Anime and video games are different mediums. Shocking, we know.
What makes video game anime tick isn’t always good for video games.
We still want a game that follows video game anime mechanics.
Pretty please?
Video game anime has been around for a long time — and it’s still often the better part of seasonal releases. The best anime of this subgenre are, of course, about the joy of exploration and adventure, though they also have one major downside — they make us want to play these specific games.
Different mediums
We want to let you in on a little secret: video games and anime are two entirely different mediums. Sure, there are video games based on anime and vice versa — but they both have different strengths, weaknesses, and things that make them tick.
The Pokemon anime, for example, has always been separate from the game mechanics. It ignores Pokemon levels (which leads to Ash’ Pikachu constantly losing to new regional starters), it changes mechanics of Pokemon moves and abilities, and it generally goes for what makes a better, more cinematographic experience.
Likewise, video game adaptations of anime have to constantly change things up for better gameplay — for example characters in Dragon Ball FighterZ are roughly equalized in their power levels, allowing Nappa to take on Perfect Cell, and letting Yamcha fight Beerus.
And video game anime not based on actual games has its own share of potential problems.
Video games based on anime based on video games that don’t exist
Most of these anime have a few things in common. Characters get new levels as they kill mobs, but the skills are raised as they are used. Also, there are abilities and titles that could only be obtained through unique conditions and scenarios, rewarding exploration and unique play styles.
We’ve seen these kinds of mechanics in BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense (Itai no wa Iya nanode Bougyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu), A Playthrough of a Certain Dude's VRMMO Life (Toaru Ossan no VRMMO Katsudouki) and even So I'm a Spider, So What? (Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?), and every time these fantastic adventures make us want to play something similar.
Except, these experiences are just not feasible. We aren’t even talking about the inevitable Full Immersion VR part of the equation. Not even the MMO part. We are talking about the “games with limitless leveling possibilities and unique scenarios”.
Creating a video game at all is a lengthy, difficult process that could cost literally millions of dollars even with a relatively rigid leveling system. Each branch of the skill tree adds workload exponentially, in terms of coding, testing and balancing the entire thing. Major MMOs (like World of Warcraft) have rigid skill trees with little room for customized builds. Some games do go for it, but they have a much smaller scale (roguelikes).
Additionally, “using a skill to level it” is fun from an anime narrative standpoint, but is another hell and a half to balance, especially separate from the levels (why not cast the same Firebolt a thousand times to get 10th level Fire Magic at the start of the game?). Games like the Elder Scrolls series sorta do this, except they tie level to skills.
But still. With the amount of traction anime like Bofuri, Shangri-La and even Sword Art Online get, you would’ve thought someone would make a proper game with those mechanics already. No need for an MMO, but we want a fun, highly customizable character building and leveling experience, and we want it now!
Bandai Namco? Sony? Activision-Blizzard? Anyone?
Summary:
Anime and video games are different mediums. Shocking, we know.
What makes video game anime tick isn’t always good for video games.
We still want a game that follows video game anime mechanics.
Pretty please?
Video game anime has been around for a long time — and it’s still often the better part of seasonal releases. The best anime of this subgenre are, of course, about the joy of exploration and adventure, though they also have one major downside — they make us want to play these specific games.
Different mediums
We want to let you in on a little secret: video games and anime are two entirely different mediums. Sure, there are video games based on anime and vice versa — but they both have different strengths, weaknesses, and things that make them tick.
The Pokemon anime, for example, has always been separate from the game mechanics. It ignores Pokemon levels (which leads to Ash’ Pikachu constantly losing to new regional starters), it changes mechanics of Pokemon moves and abilities, and it generally goes for what makes a better, more cinematographic experience.
Likewise, video game adaptations of anime have to constantly change things up for better gameplay — for example characters in Dragon Ball FighterZ are roughly equalized in their power levels, allowing Nappa to take on Perfect Cell, and letting Yamcha fight Beerus.
And video game anime not based on actual games has its own share of potential problems.
Video games based on anime based on video games that don’t exist
Most of these anime have a few things in common. Characters get new levels as they kill mobs, but the skills are raised as they are used. Also, there are abilities and titles that could only be obtained through unique conditions and scenarios, rewarding exploration and unique play styles.
We’ve seen these kinds of mechanics in BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense (Itai no wa Iya nanode Bougyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu), A Playthrough of a Certain Dude's VRMMO Life (Toaru Ossan no VRMMO Katsudouki) and even So I'm a Spider, So What? (Kumo desu ga, Nani ka?), and every time these fantastic adventures make us want to play something similar.
Except, these experiences are just not feasible. We aren’t even talking about the inevitable Full Immersion VR part of the equation. Not even the MMO part. We are talking about the “games with limitless leveling possibilities and unique scenarios”.
Creating a video game at all is a lengthy, difficult process that could cost literally millions of dollars even with a relatively rigid leveling system. Each branch of the skill tree adds workload exponentially, in terms of coding, testing and balancing the entire thing. Major MMOs (like World of Warcraft) have rigid skill trees with little room for customized builds. Some games do go for it, but they have a much smaller scale (roguelikes).
Additionally, “using a skill to level it” is fun from an anime narrative standpoint, but is another hell and a half to balance, especially separate from the levels (why not cast the same Firebolt a thousand times to get 10th level Fire Magic at the start of the game?). Games like the Elder Scrolls series sorta do this, except they tie level to skills.
But still. With the amount of traction anime like Bofuri, Shangri-La and even Sword Art Online get, you would’ve thought someone would make a proper game with those mechanics already. No need for an MMO, but we want a fun, highly customizable character building and leveling experience, and we want it now!
