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[InfiniteStateMachine]

+1 again on Godhand. I love that game.

Besides that Demons Souls by From Software. 2 years now and I'm still addicted to it.

If you are trying to learn Japanese with a text heavy game then look at Cing's games. Hotel Dusk 215 is one of my favorite portable games of this gen. Great game.

[kyn]

I'd also like to +1 on Hotel Dusk. For a gloomy character like Kyle Hyde it's incredible how much power his smile has in the rare moments he does so.
^{Totally not homogay though.}

By the way, is the sequel worth it? I never see anyone talking about it.

[Superb Joe]

the japanese are bugs; that is to say large insects, in suits that resemble humans

seems reasonable

[InfiniteStateMachine]

I'd also like to +1 on Hotel Dusk. For a gloomy character like Kyle Hyde it's incredible how much power his smile has in the rare moments he does so.
^{Totally not homogay though.}

By the way, is the sequel worth it? I never see anyone talking about it.

I have it but have been waiting for a whole day or 2 where I can just play the game in one or 2 sitting. That looks like it's coming up very soon


Still need to play hotel dusk  again to get the other endings.

[s0]

If you liked Hotel Dusk, you'll like Last Window just as much.

[iffi]

And it's a crime that nobody's mentioned La Mulana yet.

I was considering saying that (it's one of my favorite games!) but I'm not sure how useful it'd be to someone trying to learn Japanese, given how difficult it can already be to understand it in English.

Paul Eres's suggestion makes sense - you're bound to find a lot of text in visual novels.

[baconman]

Well, for learning Japanese, I would highly suggest fighters like SF and KoF series. Move names are usually directly-translated with ease, and win quotes make for quippy, memorable tidbits that you can easily associate with personalities and phrases.

"Gomen Ne!"
"Yoroshiku Onigaishimasu"
"Doitsma Koitsma"
"Athena, Ikkimasu!"

Having them voiceovered helps a lot with pronounciation too, and a lot of the modern/3D-engine ones like Super SF IV or KoF Max Impact reg. A (or 2006/MI 2) also have translation subtitle options for the intro/outro quotes, too.

Dance Dance Revolution series have some foreign-origin songs that you can learn lyrics and definitions to. A few of the peppy ones were actually redone/translated into English versions, too; and one song called "SUNKISS (heart) DROP" actually has an internal randomizer where it picks either an English or a Japanese version of the track. But the games themselves, even in the Japanese versions, are quite English-friendly/heavy. (If anything, that's more of a good way for Japs to learn English.)

[Superb Joe]

Well, for learning Japanese, I would highly suggest fighters like SF and KoF series. Move names are usually directly-translated with ease, and win quotes make for quippy, memorable tidbits that you can easily associate with personalities and phrases.

"Gomen Ne!"
"Yoroshiku Onigaishimasu"
"Doitsma Koitsma"
"Athena, Ikkimasu!"

Having them voiceovered helps a lot with pronounciation too, and a lot of the modern/3D-engine ones like Super SF IV or KoF Max Impact reg. A (or 2006/MI 2) also have translation subtitle options for the intro/outro quotes, too.

Dance Dance Revolution series have some foreign-origin songs that you can learn lyrics and definitions to. A few of the peppy ones were actually redone/translated into English versions, too; and one song called "SUNKISS (heart) DROP" actually has an internal randomizer where it picks either an English or a Japanese version of the track. But the games themselves, even in the Japanese versions, are quite English-friendly/heavy. (If anything, that's more of a good way for Japs to learn English.)

there's a reason you've never met a japanese tourist who sounds like street fighter: the movie: the game

[InfiniteStateMachine]

If you liked Hotel Dusk, you'll like Last Window just as much.

whaaa? I never knew this existed. I thought Again was the sequel to Hotel Dusk. How does Again fit into the storyline?

Gonna have to start tracking down a copy.

[kyn]

Yeah, I was talking about Last Window. I have no idea what Again is.

[s0]

Again is Cing's last game. Idk if it ties in with the Hotel Dusk storyline (I think not) but it got pretty terrible reviews so I didn't import (I'm in Europe).

[kyn]

I'm probably being a little dismissive, but it doesn't look too good from the Youtube videos I've seen. Besides, I think I rather play Last Window and Another Code.

^{And not that it matters, but according to wiki Last Window was Cing's last game, not Again.}

[Doorknob]

For learning Japanese, I would suggest to play a game that has both text and voice. If there's a word you don't know, look it up in the dictionary and have it memorized (Anki is especially good in this regard).

Elona - An odd roguelike where you try to save the world, be able to break walls without retaliation, and ride on little girls who are your pets. Supports both English and Japanese. English however does have lots of cut scenes cut.

Freemu - Contains lots of free indie games and updates frequently.

Silver Wolf - One of my favorite developer, he has made a similar engine to RPG Makers only much more beefed up. Most of his games are made in this engine and here is one in action (RPG/STG hybrid):

.

He also holds annual contests with people who makes games on the engine. The last one just ended about three weeks ago: http://www.silversecond.com/WolfRPGEditor/Contest/

Here are some commercial games you might want to check out.
Mana Khemia (PS2) - Enjoyed the battles and overall world greatly, although the battle does somewhat fall off after halfway through.
Baldr Sky Dive (PC 18+) - I personally started with this eroge to learn and while I only comprehended about half of it first time I started(interwebs, neuro implants, and insane religious priests) it was definitely a great experience. Here is a small translation I have done over video for a particular scene(SFW):


Live A Live (SNES)
Tales of Phantasia (PS1)

[InfiniteStateMachine]

Again is Cing's last game. Idk if it ties in with the Hotel Dusk storyline (I think not) but it got pretty terrible reviews so I didn't import (I'm in Europe).

tbh I bought it based off hotel dusk 215. IIRC I read it was a sequel somewhere so I got it without even thinking to look up reviews.

Will let you guys know how it is once I get through it.

[Gguo]

ABA makes some interesting things: http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cs8k-cyu/index_e.html

Ikiki makes some ok games as well but you may have a hard time finding them. there was a thread that had a collection..may search for it and you'll find it.

and indie or not, God Hand is one of the best Japanese games ever

I enjoyed their game at windows about 12 years ago.
Glad to know they still makes interesting game!!!!