Mythology plays a huge role in a lot of games, whether it be taking loose inspiration for a monster design, or basing༒ entire games around a specific culture&r💃squo;s mythology. Perhaps one of the most celebrated mythologies in video games is Japanese mythology, which has made an appearance in quite a few games.

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Whether it's a slight nod and a wink to certain aspects of the mythology or a game dedicated to the plethora of terrifying monsters and engrossing stories found within the mythos, Japanese mythology has a tendency to find its way into the heart of many games. From terrifyingly tricky titles to over-the-top thrill rides, there are so many games that’ll teach you a thing or two about Japanese mythology.

6 Nioh

An image from Nioh 2, showing a character weilding a kusarigama against a demon

The Nioh games offer players a dark and gritty reimagining of Edo period Japan filled with frightening monsters, visually stunning vistas, and towering bosses wielding inexplicably large weapons. Like many games in the souls-like genre, Ni🌳oh relies heavily on its mythological influences to tell its story, utilizing familiar creatures and settings to convey its brilliantly 🐻bleak world ruined by war.

While the first game used a dark and grungy color palette, its sequel utilized color to a 💯far greater degree and leaned more heavily into the fantastical nature of Japanese mythology. Nevertheless, both games expertly showcase the more horrific side of Japanese mythology in a ဣtruly engaging and engrossing way.

5 Okami

Key Art Showing Ameterasu from Okami

While not always colorful and child-friendly, Okami does offer one of the more relaxed and wholesome experiences when it comes to showcasing the fantastical elements of Japanese mythology. It never strays too far away from some of th🌃e more compellingly dark aspects - such as the genuinely terrifying monsters - but it always ensures to coat it in a beautiful and colorful tint.

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Ok♏ami is by far one of the most beautiful interpretations of Japanese mythology, and likely one of the most fondly remembered. Its charming approach to the exploration of certain characters, themes, and monsters makes it an accessible and enjoyable experience wi💦thout ever sacrificing the quality or genuinely engrossing aspects of Japanese mythology.

4 🍸Ghost Of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima Mask

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Ghost of Tsushima rarely explores the mythological side of Japanese culture, and instead focuses on its history. It does a great job of this too as there are a plethora of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:amazing historical details to 👍be found throughout its lengthy runtime. However, throughout the main story and more importantly its expansion, Legends, there are many references and nods to Japanese mythology.

Of course, the more fantastical-focused expansion, Legends, features a range of mythological elements. However, even within the main game, there are little hints to the wider, more magical side of Japanese culture. While perhaps not explored to the extent it could be in Ghost of Ts♔ushima, perhaps a sequel will offer a more extensive look into the wonderful weirdness in Japanese mythology.

3 🎃 Yo-Kai Watch 🀅

Yo-Kai Watch promo art with logo and characters

Unlike practically every game on this list, the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Yo-kai Watch series takes the often bizarre and scary aspects of Japanese mythology and turns them into cute collectible creatures with which to populate your coming-of-age adventure in rural Japan. While unfortunately not quite as popular as its competition, Pokemon, the Yo-kai Watch series explores the world of spirits and monsters found in Japanese mythology in a wholesome and extremely famil꧙y-friendly way.

That’s not to say that the Yo-kai Watch games are without merit to those of a slightly older persuasion. In fact, the Yo-kai Watch games are fairly accessible to all ages, as they offer a deli💧ghtful sense of nostalgia to Studio Ghibli fans or those who happened to grow up in Japan as a child. The colorful and varied yokai found in Yo-kai Watch are all distinctly delightful and make the oftentimes terrif🍸ying Japanese mythology far more approachable.

2 Sakuna:𒀰 Of Rice A⛦nd Ruin

Sakuna the harvest goddess farming in Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin sought to take the best parts of Japanese mythology and combine them with fresh new ideas. Utilizing a lot of iconographies commonly associated with Japanese mythology and even just Japan itself, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin perfectly contextualizes its wonderful world.

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However, there is a lot of originality in Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin as it doesn’t strictly adhere to all the conventions and tropes found in Japanese mythology. It introduces its own characters, creatures, and places to ensure that it doesn’t borrow too heavily, which makes the experience feel distinct and fresh. Nevertheless, you’ll absolutely be able to s🌠pot a lot of familiar faces from Japanese mythology in this stunning side-scrolling action ๊platformer.

1 Shadow Warrior ꦏ ܫ

ShadowWarrior3 art of characters

While one doesn’t always associate guns with Japanese mythology, perhaps after playing any of the 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Shadow Warrior games one may change their mind. Successfully combining the horrific monsters and creatures of Japanese mythology with the fast-paced frantic gunplay originally found in the Doom games, the Shadow Warrior series has offered hours of visceral and fantastical fun for decades.

The reboot and its sequels have offered some of the best-looking interpretations of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:familiar mythological creatures, as well as some over-the-top humor and incr🌼edible set pieces. While not always perfect, if you’re looking for a fun combination between guns and mythology, then the Shadow Warrior games are absolutely for you.

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