In case you didn't see it earlier, I posted about the game Densha De Go!! Hashirou Yamanote Sen (Go by Train!! Drive the Yamanote Line) on my Pixelfed account. You can check out the post (and boost, if you'd like...I know I would) here: https://pixelfed.social/i/web/post/663035428811957328
I was hoping to like it, but I also kind of bought it on a lark based purely on reviews / seeing it in action at Magfest.
So glad I did.
It's so very different than any game I've played before.
The game plays well on the Switch, in my opinion, but goodness someday I want to try it with the custom, arcade style controller that feels like you are genuinely leading a train.
But yea, in a lifetime of playing platformers, cozy games, and RPGs like Pokémon, a game simulating a Japanese commuter train was not on my list of expected games to get into in 2024.
My oldest went into the game VERY confident they were going to crush it. First level trying to manage to get the train to the first stop - blew past the stop by over 50 meters. Second stop, similar. Third, got closer to a few meters off. It was funny because of them going in overconfident. It's tougher than it looks!
My youngest two both played too. They played like 3-4 times each on the first set of levels. They're getting better each time, and one of them (Twin 1) actually passed one round.
Short version: Check the first post for some pics of a train game I imported, it's fun, my kids kind of like it too, I'm glad I took the risk and imported a new game outside of my normal wheelhouse.
New Game - Densha De Go!! Hashirou Yamanote Sen (Go by Train!! Drive the Yamanote Line)
After going to Magfest earlier this year, I saw crowds surrounding this large arcade machine where players were simulating operating a Japanese commuter. It looked fascinating and the controls looked wild.
After getting home, I discovered that one of the more recent versions of the game had been ported to the Nintendo Switch. I himmed and hawed for a while, but ultimately decided to import the game from Play Asia.
I am glad I did.
The game begins by introducing you to the controls. You are driving a train between stops on a commuter line. That's the basic premise. You have to turn off your lights when other trains pass; honk at train fans and folks standing too close to the tracks; and make sure you stop exactly at the end of the line to ensure commuters can enter / exit the train.
This is very much a timing based game; you have to hit buttons or pull back the brakes at precise moments to ensure that you actually stop on time. It makes for some unique challenges. My first few shots, I overshot the first stop by about 40 meters. My most recent attempt, I was about 40 centimeters off. I'm definitely getting better.
Now onto the difficulty for an English speaker like me - the entire game is in Japanese with no English language options. That can pose a challenge, but tireless fans of the franchise have spent tons of time translating all of the menu screens. With fan translations of the menus, I've had no difficulty navigating through the game.
This is a very different game for me and I found myself having a blast. Glad I got it. As are my kids as both of my twin 9 year olds have played and keep asking to borrow it.
They have to wait. I have commuters to help first...