Best Spike Chunsoft Games, Ranked

Summary

Spike Chunsoft is famous for visual novels and enthralling adventures post-2012 merger.
The company has released a variety of games across platforms and genres, from professional wrestling to detective mysteries.
Key series include early Dragon Quest , Danganronpa , and AI: The Somnium Files .

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the list you’ve provided is a veritable treasure trove of intrigue and captivating storytelling. From the visually stunning and action-packed “Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot” to the mind-bending mysteries of “AI: The Somnium Files”, each game offers a unique and immersive experience that leaves one yearning for more.

Before their 2012 merger, the company now known as Spike Chunsoft was primarily recognized for developing the renowned Dragon Quest series (creating the first five installments), and for crafting the Danganronpa series by Spike. Since then, Spike Chunsoft has earned a reputation for creating visual novels, captivating adventures, and intellectually stimulating detective stories, amassing a substantial collection of timeless titles in their catalog.

Ever since the merger, they’ve been consistently creating and launching an extensive array of games on all primary platforms, spanning multiple gaming genres. From wrestling games to captivating psychological detective mysteries, not forgetting some engaging anime adaptations, Spike Chunsoft has produced a number of must-play titles.

10. Torneko’s Great Adventure: Mystery Dungeon

The Merchant Is Going Rogue

Initially appearing as a playable character in “Dragon Quest 4”, Torneko later got his own spin-off game titled “Torneko’s Great Adventure“. This spin-off game is the beginning of the Mystery Dungeon series. In this roguelike RPG, Torneko’s objective is to build a well-known store by exploring various dungeons with random layouts in search of items to stock his shop.

Originally available only in Japan, the game was intended for a Western launch. Regrettably, that didn’t happen. At the time, reviews were exceptionally positive, and the game managed to sell well enough to keep the series going. Spike Chunsoft even produced spin-offs featuring collaborations with both Pokémon and Final Fantasy.

9. 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

Number Nine

9 individuals trapped aboard a sinking vessel must find a way to escape within 9 hours by unlocking 9 doors. In this game, you, as college student Junpei, are challenged to unravel mysteries and solve puzzles to save yourself and the 8 other captives from meeting a watery demise on the cruise ship.

999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, primarily an interactive visual novel with significant impact of player choices, was a striking success in North America. Although it faced some indifference in Japan, it spawned a sequel and the subsequent Zero Escape series, but nothing quite compares to the original.

8. Fire Pro Wrestling World

Squared Circle Strategy

Following some fan discontent with Spike Chunsoft’s previous Fire Pro Wrestling game a few years back, they decided to revisit the elements that made the series popular – strategic wrestling action. Fire Pro Wrestling World is arguably the best in the series thanks to its extensive customization options and engaging gameplay, which relies on timing and strategy.

In this game, you’ll find a roster of top-tier wrestlers officially licensed from New Japan Pro Wrestling. Stars like Kazuchika Okada and Zack Sabre Jr. are playable, along with over 50 others who were popular at the time. Additionally, you can purchase DLC to access more than 20 joshi wrestlers from Stardom. The vibrant art style and isometric perspective might not be for everyone, but many wrestling enthusiasts believe it offers the most authentic grappling experience available.

7. Dragon Quest 3

Chunsoft’s Finest

As Chunsoft released five Dragon Quest games before their merger with Spike, it makes sense to feature just one game in this context, and without a doubt, Dragon Quest 3 stands out as the most prominent. This title was even awarded Famitsu’s Game of the Year, among other honors. It tells the story of “the Hero” who sets out to gather allies to save the world from the evil archfiend Baramos.

In this latest iteration, gameplay has been polished significantly compared to earlier games, and the introduction of a dynamic day/night cycle within an open world was groundbreaking for the series. In 2024, an HD-2D remake became available, offering players the chance to experience this game with the benefits of contemporary gaming technology and enhanced graphics.

6. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

The Best Of Spike

As a movie connoisseur, I must confess that Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, a masterpiece by Spike, was met with internal debate during its creation. This captivating visual novel seamlessly blends elements from dating simulators, third-person shooters, and detective mysteries into one intriguing narrative. However, the darker undertones and high levels of violence were not universally appreciated within the company, making it a divisive project.

