An “Anime Weekend Sale” on Steam? What the hell is that even supposed to mean? Apparently it means games with anime-style art direction, even if they’re developed outside Japan.
This weekend’s sale has slapped some hefty discounts on several of Steam’s anime-style games, ranging from fighters and platformers to RPGs and visual novels.
Just like with any other Steam sale, there’s a huge variance in quality. And if you want to find something good you have to do some digging — which is a bit irritating this time around, considering almost all the games’ Store images are eye-catching but so many are visual novels. I like visual novels as much as the next shut-in, but they’re not what I turn to Steam for.
Back on point, let’s take a look at some notable titles that may just be worth a purchase this weekend while they’re on the cheap. These aren’t the only good games on sale this weekend, but they are worth a look if this weekend’s sale selection is overwhelming.
Rabi-Ribi
Genre: Metroidvania-bullet hell
Steam Store link
Price: $14.39 (Normally $17.99)
This Metroidvania-bullet hell hybrid is only 20% off but it’s one recent overlooked release that’s basically a must-play for Metroidvania fans even if they’re not all that crazy about bunny girls and cute CGs. This game is gratifyingly (see: brutally) difficult, mostly due to the bullet hell combat elements.
Every Metroidvania on Steam has its own gimmicks and this one’s are its disgusting cuteness and bullet dodging. It’s hard to finish Rabi-Ribi and not go back for another taste at a higher difficulty.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse
Genre: 3D fighter
Steam Store link
Price: $16.99 (Normally $49.99)
Dragon Ball Xenoverse came out last year amidst a pretty huge wave of brand new Dragon Ball media, including the new show and Resurrection of ‘F’ movie.
This online multiplayer fighter is a dream for fans of the series and lets them create a character to self-insert into the Dragon Ball storyline and fight alongside the Z Fighters. Online multiplayer is fun but don’t expect any semblance of balance. None at all.
Littlewitch Romanesque: Editio Regia
Genre: Raising sim strategy
Steam Store link
Price: $16.24 (Normally $24.99)
I might be biased here, considering I imported a physical copy of this game ages ago based on its art by Ooyari Ashito (all five of us Princess Maker 3 fans represent), but anyone with an inkling for raising sims or unique, cute games would find themselves at home raising Kaya and Aria in the magical arts.
This game is extremely dialogue-heavy, often too much so, but it’s unique and ultimately it’s hard to forget the bizarre raising aspects and overall comfortable feeling.
Umihara Kawase Trilogy
Genre: Platformer
Steam Store link
Price: $14.99 (Normally $29.99)
This is the one entry on this list that’s more than one game, mostly because if you like one of them you’ll like all three. The Umihara Kawase series only recently found its way outside of Japan but has been well-known among the importing community since the first game’s release in 1994.
All three of these are utterly unforgiving platformers where you have to use your fishing lure and rod to grapple onto platforms and swing to your destination in hopes of figuring out the route that actually finishes the game. Give any of the three trilogy games’ trailers a look, this series is hard to describe.
100% Orange Juice
Genre: Board game
Steam Store link
Price: $2.06 (Normally $6.99)
Do you hate your friends? Do your friends hate you? Do you want to learn the true meaning of hate in online multiplayer? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, 100% Orange Juice is for you.
100% Orange Juice is a card-based board game with a fair amount of unlocks, continued support from their publisher (not even the original Japanese version has online multiplayer), and a great deal of charm. It’s almost a sure bet if you’re looking for a game to play casually with friends, and the 4-pack is only $5.99 during this weekend’s sale.
Disgaea PC
Genre: Strategy RPG
Steam Store link
Price: $15.99 (Normally $19.99)
Disgaea isn’t so well-known just because it’s cute. The series has been going strong since the original PlayStation 2 release, and the Steam version brings the additional content added in the Afternoon of Darkness release, elongating what even at its most base is an absolute time-eater of a game.
There’s just a ton to character growth and building, not to mention the well-known and certainly reachable 9999 level cap. NIS America ironed out some of the issues Disgaea PC had at launch, making this now the best introduction to one of console game’s most popular strategy RPG series.
One Way Heroics
Genre: Sidescrolling roguelike RPG
Steam Store link
Price: $.87 (Normally $3.49)
Don’t let this game’s tiny price fool you into thinking it’s trash — if you like roguelikes and quirky games, it’s more than worth even the standard $3.49 price tag.
It’s hard to stop playing One Way Heroics once you get started. It keeps you walking forward, both during runs (which most often end before you’d like) and in overall progression. This is another one that’s hard to describe, but it is much better than it looks. Especially with the Plus DLC adding new content.
Mushihimesama
Genre: Shoot’em up (Shmup)
Steam Store link
Price: $9.99 (Normally $19.99)
One of developer CAVE’s better-known titles, Mushihimesama stands as one of the best-known shmups out there and one of the best on Steam.
You probably know if you like shmups. If you do and haven’t grabbed this one up yet, the lower base game sale price and 50% discount on the V1.5 DLC that adds the remixed Matsuri mode and the more aggressive MAX mod. The base game and the DLC are well-worth the buy for shmup fans. But let’s be honest: If you like the genre, you’ve probably bought it already.
Tales of Symphonia
Genre: RPG
Steam Store link
Price: $9.99 (Normally $19.99)
Generally regaled as one of if not the best Tales of game in the West, the Steam version of Tales of Symphonia was the first entry in the series to make it to the platform. It’s a classic and hard not to recommend.
While the game’s visuals are certainly dated, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in the story, characters, and battle system. Tales of Symphonia has mixed reviews on Steam due to the game being a technical mess when released, but Bandai Namco has and still is patching it to (hopefully) pristine condition.
Recettear: An Item Shop’s Tale
Genre: Shop sim, action dungeon crawler
Steam Store link
Price: $4.99 ($19.99)
Is it possible to go through the Anime Weekend Sale listings and not mention Recettear? No sir, I don’t think so.
One of the first Japanese games on Steam when it was released in 2010, Recettear is an exercise in stone-cold kawaii capitalism and action dungeon crawling. You own a shop, which you must stock with goods and then sell. Selling itself requires haggling and every customer is different–for better or for worse. And dungeon crawling, well…it’s fun.
There is nothing about this game that is not fun. If you somehow have not played Recettear: An Item Shop’s Tale yet, it’s time to get to it.
There are certainly many more worthwhile games on sale this weekend than the 10 listed here. My shortlist leading up to these 10 was less “short” and more “25+ games long”. If you’ve skimmed through this weekend’s sale, which titles would you recommend? Toss those opinions out in the comments lest my wallet stay obese!
Published: Apr 29, 2016 10:14 am