GAMER LOUNGE 20XX (NO CASUALS!!)

[Kosheh]

Picked up Yo-Kai Watch and...good lord this game's really Japanese.

I'm not really sure what Nintendo had in mind with their humongous marketing push for this game. Like - you think the concept of Pokemon is really Japanese...? Yo-Kai Watch is to its very core is rooted in Japanese mythology.

But the characters are hilariously zany and it's great.
One of my favorite ones I've encountered so far is "Baku", who looks like something straight out of "Ahhh! Real Monsters"


The idea behind him though is that he's literally Drowzee and Munna put together: He's an anteater that likes slurping out people's bad dreams out of their head. He also can slurp out your anxiety and tiredness and look like you so you can sneak around outside at night.

However, a lot of the story concepts ingame aren't really fleshed out as you want them to be and the main character doesn't really question them as much as they should, either. It also does a relatively good job at explaining Japanese folklore elements that might be too weird, despite the fact you're Nate (or Katie) growing up in the Japanese town of Springdale.

The battle system is actually really great - it's more like a fast-paced management system where your Yo-Kai have their own free will (but you can also help them unleash a powerful super-move if you feel so inclined)

I mean I could complain for HOURS about this game but at its gameplay greatly trumps the story, and that's what matters - and I've heard that the sequel (that's not out yet stateside) actually significantly trumps the original in every department.