If you're interested in discovering the finest anime games available on PC, we're here to assist you in identifying the absolute must-play titles. The gaming realm is teeming with options—ranging from adaptations of specific anime shows and movies to games that draw broader inspiration from the anime medium.
The strong connection between anime and gaming is quite understandable, as many character designers, writers, and voice actors often work in both industries simultaneously. Moreover, numerous game designers grew up immersed in anime classics like Ghost in the Shell or Pokémon, and their influence can be seen in their video game creations.
You'll find an array of options to suit your preferences—whether you're into massive JRPGs, wildly extravagant fighters, or engrossing crime-solving visual novels. For those seeking an interactive anime experience, we've curated a list of our favorite games. There's something here for every anime enthusiast.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Arc System Works games stand out with a unique visual style that cannot be found elsewhere. Through their flashy fighting games like Guilty Gear and Blazblue, they have achieved a perfect blend of 3D and 2D animation. However, the pinnacle of their achievement in this regard is evident in Dragon Ball FighterZ. This game transforms ordinary brawls into epic anime battles, ensuring that every incredible move you execute is showcased from the best possible angle. That's precisely why Dragon Ball FighterZ stands as the ultimate anime fighting game.
What sets it apart is not only its accessibility to beginners but also the empowering feeling it provides players. The anime influence plays a significant role here—just like in the Dragon Ball series, where sending opponents hurtling into space or delivering powerful blows that reshape the landscape are regular occurrences. Thanks to Arc System Works' stunning animation, FighterZ faithfully recreates the original source material and even manages to exceed it in visual appeal.
Tekken 7
Tekken 7 offers assists and autocombos, but activating them means sacrificing buttons that are essential for executing other moves, making it less friendly for beginners. Instead, the game expects players to grasp punishes and standard combos, and be attentive to frame data. It's worth noting that the game sells frame data display as DLC, which some might find unreasonable.
Despite its challenging nature, Tekken 7 is upfront about its difficulty and treats the story mode as a tutorial, understanding that many players use it to learn the game mechanics. Additionally, players can enjoy extravagant cutscenes where Heihachi impressively kicks missiles back at their attackers.
Tailored for PC and boasting a vibrant and lively online community, Tekken 7 is a fighting game that deserves the investment of numerous hours in your gaming journey. It remains a compelling option until Tekken 8 is eventually released.
Tales of Vesperia – Definitive Edition
Since its inception with Tales of Phantasia in 1995, Bandai Namco's Tales series has transported players to numerous worlds in need of salvation. Among them, Tales of Vesperia, originally an Xbox 360 exclusive released in 2008, truly stands out by capturing the essence of classic JRPGs in a remarkable way. The game revolves around a charming group of misfit protagonists, who serendipitously cross paths, and its battle system strikes a perfect balance between turn-based and real-time gameplay. Additionally, players get to explore a traditional, vibrant, and fantastical world, evoking a sense of wonder and awe.
Tales of Vesperia embraces fairly classic 2D visuals, showcasing character designs by renowned mangaka Kousuke Fujishima and captivating cutscenes by the esteemed animation studio Production I.G. However, beyond its captivating visuals, it is the sensation of embarking on a grand adventure in distant lands, filled with pirates, dragons, and enigmatic magical forces, that truly elevates Tales of Vesperia to the ranks of a fantastic JRPG.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch succeeded in capturing the enchanting charm synonymous with Studio Ghibli's creations. The renowned studio, known for beloved films like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away, contributed to Ni No Kuni's development by producing its animated cutscenes. While the game's writing was not directly done by Studio Ghibli, Akihiro Hino, who had previously worked on games such as Dark Cloud, Dragon Quest 8 and 9, and the Professor Layton series, managed to evoke the same heartwarming essence.
Ni No Kuni resonates with both children and adults, just like many Studio Ghibli movies, as it weaves fairytales centered around young heroes acquiring the power to save multiple worlds. This is often achieved through engaging activities like indulging in abundant food, capturing peculiar creatures, and embarking on daring adventures.
After experiencing Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, players can delve into its sequel, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom. Although Studio Ghibli was not directly involved in the sequel's creation, it retains the distinctive animation style that captivated players in the first installment.
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