Our J-List writers search far and wide for the best anime news and features. So, we cornered them and asked them for their top anime-related picks for 2023.
2023 was an insane year for games. We got everything from incredible RPGs to a new 2D Mario game on par with the classics. But what about games closely linked to anime? I didn’t have the chance to watch much anime this year between work and the onslaught of quality games. But the few titles related to the industry I did have made me look into games like them. These three games let me live out great moments with the Straw Hat Pirates, my handcrafted Gundam Armored Core, and the Belmont clan.
One Piece Odyssey Gives the Series the Love it Deserves
I have to come clean: I didn’t like One Piece until my wife and I watched the admittedly great live-action adaptation. I never got into it when it was new, and it was too daunting when I had interest. But that quickly changed when I began a journey to experience more of the series. So, I looked into One Piece games. I gave One Piece Odyssey a try and came away impressed. Made by ILCA, it’s a quality turn-based RPG with a unique story and setting that’s self-contained. Newcomers like me may be a little lost, as it takes place much later in the series canon, but it’s still worth experiencing if you want more One Piece in your life. It is sadly one of 2023’s most overlooked titles, but I would argue it’s the best One Piece game around.
Armored Core VI is the Gundam Game We Always Wanted
Though not explicitly linked directly to an anime series, it’s hard not to include Armored Core VI here, as it is a titan in a niche field. Official Gundam games can be pretty hit-and-miss and vary wildly between each title. Battle Operation 2 is a slow, methodical multiplayer game with heavy mobile suits and slow movement. On the other hand, Gundam Extreme VS. Maxiboost ON is a chaotic, lightning-fast arcade fighter. Armored Core VI can scratch either itch depending on how you play it, and the customization options let you make it a Gundam title in all but name. Even the story touches on some of the typical Gundam series themes. Any mecha fan should check it out. Just be prepared for a learning curve and some early game difficulty. Check my review for a more in-depth analysis!
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood is Still Worth Playing 30 Years Later
Did you watch Castlevania Nocturne? Do you want to learn more about the game it’s loosely based on? Pick up Castlevania Requiem on PS4, and you’ll get not only the best 2D classic Castlevania game, Rondo of Blood, but you’ll also get the legendary Symphony of the Night as well. I played Dracula X (the SNES reimagining) many years ago and always assumed they were the same. I was wrong. Rondo of Blood is entirely different and even includes Maria Renard as a playable character. Unfortunately, Symphony was redubbed, so classic lines like “What is a man? A miserable little pile of secrets!” are missing and rob it of some of its charm. Regardless, both are today still worth experiencing, and Rondo is worth the price alone. Now, let’s hope Netflix can fix the issues that Season 1 of Nocturne had and stick a little closer to the series lore.
And those are my picks! 2024 is already looking good for fans of Japanese games with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Persona 3 Reload, and Unicorn Overlord. Please keep checking back for our thoughts on these games as they approach. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you in the new year!
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