The Eastern and Western gaming industries have produced many iconic games over the years. If you were born after 1990, though, then there are high chances you may have witnessed some of the most brutal conflicts known to man. It was a battle between two powerhouses from the east. As a result, families then were divided. Friendships were destroyed, brother turned against brother, and lines were drawn in the sand with blood and dust.
This phenomenon was the console wars, and as our lady and savior Taylor Swift sang, the console wars left with a “legacy.” It began when Nintendo released the INES – a home entertainment console. Then, SEGA’s release of Master System kickstarted the console war. It began a love affair of the generation with video games.
The battle has since continued over a decade, as new systems joined the battle and technological prowess evolved. As fans argued over which side had the best console, a curious divide became more ostentatious. The divide surpassed the consoles and became more cultural.
Here are the differences between video game philosophy between the East and West!
Eastern
For other gamers, a game of baccarat ph might be irresistible. But for video game players, it’s not that hard to turn it down. Video games for them might hold the bigger value – and on a deeper level, Eastern-style games are where it’s at.
- Animation style – The appeal of Eastern games on a surface level may be traced back to the animation style. Eastern games, such as Genshin Impact and Pokemon, favor more colorful art styles due to the influence of manga and anime. The art styles are more stylized and easier on the eyes. Some titles with evidently anime-inspired influences are Mario, the Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy.
- Main Character/s – In Eastern games, you may often find the same type of hero made popular by early titles like Dragon Quest. The protagonist has a clear, precise goal that takes them through a grand adventure where they form bonds with other people along the way. The heroine may also end up saving the world from a deity. The game’s final battle culminates in a celestial battle against a god. Perfect examples of this trope include Ni No Kuni and Final Fantasy. Most protagonists are in their teens, too.
- Narrative – In Eastern narratives, the importance of hard work is often emphasized. The protagonist has to be mentored and undergo brutal training.
- Linearity – In terms of linearity, Eastern games are pretty straightforward.
- Gameplay – Eastern games tend to favor “grinding” – in line with their value of hard work and thoroughness.
Western
The Western game world also has much to offer.
- Animation style – Western games lean towards realism in character design.
- Main Character/s – The main characters of Western games are middle-aged men. Their goals are more personal.
- Narrative – When it comes to narrative, the “underdog” thematics resonate strongly with Western culture
- Linearity – Western gameplay and preferences align more with giving players more choices. Such choices affect the outcome of the narrative and more flexibility.
- Gameplay – Western gameplay can also be challenging. They also remain gritty, but that is nothing payroll cannot handle.
Wrapping Up
It is hard to decide the winner because what makes a certain game better than the other is determined by the quality and the player’s taste. It’s hard to compare one good thing to another. It’s also possible that you can enjoy both sides by side.
