Every year, developers like Koei Tecmo and Bandai Namco introduce new video game adaptation of the anime shows we love. Dragon Ball and Naruto fighting games have become staples, while recent years have seen a new take on Sailor Moon in a match-three mobile game and Berserk with a Dynasty Warriors spin. And one thing we can always count on from Tokyo Game Show is another handful of anime games based on what's popular right now.
During our time at TGS, we went hands on with several titles from a range of publishers. We tried beat-em-ups and the aforementioned Dynasty Warriors spin-off, as well as action games on console and a few on handheld. But there were a few that really stood out; while gameplay may have felt familiar, their particular take on a certain property won us over. Read on below to see our top three anime games from Tokyo Game Show this year.
Berserk
Developed by Omega Force, Berserk--called Berserk Musou in Japan--is exactly what you think it is based on the studio behind it. This take on the familiar Dynasty Warriors style of crunching through maps brimming with enemies lets you control Guts, the stoic and strong swordsman of the Berserk franchise. As Guts, you'll take on missions that bring you through dilapidated corners of the world and task you with slaying seemingly unending hordes of demons. The game loosely follows the plot of the manga, with special appearances by other characters from the series.
What we love most about Berserk is how Guts handles. As expected, the mercenary's massive sword is heavy and unwieldy, and Guts moves more slowly against his enemies than most playable characters in Dynasty Warriors' games. The Berserk series' dark tone also permeates the game, with drab landscapes and settlements broken up only by splashes of blood from your enemies. We've seen many musou adaptations of anime properties, but Berserk is shaping up to be one of the more creative we've seen in recent years.
Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4: Road to Boruto
There's a reason the Ninja Storm games have become so popular, selling more than 15 million copies across the series worldwide according to its creator: they faithfully create the experience of being a character in the Naruto universe, mastering martial arts and engaging in fast-paced battles against fellow ninjas. Fans of Naruto love these games for the extra layer of immersion they bring to the property, allowing them to step into the shoes of their favorite ninja and fight against the characters they've come to love. Developer CyberConnect2 excels as creating solid, fun combat that is beautiful to watch, and their understanding and love for the subject material shines in their games.
But the Road to Boruto expansion for Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is special because it marks the end of the Naruto Shippuden series, and finally introduces content from the end of the long-running Naruto manga into the video game space. It's a bittersweet ending to the franchise, playing at Naruto's son and training with the celebrated ninja, as well as exploring the future that awaits Naruto and friends beyond the series' story. The Boruto expansion marks the end of the era, and a fun, high note for the Ninja Storm series to go out on.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
What's not to love about a Dragon Ball fighting game? Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2, the sequel to last year's Dragon Ball Xenoverse, is coming this fall with the biggest roster of playable Dragon Ball characters yet. Dragon Ball lovers can play as everyone from Goku and Vegeta to Goku Black and Future Trunks from the more recent Dragon Ball Super anime series. There's something inherently satisfying about beating up Goku as Vegeta, or playing as Piccolo and smoking the competition.
Xenoverse 2 takes things a step further with one particularly sweet new feature: players can team up online in a six-versus-one fight against a massive AI boss. Working together, players must communicate to conquer baddies like Vegeta in his giant ape form, repelling energy blasts and assisting one another if someone is KOed. It adds a new element to the Dragon Ball fighting games, and is reminiscent of some of the larger-scale battles in the series proper, in which groups of characters would team up for a common cause.
