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[TotalAnarchy]

Many of you may know that I'm deeply fascinated by the Orient, as well as by any culture that shows a bit of individuality in this conglomerate that we call a Global Civilization. However what I want to talk about in this thread is of course games, the ones that have the faraway lands of Asia as a main theme, not only geographically, but also bringing the oriental culture into focus. If I leave matters at this point, some of you may be quick to point out that if you want to find Asia, search it in Asian titles; and so you'd refer me to the Japanese industry, as well as the Korean and Chinese cloning factories. Unfortunately matters are not that simple, for the Chinese are stuck in WoW and MMOs generally, the Koreans are stuck in Starcraft and Blizzard generally, and the Japanese, well they do their stuff, except it's mostly fantasy, sci-fi, horror - no games that actually make me feel the tempo of their world, at least in a stereotypical way.

Of course there are some works that draw inspiration from medieval China and the period of the Warring States, for example (KOEI's games come to mind, Sango Fighter from Taiwan) and also the feudal Japan. In this regard I'd mention the Onimusha series as being close to what I'm seeking, even though it features Jean Reno in the 3rd part, har har har. I don't know if the Japanese are shy or something, but there aren't that many titles which depict cultural details in a delicate way, so that I'd be amazed. I remember now a trailer for a Yakuza game (probably the third) which has a master stopping a katana with only 2 fingers. That video was on a whole different level, really loved it. Pity I can't find it.

I'm quite sure if you're reading this, you still don't understand what this guy is talking about. Well, to give you an example from the Japanese games, it's Shenmue, of course. This unfinished series isn't even placed in a historical period, but it manages to capture interesting bits from the Japanese way of life, and later the Chinese one. Even though you know that reality is indeed harsh, and Shenmue is just a work of fiction distanced from the current state of things, you just can't but stand in awe as you play the masterpiece. A little Sakuragaoka, and a Hong Kong, which at first seems bland, but later reveals its vibrant colors, succeed in pulling the player into a strange atmosphere. As many scholars would put it, East Asian mentality resides in considering stability as the main element for progress. And this principle is also Shenmue's drive. It's an epic adventure, at first apparently about revenge, but ultimately it tasks you with restoring the balance.

My opinion might be wrong, and I'm probably blind, but after browsing through the Japanese lists of games I can't find any other alternatives. Why do I say I probably fail? It's because I haven't played yet Okami, nor have I tried Team Ico's creations, which are, according to others, a bit eccentrical compared to the mainstream stuff. Thus I shift my attention towards the Sunset. Not long ago, I discovered Jade Empire, and rediscovered along with it, that Bioware can turn even the most weirdest of ideas into gold (ignoring the fact that KOTOR is a bugged mess). The gameplay mechanics are obviously reminiscent of the studio's Star Wars: Knight of the Old Empire and post-KOTOR RPGs, but at the same with a good dose of action, as you control your character directly in combat. As far as the concept goes, it's an amalgam of stereotypes we have about the Chinese culture modelled into a single product. Nothing has roots with the real China: the state is called Jade Empire, the Tho Fan language was invented for 2000$ at the University of Alberta, and the martial styles names are not related with the real ones. But the overall idea is there: the Jade Emperor, clay golems, China is at the center of the world - the rest are uncivilized barbarians, the Imperial City, martial arts and techniques...

You'll find weird stuff too, like aircrafts (this is medieval times we're talking about) and an Englishman who tries to "civilize" the locals, attempt which ends in a duel with you, to prove whose intelligence and physical prowess is superior. Subtle oriental humor, the proven Chinese inventivity and the splendor of both the Imperial City and the rural landscapes make from this epic trip, from the small village of Two Rivers, through Tien's Landing and ending with the capital, a must for every fanatical gamer, like me.

There's something alluring in the way we westerners view this alien world, underlining aspects that for a Japanese or Chinese would seem only natural. That's why I had high hopes for a project, that in the end, I suspect never evolved from the concept stage. It was supposed to be a trilogy of sorts. The first part was to be called Once Upon a Time in Japan: Earth, the developer was Abborado. Probably there was nothing else ready except these screens I'm showing you, but looking at them the landscapes and setting just beg me to play this point-and-click adventure. The story was about a retired samurai's struggle in the normal world. Pretty fresh compared to the multitude of world-saving games. Unfortunately it was never meant to be.

You probably noticed how media publishers consider the most comfortable China, the non-communist one. No wonder the other games that explore its cultural charms are placed in the 20s-30s of the previous century. Such is the case with Heart of China, another adventure, developed by Dynamix. The China between the wars is already a cliche, with the compulsory cargo airplane and the foreigner, who's either a pilot or part of the diplomatic service in the country. This is what HoC is, a small interesting adventure that displays some unoriginal clichees as only the 90s naivete can. Despite that I recommend it, because it's quite short, and in such little time the characters and the overall design didn't manage to get tiring. Currently I have my eyes on a new adventure called Lost Horizon, which takes place in 1936 China. Is it related to the novel or the subsequent movies? I don't know yet, but will find about when I get my hands on it for sure.

I know this is a roundabout way of asking, but please tell me which other games explore the Oriental culture in a way that has highly impressed you.