Living in Japan isn't all about games. Just mostly 
.
.Real Gamers in Japan - Part 9
Posted 12-24-2008 at 04:08 PM by Chris_D
This series aims to provide a tiny bit of insight into the mind and habits of Japanese gamers. Although I'm sure most will be pretty dry, I hope to occasionally surprise some of you 
.
In part nine I'm talking with Hiroyuki, a researcher in his 30s, who's married with two young kids.
Me: So what have you been up to?
Hiroyuki: I've been playing Ryu ga Gotaku (Yakuza)
Kenzan for my PS3.
Me: Nice, that's the historical side story right? So how is it?
Hiroyuki: It's great, but the save points suck.
Me: Yeah?
Hiroyuki: Yeah, there's a lot of cut scenes so it's hard to save when you need to stop playing.
Me: Damn, you'd hope they'd stop doing that these days.
Hiroyuki: Also, I got my wife Professor Layton 3 for Christmas.
Me: Cool, so is she liking it so far?
Hiroyuki: Well she's already finished and sold it back actually.
Me: No shit!
Hiroyuki: Yeah, but she got 3,200 yen and I paid 4,000 so that's pretty good.
Me: Yeah, it's better to sell as soon as possible, that's for sure.
Hiroyuki: Did you know that Final Fantasy XIII is coming out next year?
Me: Yeah, finally!
Hiroyuki: And there are 2 different versions.
Me: The multiplayer game and the single player game right? So which are you more interested in?
Hiroyuki: Hmm, I don't know... I think I'm going to have to get both.
Me: So are there any other games you're interested in?
Hiroyuki: Well, I'm going to get White Knight Chronicles when it comes out.
Me: You have to let me know how it is. So what does your wife say about you playing all these long RPGs?
Hiroyuki: Heh, well I set my alarm for 5am everyday. That way I can play my PS3 for an hour and a half before she gets up with the baby at 6:30.
Me: Smart!
Hiroyuki: But, lately work has been so hectic it's been tough getting up at 5.
My Thoughts
There's no doubt that Final Fantasy is still one of the most keenly awaited upcoming PS3 titles. I was surprised that Hiroyuki seemed quite interested in FFXIII Versus, I'm not sure he even has his PS3 online yet.
White Knight Chronicles received a mixed review recently in Famitsu. This could be disappointing for what was looking to be the premier JRPG on the PS3. Still, Famitsu's reviews can skew both ways and I'll wait to see what the western publications have to say when the localization is finished. Hopefully they may even be able to tweak it a bit. Anyway, I'm definitely looking to check up with Hiroyuki when I see him next year to see how he's liking it.
1UP: Japan Review Check: White Knight Chronicles, Phantasy Star Zero
Colony of Gamers: Damn it: Famitsu Reviews White Knight Chronicles
Note: Although written in an interview style, the above is actually an extract of a conversation I had, either translated from Japanese, or modified from the original English to read more naturally. Names are changed to protect the identity of those concerned.
.In part nine I'm talking with Hiroyuki, a researcher in his 30s, who's married with two young kids.
Me: So what have you been up to?
Hiroyuki: I've been playing Ryu ga Gotaku (Yakuza)
Kenzan for my PS3.
Me: Nice, that's the historical side story right? So how is it?
Hiroyuki: It's great, but the save points suck.
Me: Yeah?
Hiroyuki: Yeah, there's a lot of cut scenes so it's hard to save when you need to stop playing.
Me: Damn, you'd hope they'd stop doing that these days.
Hiroyuki: Also, I got my wife Professor Layton 3 for Christmas.
Me: Cool, so is she liking it so far?
Hiroyuki: Well she's already finished and sold it back actually.
Me: No shit!
Hiroyuki: Yeah, but she got 3,200 yen and I paid 4,000 so that's pretty good.
Me: Yeah, it's better to sell as soon as possible, that's for sure.
Hiroyuki: Did you know that Final Fantasy XIII is coming out next year?
Me: Yeah, finally!
Hiroyuki: And there are 2 different versions.
Me: The multiplayer game and the single player game right? So which are you more interested in?
Hiroyuki: Hmm, I don't know... I think I'm going to have to get both.
Me: So are there any other games you're interested in?
Hiroyuki: Well, I'm going to get White Knight Chronicles when it comes out.
Me: You have to let me know how it is. So what does your wife say about you playing all these long RPGs?
Hiroyuki: Heh, well I set my alarm for 5am everyday. That way I can play my PS3 for an hour and a half before she gets up with the baby at 6:30.
Me: Smart!
Hiroyuki: But, lately work has been so hectic it's been tough getting up at 5.
My Thoughts
There's no doubt that Final Fantasy is still one of the most keenly awaited upcoming PS3 titles. I was surprised that Hiroyuki seemed quite interested in FFXIII Versus, I'm not sure he even has his PS3 online yet.
White Knight Chronicles received a mixed review recently in Famitsu. This could be disappointing for what was looking to be the premier JRPG on the PS3. Still, Famitsu's reviews can skew both ways and I'll wait to see what the western publications have to say when the localization is finished. Hopefully they may even be able to tweak it a bit. Anyway, I'm definitely looking to check up with Hiroyuki when I see him next year to see how he's liking it.
1UP: Japan Review Check: White Knight Chronicles, Phantasy Star Zero
Colony of Gamers: Damn it: Famitsu Reviews White Knight Chronicles
Note: Although written in an interview style, the above is actually an extract of a conversation I had, either translated from Japanese, or modified from the original English to read more naturally. Names are changed to protect the identity of those concerned
.
Total Comments 4
Comments
|
He's like the first bonafide adult gamer who still fits the time in so far.
|
Posted 12-24-2008 at 07:14 PM by Xerxes
|
|
|
Yeah, we nearly always talk about games when I see him. He's probably more "hardcore" than I am. He owns a PSP and was big on Crisis Core which we talked about a lot. Also he was telling me how he plays Dynasty Warriors with his wife, and that she liked Afrika on the PS3 but traded it quickly (not much to do she said). Also has a Wii too. Definitely mostly into Sony platforms but usually he's interested in hearing what's happening on 360.
|
Posted 12-27-2008 at 05:52 AM by Chris_D
|
|
|
This post has rekindled my fear that many people worldwide, hardcore gamer or otherwise, have the preconception that Final Fantasy Versus XIII is going to be a multiplayer game. Square-Enix needs to do everything it can to dispel that rumor.
|
|
Posted 12-29-2008 at 01:30 PM by Variable Gear
|
|
|
I actually assumed it was, based on the way they seemed to be contrasting the two games in the initial announcement. I also don't tend to follow the coverage of a game too closely following its announcement, especially if it's a game I'm planning to buy. So I'd say you're spot on about the perception thing.
|
|
Posted 12-29-2008 at 11:29 PM by Chris_D
|
Recent Blog Entries by Chris_D
- Panic Buying Hits the Kansai Region (03-14-2011)
- A Different Reaction to the Great Tohoku Earthquake (03-14-2011)
- Edge's Gran Turismo 5 Review - Ben Dutka MIA? (01-11-2011)
- My Game Studio - Pinky Games (01-02-2011)
- My Game Studio - Farmsoft (12-31-2010)
