5 Indie Games to Get Your Anime Fix

I know our readers are likely buyers with all the amazing Japanese games coming out this year. We’ve already seen Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Unicorn Overlord, with Stellar Blade and more on the horizon. As summer approaches, the typical game release drought will likely follow, so I wanted to highlight some lovely anime and Japan-inspired indies with which I’ve had a lot of fun. So, let’s dive right in!

Pizza Tower (with Peppina Ramen mod)

This one might seem like a cheat, but I am consistently blown away by how good this mod is. Pizza Tower is a loving homage to the old Wario Land titles with some Sonic the Hedgehog speed. It was my personal game of the year for 2023. The Peppina Ramen mod is inspired by this lovely fan art, which envisions Pizza Tower as a 90s magical girl anime akin to Sailor Moon. There are a ton of references to general anime tropes of the time and more specific ones like the obligatory JoJo’s pose. I’ve been following this mod for a while and adore it. It’s chock full of anime references, both overt and subtle. I could honestly spend all day talking about both of these. Unfortunately, the newest update to the main game broke the mod for me, so hopefully, it will be compatible again soon! Platforms: Steam

Gnosia

Take the social deduction premise of Among Us, add some wonderful art and incredible writing, slap it all into a visual novel, and you’ve got Gnosia. My wife and I played this together when it came out on Switch, and we couldn’t put it down. It’s hard to discuss without spoiling anything, but we had many laughs and even a few tears by the end. It finally arrived on other systems and seemed to come and go with little fanfare. It’s made by a small Japanese team, and I hope they do more. My main complaint is about getting the true ending. It almost requires a guide, but don’t bust one out until you know you’re missing only one or two endings. For a team of only four people, this is an incredible piece. Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch. PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series

Fight’n Rage

Love beat-em-ups? Like bouncy, sexy ladies? Want to crush your enemies until they explode into a shower of bones? Give this a shot because it has all that and then some. Developed by one person, Gonzalo Verela, Fight’n Rage is my favorite of this genre. Gonzalo is a big fan of classic anime art, and his own is animated with such love and care that it’s easy to get distracted. The fighting system is pretty in-depth, and each character plays in a totally different way. With multiple endings, three main characters, extra modes, and some hidden secrets to discover, this one is worth the time of any fan. It’s short, at about 45 minutes for a single run, but the differing paths and characters add tons of replayability. Platforms: Steam, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/Series

Panzer Paladin

Mechs, ’90s anime and pixel art. What’s not to love? In Panzer Paladin, you control the android Flame and her mech, Grit, as they traverse large 2d levels. You can pick up any weapon an enemy drops, and they all have a unique special ability. Occasionally, you’ll have to leave Grit behind and walk around on foot. While Flame is much weaker, she is as capable of getting around and dealing with enemies. The pixel art is vibrant and perfectly replicates the NES style. The level design and structure remind me a lot of classic Mega Man. Be warned: it can get quite tough. Platforms: Steam, Nintendo Switch

World of Horror

Though I have previously reviewed World of Horror for J-List, I still stand by the recommendation. When it launched originally, the console versions were in a bad state. They have since been fixed, and I put much more time into it a month ago. I have now unlocked nearly everything on the Switch version and find myself returning every few weeks. I can’t stop singing the praises of this game. Any Junji Ito or Arkham Horror fan needs to give it a shot. If you have a choice, I recommend the PC version because fan mods blow the doors wide open for content. Just be mindful of the imbalanced difficulty and difference in quality. Check out my review for a more in-depth look. Platforms: Steam, Mac, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch

Bonus Round! Arzette: The Jewel of Faramore

Though not anime in the strictest sense, this title is one I can’t pass up getting more eyes on. Those familiar with the positively infamous Zelda CD-i games will know what to expect. Where Arzette differs, though, is with genuine quality and love. It brings the gameplay up to modern standards while keeping what worked. The passion of the team behind it cannot be denied, and the charm is delightful. This feels like a long-lost PS1 game pulled from a forgotten hard drive and released today. I mean that as the highest compliment, too. This is exactly the kind of retro throwback game the industry needs now. It’s short, about 3-5 hours for 100% completion, and priced to match. Then this game is worth your time if you’ve ever been curious about the Zelda CD-i games. Platforms: Steam, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/Series

Those are my picks! If you need more, may I recommend some of our import games? My favorite of our lineup is CLANNAD, a heart-shattering, beautiful visual novel. Even if you’ve seen the excellent anime adaptation, it’s still worth playing. English language text is available in this release.

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