it got localized. The timing isn't amazing as the new Shiren the Wander game comes out later in February for the Switch. I play many of these games (don't beat many unless the name has Izuna in it), so I'll get it sometime and play it.

Steam
PSN
 
The price of the most recent P5R CE dropped an additional $10 to 69.99 on woot. I'm keeping the tab open for now, but it will probably take me a few more "1 More!'" price drops to $50ish for me to bite. I'd probably just throw that paper treasure box away and save some space.
 
Souffrir said:
Speaking of stuff on sale on Woot, is Digimon Survive worth $7?

electronics.woot.com

Digimon Survive

Digimon Survive
electronics.woot.com electronics.woot.com
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With no previous digimon knowledge/experience, I played the first 5-10 hours on nsw. Found it mostly boring. Didn't finish. Tactical gameplay was very blah. Plot might be decent at some later point but overall struck me as the most generic schoolhouse mystery ever. At $7, still possibly worth it for existing digimon fans.
 
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