Yo-kai Watch
Platform: 3DS
Developer: Level-5
Publisher: Level-5, Nintendo
Author: K.D.
From one of my favourite developers, Yo-kai Watch is an interesting game. Now, let me tell you why! We only recently received it in North America, but it’s actually been out since the summer of 2013 in Japan. Imagine your favourite Pokemon game… well, this is essentially that with Digimon devices! How much better could a game get?
While bug hunting in some woods (because who doesn’t do that?), the main character, Nate, finds a little machine that houses the Yo-Kai Whisper who gives Nate his very own Digi-device- er… Yo-kai watch. He encounters new friends and Yo-kais who come to his aid when in battle against the more mischievous enemies. How does he befriend new Yo-Kai, you ask? FOOD. The way to anyone’s heart is good food. He gets to keep six of his friends with him whenever battle begins.
Battles are interesting, though if I have to be honest they are also a little less engaging than games of its ilk. So here are the components of a battle. On the touchscreen, there is a wheel with all six of your Yo-Kai, along with buttons in the corners: Soultimate, Target, Items, and Purify. Soultimate is the active yo-kai’s special attack, and this is the only time in battle you can give orders to your friends. They just do what they feel like. “Soultimate” activates one of three mini-games (spin the wheel to fill a gauge, tap on coins, or trace symbols). Using this attack depletes the spirit gauge for that yo-kai (each battle begins with all spirit gauges filled), which can then be replenished over time or with certain items. “Target” determines which enemy your friends smack, or for bosses, focusing on weak points. “Purify” is used to remove status effects on your little buddies. Once again, the success of the purification is determined by mini-games!
Yo-kai don’t have set “types” like ice, dragon, flying, or little bundle of cute (Togepi all the way), instead they have tribes. These tribes affect fighting styles and stats, and there are 8 in total. They are: Brave (boosted STR stat), Mysterious (boosted SPR stat), Tough (boosted DEF stat), Charming (boosted SPD stat), Heartful (healers), Shady (status inflictors and hp leech), Eerie (Inspirit abilities), and Slippery (difficult to hit and inspirit). Inspirit abilities are innate abilities that certain yo-kai possess that boost stats or inflict debilitating status effects.
Gotta catch ‘em all!
This game feels like a newer Pokemon game, though the battle system is quite different. But it’s got the same RPG explore everything and catch ‘em all feel to it. That being said, the world in which is set is much, much richer than that of Pokemon. It’s a fun, exciting world that emanates lighthearted charm through and through—even when dealing with not so happy topics. If you’re considering trying out this game, Kallie Plagge, for IGN, explains it best: “Yo-Kai Watch’s gameplay is inconsistent, but its world is compelling.” If you can live with a sometimes frustrating battle system and a thirst for exploration, then this is the game for you!
If you need your fix of Yo-Kai outside of the game, have no fear! There’s an anime. Enjoy!
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