Deep Dive Into Japanese Video Games With Staci Riddle

Discover your newest binge and get to know our staff a little better with Asia Society Texas team's favorite ways to stay entertained! Through our Deep Dive features, we take you on a journey into the interests of individual staff members for an in-depth look at an art form, genre, or pastime.

Meet Staci

Staci Riddle is part of Asia Society Texas' Guest Services team. She has always loved Japanese culture, so she majored in Asian Studies with a focus on Japan in college. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, and one of their favorite things to do together is play games. Staci also previously worked in video game retail, which was a fun way to combine her love of games with helping people.

Why I'm focusing on video games

The world of video games and video game fans is diverse — and global. If you watch video game streaming or log into an online game, you'll find yourself immersed in a place filled with many languages, cultures, and genres. Even movie adaptations of Asia-produced video games such as Super Mario Bros. or Pokemon have become popular on a global scale. Japan especially has many game development and publishing companies.

What I'm currently enjoying

I'm currently playing the Nintendo Switch game Jack Jeanne, which is produced by Broccoli Co. Ltd., a Japanese media company known for anime, manga, and video games.

This particular visual novel is exceptional because it features interesting and new gameplay for a visual novel-type game, as well as featuring music from Japanese composer Akira Kosemura.

Nintendo Switch | ESRB Rating: T
Find it on: Akysys Games

I'm also playing Palworld, which is a Japanese game produced by Pocket Pair, Inc., out of Kyoto. This developer is known for their open-world crafting games.

PC | ESRB Rating: T
Find it on: Steam

What I find myself returning to again and again

Not necessarily one game as much as a series of rhythm games — Hatsune Miku: Project Diva games are some of my favorites. Developed by Japanese video game and entertainment company Sega, and localized on multiple gaming platforms over time, these rhythm games feature a popular Japanese Vocaloid, or the popular computer-produced Japanese singing idol, Hatsune Miku.

Rhythm games are some of my favorite types of games because they are widely age-appropriate and yet challenging, and it can be simply fun to listen to the generally upbeat and playful soundtracks. I often find myself playing while my children watch and listen as Miku dances and sings onscreen. At Asia Society Texas, we have a similar type of rhythm game featured in one of our Explore Asia exhibition stations!

PS5 | ESRB Rating: T
Find it on: PlayStation Store

Projects I'm looking forward to

There are quite a few exciting Japanese rereleases or sequels coming out this year that I'm looking forward to — such as Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door — but I want to introduce something fresh and new: Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Coming from the same Japanese producers of the popular game series Shin Megami Tensei and, more specifically, the Persona games, this new game by Altus looks visually amazing as well as exciting for turn-based RPG fans looking for something new coming to the genre. Altus games typically feature a lot of Japanese anime-style animation, coupled with Japanese music composers producing the games' musical scores.

Xbox Series X|S | ESRB Rating: M (Mature ages 17+)
Learn more: Altus

A video game developer that excites me is

Idea Factory International, Inc., is another Japanese developer and publisher that releases and localizes amazing visual novel games. Something about these choose-your-own-adventure games keeps me coming back and feels very remniscent of watching an anime or reading a manga. The individual choices make your character feel like an extension of yourself, which makes for a much more immersive experience. I highly recommend their titles to anyone who enjoys a good rom-com, as they typically produce this genre.

Learn more: Idea Factory

My wildcard recommendation

My wildcard recommendation is one of my favorite games and genres. Its theme is a bit eccentric, but I recommend it for the unique experience it brings to the table: Danganropa is a series of detective-themed, puzzle/visual novel games that takes you on a crazy, slightly twisted ride that keeps you guessing "whodunit." Made by Spike Chunsoft, a Japanese publisher and localizer, the game begins in a Japanese-style school with a murder mystery-style premise. While I know the game art style looks a little childish, don't let it fool you: it's a game made for adults, with a mature rating of 17+.

Multiple platforms | ESRB Rating: M (Mature ages 17+)
Find it on: Danganronpa U.S.

About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar of events for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.

At Asia Society Texas, APAH Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Asians and Asian Americans and to uplift their stories to a broader audience as part of our goal to inspire our larger community to better understand one another through culture, conversation, and connection. For information about sponsoring APAH Month and other projects like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.

Presenting Sponsor of APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Sponsors of APAH Month
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Media Sponsor

APAH Month 2024 Calendar

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Past APAH Month Calendars

2023: Highlights | Details
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2021: Details

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.