Players take charge of Makoto Naegi, spending their days navigating the campus of Hope’s Peak Academy in a quest to uncover who is responsible for a series of murders within the school. The “Class Trials”, reminiscent of the Ace Attorney series, offer unique gameplay that has been highly praised by reviewers.

5. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

Danganronpa: Lost

Drawing inspiration from the widely acclaimed TV series Lost, the video game Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair ventures beyond the school premises and into a lush tropical island setting. While retaining most of its core gaming aspects, it introduces a new feature, the “Rebuttal Showdowns”, during trials, where characters engage in intense verbal duels instead.

The new setting and captivating characters won praise from critics, yet some felt disappointed by the limited gameplay advancements and lack of complexity. Despite these issues, many found it more enjoyable than its predecessor, and it spawned various spin-offs like an anime series, additional games, and sequels.

4. Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

Kamehameha!

Spike Chunsoft has a rich background in creating top-notch games based on popular anime titles like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and One Punch Man, among others. Among their impressive lineup, the upcoming fighting game, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero (2024), stands out as the best yet. Hailing from the Budokai Tenkaichi series, this game offers various play modes and a roster of more than 180 fighters.

The game garnered acclaim as it catered equally to enthusiasts of the animated series and those new to the franchise. Notably, the Episode Battle stood out with its multiple storylines, captivating graphics, and the diverse nature of combat ensuring every battle felt distinctive.

Game modes:

Episode Battle – a single-player story mode with eight playable characters.
Custom Battle – a new mode allowing players to create their own scenarios.
Battle Mode – an online tournament with various victory conditions.
Ranked Match – online matchmaking earns players rankings.
Tournament Mode – create or join an online tournament. It’s also possible to play offline tournaments with automatically generated AI opponents.

3. Master Detective Archive: Rain Code

The Forgetful Sleuth

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code, a creation influenced by Tim Burton’s works and crafted by some of the minds behind Danganronpa, tells the story of an apprentice detective struggling with amnesia. Accompanied by his ally, Shinigami, Yuma Kokohead embarks on an investigation into the Ameratsu Corporation within Kanai Ward.

Instead of sticking with the traditional 2D models on 3D backdrops, Spike Chunsoft has opted for 3D character models across the entire game. The setting is divided between a real-world location called Kanai Ward and the enigmatic Mystery Dungeon, where players engage in puzzles and discussions reminiscent of those found in the beloved Danganronpa series.

2. AI: The Somnium Files

A Mystery Of Two Halves

In a new endeavor, the mastermind behind the Zero Escape series, Kotaro Uchikoshi, aimed to develop a game featuring streamlined gameplay and enhanced character designs, which eventually resulted in the creation of AI: The Somnium Files. In this futuristic Tokyo setting, players take on the role of detective Kaname Date as he investigates a bizarre case involving a corpse with a missing eye.

As a film critic, I found myself captivated by the unique narrative of this game. The protagonist, who bears the scar of losing an eye six years prior due to an attack, adds a layer of depth to the storyline. One intriguing aspect of the gameplay is the utilization of the “Psync Machine,” which allows players to delve into the subconscious of unyielding suspects or witnesses grappling with their experiences. By doing so, valuable information can be gleaned and the mystery gradually unravels, making this a truly engrossing experience.

1. AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative

The Plot Thickens

Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One
Released: 2022-06-23
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Genre: Adventure, Visual Novel

Six years following the storyline of the initial game, players find themselves guiding Kaname Date’s daughter, Mizuki, and Kuroto Ryuki, as they delve into the “Half-Body Murders” case. In contrast to earlier occurrences where only the right side of the victims was found, a full six years later, it is the left half that has appeared, seemingly untouched by decay.

In this game, you’ll experience an engaging narrative presented in the visual novel format, along with the freedom to explore from a third-person perspective. The “Psyncing” process remains a central feature, much like it was in the previous version. Critics have praised its compelling storytelling, vivid characters, and intriguing overall theme.

2024-12-18 11:35