Dungeon Explorer and Nectaris

[Spector]

Is it possible to play the Japanese versions of these games if you can't understand Japanese? I know that Dungeon Explorer has an adventure element to it, and Nectaris is a strategy game, so are these games so text-based that they are for the Japanese only?

[esteban]

Well, for Dungeon Explorer, some of the hints about where to go next in your quest are in the text (granted, this doesn't happen too often and you can probably figure out most by trial - n - error). Otherwise, you'd only miss the anemic storyline. Of course, I say play the english-language version! I like following the story, however simple it is .

For Nectaris, though, you're not missing anything (go here for comparisons). The menu system / statistics displays are really basic, so that's not a problem. You can find a description of the weapons online (the game does have a nice built-in tutorial and guide for all weapons, but this is only used briefly, if at all, whilst you familiarize yourself with the game).

Dungeon Explorer - consider getting the NA version
Nectaris - get JP version

[Necromancer]

I second esteban's opinions.  Dungeon Explorer is pretty linear, so you shouldn't have much difficulty playing it in Japanese.  If you instantly get your ass handed to you, then you went the wrong way and need to turn around, go a different route, and collect a couple more gems to get your stats up.  Nectaris should be cake to figure out in Japanese, as the text doesn't really give any instructions - the mission objectives are the same on every map (kick ass & take names).

[Black Tiger]

If you have a CD playing setup, you should buy Neo Nectaris instead. Its relatively cheap, is one of the very best PCE games and it includes the original Nectaris on the same disc.

[esteban]

If you have a CD playing setup, you should buy Neo Nectaris instead. Its relatively cheap, is one of the very best PCE games and it includes the original Nectaris on the same disc.

Yes, I think this is a good idea .

[Spector]

I just have the original white PC Engine and I'm only interested in hucards right now.

This gives me an idea for another thread. It would be good if a definitive list was made of Japanese Hucard games that due to language barriers either cannot be played or are severely compromised. One such example would be World Court Tennis. The RPG mode is unplayable in the Jap version. A full list of games like this would be useful for English speaking forum members that are buying hucards so that they don't go and buy something they find they cannot play. Retrodelee's thread covers similar turf but it's not quite the same thing.

[lbblue]

I just have the original white PC Engine and I'm only interested in hucards right now.

This gives me an idea for another thread. It would be good if a definitive list was made of Japanese Hucard games that due to language barriers either cannot be played or are severely compromised. One such example would be World Court Tennis. The RPG mode is unplayable in the Jap version. A full list of games like this would be useful for English speaking forum members that are buying hucards so that they don't go and buy something they find they cannot play. Retrodelee's thread covers similar turf but it's not quite the same thing.

I second the motion, and for the same reasons.

[Black Tiger]

I just have the original white PC Engine and I'm only interested in hucards right now.

This gives me an idea for another thread. It would be good if a definitive list was made of Japanese Hucard games that due to language barriers either cannot be played or are severely compromised. One such example would be World Court Tennis. The RPG mode is unplayable in the Jap version. A full list of games like this would be useful for English speaking forum members that are buying hucards so that they don't go and buy something they find they cannot play. Retrodelee's thread covers similar turf but it's not quite the same thing.

It really depends on each person. Many gaijins like myself have fun and can breeze through most japanese RPGs.

If you're thinking that RPGs in general need to be in english, you can already find lists of PCE games by genre. You can also find a list of english walkthroughs for PC Engine games here, which usually make such games playable for almost anyone.

Even digital comics aren't unplayable to non-japanese speaking players. The only genre I can think that would really suffer from a language barrier would be management sims.