Just two days after a typhoon ripped through the area, game developers, distributors, gamers, and otaku alike filed into the Makuhari Messe Convention Center just outside of Tokyo, to attend the Tokyo Game Show 2019. While there were slightly fewer companies attending this year, TGS 2019 did see a new record of 2,417 booths (2,338 last year) which means plenty of games to try, and things to see.
The largest promotional event was Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII Remake, being shown-off at both the Sony PlayStation and Square Enix booth. The original Final Fantasy VII was released on the PlayStation One in 1997, and is arguable one of the most beloved titles in the series. Visitors at the Sony booth could have their picture taken while wielding Cloud Strife’s massive sword.
The other big title this year was Capcom’s Monster Hunter World: Iceborne expansion, which is actually a game in itself than simply an expansion. While Sony had playable demos of the game, the Capcom booth displayed life-sized monsters. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne was released last week.
This year, SEGA combined their booth with their subsidiary Atlas, promoting the upcoming Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Persona 5 Royal, both for the PS4, as well as the Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games for the Nintendo Switch. Other titles included the Hatsune Miku: Project Diva MegaMix for the Switch, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim for the PS4, as well as games in their SEGA Partners division including Granblue Fantasy: Versus, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Shenmue III, and Star Wars Jedi: The Fallen Order.
Konami continues to make its comeback with such upcoming titles as Contra: Rogue Corps, and Super Bomberman R. Though most of their efforts are being put into the mobile gaming market, with such playable games as Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, Dance Dance Revolution, and Beat Mania II DX.
Due to the lack of room, this year saw a lot less arcade-targeted VR titles, and more home oriented ones, including the dancing game Space Channel 5, and a meteor shooting game by students at Kobe Denshi College. Also, with over 4 million units sold, Sony is far from giving up on their PlayStation VR, with such playable games as Marvel’s Iron Man VR, Concrete Genie, and a new Hatsune Miku VR game.
One of the cooler VR accessories I saw were the Cybershoes by a Kickstarter group. Resembling beach sandals, you strap them to your feet or shoes, sit in a chair, and simulate walking or running while playing your favorite VR title. Simple but effective.
With all those extra booths this year, the Indie game area was packed tight with playable titles. Some that I played included Magical Girl’s Chronicle: Magusphere, which combined the cuteness of magical girls with the violence of blowing up tanks and enemies with guns and bazookas. And Liberated by Polish company Walkabout, where you literally play through the panels of a graphic novel. Both games will be out on the PS4 next year.
Overall, there were no big surprises this year at the Tokyo Game Show 2019, but still had plenty to offer and gave us a peak at what’s to come.
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written by Damon Finos
