Summary
As the largest continent in the world, it’s no surprise that some of the best games on the market allow players to explore Asia. Through these games, developers have ensured that Asian culture, traditions, and environments are accessible and understood by the players who check out their games. The best games set in Asia provide players witha level of freedom and funto explore a variety of different countries.
RELATED:Best Video Game Easter Eggs
There are some great locations to explore in the best games that let players explore Asia. No matter the country bound to the game, the visuals and the gameplay are an exciting blend that will make players want to come back for more, even if it’s just to enjoy the immersion.
8Sleeping Dogs
Explore a grizzly side of Hong Kong inSleeping Dogs.This game has players take on the role of an undercover police officer, hiding among the worst and most brutal criminals of Hong Kong to infiltrate their trust and destroy their schemes and organizations without blowing their cover in this violent,neon city that never sleeps.
With fast cars, brutal combat, and a corrupt city,Sleeping Dogs' depiction of Hong Kong feels alive and exciting, and players can enjoy exploring through the various districts for this crime-thriller experience; including the numerous and bizarre DLCs.
7Yakuza: Like A Dragon
TheYakuzaseries takes on a bold new direction withLike A Dragon. No longer will players be running around as the iconic Kazuma Kiryu, or enjoying the button-mashing combat of fisticuffs. Instead,Yakuza: Like a Dragonfeatures a new protagonist as well as a turn-based combat style. Yet, this new introduction of Ichiban Kasuga and combatonly leads to more funand wild antics in modern-day Japan.
For the first time in the series, Tokyo and Kamurocho aren’t the feature, and players willexplore Yokohama. This bustling city has plenty of life in both its underworld and its streets, filled with the iconic and bizarre characters one would expect fromYakuzagames.
6Far Cry 4
Kyrat, a fictional country, inFar Cry 4,lies deep within the intimidating heights of the Himalayas. Inside, players will find a country filled with a beautiful culture and tradition, but at the same time, one steeped in violence in a seemingly never-ending conflict betweenthe tyrannical rule of Pagan Minand its freedom fighters.
RELATED:Best Open-World Games With Intricate Political Systems, Ranked
The locations inFar Cry 4are beautiful, filled with wonder and desperately dangerous wildlife. Not only can players find excitement within the narrative, but the locations truly makeFar Cry 4one of the most unique and loving locations of the entire series.
5Shenmue
Ryo Hazuki seeks information and revenge surrounding the death of his father inShenmue. Although this game, and its series, are not for everyone,Shenmueis still a beautiful game for those who wish to experience Japanese culture. There’s a lot of depth inShenmue, from its minigames, worlds, and NPCs, all of which, add to layers of immersion to explore Japan.
There is a lot to do inShenmueand a seemingly never-ending tale of adventure and mini-games. It’sa unique title that isn’t for everyone, and although outdated in gameplay, it still offers itself as a relic of video game culture worthy of exploring.
4Nioh
Niohtakes place in the age of samurai, in which a lone traveler finds himself lost on the shores of Japan.Niohis brutal, filled with violent enemies of all manners of the supernatural variety. Players will explore wild lands, filled withunimaginable beauty, violence, and miseryas they attempt to fight their way to the answers that they seek.
RELATED:Open-World Games With Unpredictable AI
Niohgives players the ability to create their protagonist and to build their own story as they fight their way through this riveting Soulslike. However, players might need to be brave and skilled enough to take on the Yokai threats of this ancient and fictional Japan.
3Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
On the topic of Soulslike, another great game that allows players to explore Asia isSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, a more unique Soulslike from the very creators themselves, FromSoftware.Sekiro: Shadows Die Twicealso takes place in a fictional Japan with real-life inspiration from centuries ago. As a fallen one-armed wolf, players must take on the role of an undying warrior as they attempt to save their young lord and kill anyone or anything that gets in the way.
DespiteSekiro: Shadows Die Twicepriding itself on its difficulty, and itsimmense parrying mechanics, the game deserves the utmost credit for the world that it has built. The locations inSekiro: Shadows Die Twiceare beautiful, captivating, and filled with monsters in need of murder.
2Jade Empire
One of BioWare’s more forgotten games,Jade Empirestill holds up as a classic for multiple reasons. Not only will players assume the role of a martial arts master, but their decisions and morality can directly influence the fate of theJade Empire, in which they could be responsible for the thriving beauty of the land, or its total destruction. Choice and combat play a key part inJade Empire.
Jade Empiremay be a tad outdated with its combat systems, but it’s still a fun one that players want tosee return in some capacity.Jade Empirealso features a nice depiction steeped in culture and narrative that players can explore.
1Ghost of Tsushima
Ghost of Tsushimais a love letter to Japan and the island of Tsushima. Players will take on the role of Jin Sakai, a rising samurai who has seen his lands and his people invaded and ravished by Mongol invaders. There is a moral dilemma with Jin, as he tries to take back his homeland through any means, even if that means disavowing the honorableways of the noble samuraifor the stealthy arts of assassination and hiding in the shadows.
The beautifully crafted and tragic story aside,Ghost of Tsushimais a beauty on nearly every front thanks to its exploration of feudal Japan. The lands are filled with mystique and beauty, makingGhost of Tsushimanot only a must-play open-world game, but one of the best games to explore Japan and its culture.
MORE:Open-World Games That Showcase Diverse Cultures and Traditions
