From fantasy worlds to faraway galaxies, games have the power to push the boundaries of imagination. Yet, developers also draw inspiration from real-life locations. And the Asian continent has proved a visually-stunning backdrop for many an epic story. With such a prominent role in the industry, Japan has had ample screen time over the years. But other Asian countries have had their chance to shine. So, here are four top video games for an enticing trip to Asia.
From ancient Greece to North America, the Assassins have traveled far. As announced recently by Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed will go back to its Middle-Eastern roots with the next installment. But in the mid-2010s, the infamous action-adventure franchise took on an Asian twist with the Chronicles spin-offs.
The first of three titles, Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China introduces the second-ever female assassin in the saga, Shao Jun. The game follows her attempts to restore the Brotherhood in 16th-century China. A year later, a second spin-off headed to 19th-century Colonial India. Kashmiri Assassin Arbaaz Mir gets entangled in a conflict with the Templars over the mythical Koh-I-Noor diamond. As well as parkouring across Amritsar, players can wield an array of traditional Indian weapons. And Asian fans may rejoice, as the franchise will explore feudal Japan in no time.
Japanese history has proven an endless source of inspiration for game developers. Many games revisit the bloody Sengoku period, such as Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima travels further back in time to the Kamakura era. Players impersonate a samurai named Jin Sakai as he fights to push back the Mongolian troops sweeping across the island of Tsushima.
While combat may seem like this action RPG’s strong suit, Ghost of Tsushima also offers gamers the opportunity to explore their environment freely. And the game’s open world is a marvel to look at. Inspired by early samurai films, the Sucker Punch studio developed a stunning art style served by gorgeous graphics. With gameplay leaving players to go at their own pace, gamers may even soak up the sights while meditating in front of a Shinto shrine or resting in a tranquil hot spring.
Many mobster games take place somewhere in the United States or Sicily. Published in 2012 by Square Enix, Sleeping Dogs takes a different approach and transports gamers to the back streets of Hong Kong. This action-adventure entry has players take on the role of Wei Shen, an undercover Chinese-American cop infiltrating a Triad organization.
Blending role-playing elements with martial arts combat, Sleeping Dogs is a fresh spin on the genre. But this open-world game mostly shines in its lifelike depiction of Hong Kong. The highly detailed recreation of the Cantonese city is a gem for players to navigate as they hop between side missions, hit the nightclubs of Lan Kwai Fong, or stroll along the Aberdeen Promenade.
The Yakuza franchise kicked off in 2005. The series has become a worldwide success since then, spawning eight main installments, countless spin-offs, and a prequel. SEGA’s iconic saga is an endearing mix of hand-to-hand combat, action-adventure, and open-world exploration. While modern settings may lack the magic of an enchanting trip through time, the neon-clad districts of Japanese megacities are just as fun to navigate.
Putting in the shoes of a reformed mobster, players can engage in a variety of side quests and missions. They may throw punches at random punks before recovering at a hostess club. Mini-games also abound, ranging from batting cages to casinos and pachinko parlors. Incidentally, the franchise may well have inspired some real-life machine slots. Including Yakuza-themed games, top platforms like VegasSlotsOnline boast the most extensive library online. Players can search over thousands of free slots by top-notch software providers. From classics to video slots, all are mobile-friendly. And table games are just as easy to access to get the fun going.
Video games set in Asia are a varied bunch. And we’ve left out quite a few remarkable entries, from mythology-infused games like Raj: An Ancient Epic to action-packed journeys like Tomb Raider Legend. But the bottom line is, you’ve got plenty of options to travel to the most beautiful spots in Asia, if only virtually.
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