In terms of gameplay, the methodical survival horror of the Resident Evil franchise couldn't be more dissimilar to the open-world samurai action of Ghost of Tsushima. But they have at least one thing in common: both are set in countries and cultures that are not their creator's own.
Speaking to IGN, former Capcom producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi commented on the success of Ghost of Tsushima, a game set in feudal Japan and developed by the US-based Sucker Punch, and noted the parallel between it and the Japanese-developed Resident Evil franchise, primarily set in America.
Kobayashi commented on the matter: "As a game about Japan made by non-Japanese developers, Ghost of Tsushima kind of reminded me how we, as Japanese developers, made a horror game set in the United States with Resident Evil back in the day. At the time, it might have been surprising for people that it was made by Japanese developers."
It's a surprising point and one we hadn't previously considered. Praise was heaped upon Ghost of Tsushima by Japanese developers when it launched, particularly the amount of research that went into its creation, even if some aspects were anachronistic. And while it is true that Resident Evil never billed itself as creating some kind of authentic American setting (unless the zombies were actually an allegory all along), the games themselves have found massive success with a global audience.
Kobayashi continues: "I think this shows that no matter what country or culture you make your game about, as long as you seriously study the topic and put your heart into it, there’s always a chance." It's a hopeful outlook and a sentiment we would echo.
What do you think of this parallel between Ghost of Tsushima and Resident Evil? Do you agree with Kobayashi's sentiment? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source ign.com]
Comments 11
Come to think of it haven't a lot of Japanese developed games either been set in a western country or was heavily inspired by a western setting?
@PegasusActual93 I can think of more Japanese games that have a western setting, counting fantasy, than I can in a Japanese or even Asian setting.
"I think this shows that no matter what country or culture you make your game about, as long as you seriously study the topic and put your heart into it, there’s always a chance."
Truer words have never been spoken
Interesting and quite topical with conversations on cultural appropriation. I think what examples like GoT and what this interview is stating is that context is everything. I am sure the game didn't get every feature right but the intent and purpose was clear for all to see. It wasn't a case of, ah Samurai's are cool, let's slap them in a game.
Resident Evil does have hints of Japanese flair, but they mostly nail the American style setting. Raccoon City is a reasonably believable backdrop (despite the awkward name), although it’s completely fictional. Obviously the story of Ghost of Tsushima is fictional, but Tsushima is an actual place, so I think there’s another layer of research involved. Still, I’m sure Japanese players can pick up on and critique the American interpretation of a Japanese setting, just as well.
I’ll be interested to see how Forspoken lands, because it seems to be grounded in a Western setting and characters, made by a Japanese company.
A more direct example of this phenomenon for me is the French developer Quantic Dream making a game taking place in a futuristic Detroit, which is an actual American city. Although I loved Detroit Become Human, little things stuck out to me as foreign. Like when there was a statement on the TV about “American Football” at one point and I thought, “We just called it ‘football’” 😅 If you’re in America, why would you qualify it as ‘American football’? Here there is ‘football’ and ‘soccer.’ It’s little things like that which stand out, but don’t necessarily ruin the experience though.
@Th3solution
The American Football example is hilarious because Resident Evil 7 made that same boo boo. One of the posters says "American Football". You can also find a clearly Japanese style clothes hanging mechanism in that same area. As someone who lives in the south neither of those things exist, especially not in Cajun territory.
@PegasusActual93 Ah, I’ve not played RE7 yet, but that’s pretty funny. I didn’t know Japan called it “American football” also. (I guess we need to just change the name to “Maddenball” to avoid all the worldwide confusion). When I play RE7 I’ll be sure to notice that though. 😄
@Constable_What @PegasusActual93 It does make me wonder why there aren't more Japanese games with Japanese locations/settings?
@KidBoruto
In general it seems Japanese developers are just fascinated in particular with American aesthetics. Just look at how many of their games are clearly inspired by the show Twin Peaks for just one example; Silent Hill, Earthbound, Mizzurna Falls, hell Deadly Premonition is a Twin Peaks game in everything but name.
@KidBoruto I bet it's as simple as creators might just find them boring or too close to home. Part of what makes some video games fun is a setting that you're unfamiliar with.
But like @PegasusActual93 it seems there is a fascination with Western, particularly American, aesthetics. Devs like Hideo Kojima consumed a lot of movies from the America in his formative years, so that has influenced his work.
@PegasusActual93 @Constable_What That's fair...but since I'm an American I tend to appreciate and love video games that don't take place here.
Like the recent Ghost of Tsushima and even Destroy All Humans! 2 Reprobed (I know they aren't Japanese devs/companies).
Really looking forward to Ghostwire Tokyo whenever I get around to playing it as well.
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