Feature: 10 Japanese Games That Have Us Hyped in 2015

2015 is looking like a pretty good year for games from the East, especially with Japanese developers now turning their attention to the PlayStation 4. Whether you're a fan of manga and anime adaptations or role-playing games, there's quite a bit of excitement to go around, although we do need to point out one thing before we continue: Final Fantasy XV isn't featured in this article. Why? Well, because we reckon that it probably won't be releasing before 2016 – at least, not here in the West. As such, there were a number of titles that we had to leave off this list because of their unconfirmed launch dates, but nevertheless, we think that there's more than enough here to get hyped about.

Bloodborne

Where better to start than with PS4 exclusive Bloodborne? Spiritual successor to Demon's Souls, From Software's quickly approaching action RPG plays at a faster pace than its predecessors, rewarding players who can keep up a careful, but strong offensive fighting style with health restoration. With a gorgeous art direction and an atmosphere that's almost as heavy as the sense of dread that follows you around every shadowy corner, Bloodborne should prove, er, a bloody good time.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse

A property with a somewhat chequered history when it comes to video games, Dragon Ball's latest attempt has the potential to be one of its best. Featuring a story mode that puts your own character at the heart of events as timelines are forcibly altered by original bad guys, the brawler offers a relatively fresh take on the source material's scenarios, which are permanently embedded into our brains by this point. Also supporting co-op play and team battles, there should be plenty of variety to keep fans happy – we just hope, as always, that the fighting mechanics do the franchise justice.

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD

In typical Final Fantasy style, who else could appear to save the world from war other than a group of well-groomed teens? There's a slight twist this time, though, as you take control of a class, rather than a ragtag group. Playing as a bunch of deadly students, all disciplined in varying fighting styles, it's your call when it comes to smiting your enemies using a quick and stylish combat system. Originally a PSP title that never saw an official Western release, Type-0 looks far prettier than we thought it would on the PS4, and although Final Fantasy XV's demo comes bundled with the game, there are still plenty of other reasons to look forward to Class Zero's tale of death and destruction.

J-Stars Victory VS+

Not many people thought that the day would come, but a J-Stars title is finally heading West. Drawing from Jump magazine's legacy of famous personalities, J-Stars Victory VS+ throws the likes of Dragon Ball's Goku, Bleach's Ichigo, and Naruto's, er, Naruto into one big team-based 3D arena brawler. For many manga fans, it's a dream come true, and for everyone else, it might end up being a good gateway experience into the featured franchises. It's chaotic and totally over-the-top, but we're just happy that we'll finally be able to sample this highly anticipated property.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

What is easily one of the most polished fighting franchises out there, the Naruto Ultimate Ninja games never fail in bringing the source material to life. Previous titles looked fantastic on the ageing PS3, but on the PS4, there's a definite improvement in the finer details. And this is great news, as the release sees the return of bombastic boss battles, complete with brilliant animations and gloriously eye-catching clashes. It's not all about the visuals, though, as Storm 4 could prove to be the series' final instalment, due to the manga recently reaching its end. With that in mind, we're hoping for a sublime send off, and a brawler that really captures the magic of the original work by celebrating its impressive achievements.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3

The final anime-related game on our list, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 has every right to be the best in the series, as long as it builds upon its already brilliant predecessor. A larger character roster and the return of an official and lengthy story mode means that it should provide more bang for your buck, especially since the super powered seafarers can now link up and perform preposterous team attacks. When all's said and done, One Piece brings a breath of fresh air to the Warriors formula with its delightfully colourful presentation and imaginative characters, and may just prove to be a perfect starting point for fans of both franchises.

Persona 5

Okay, so we're not entirely sure that Persona 5 will hit Western store shelves in 2015, but given that it's only February and the game seems in good shape, we're going to go ahead and gamble on this one. While details are still a little scarce, it doesn't take long to realise that Atlus' upcoming RPG will more than likely blow our minds. A series that's now riding on real waves of success, the only way to go is up for this stupidly stylish creation. It's twisting things around this time, too, as you assume the role of mayhem-making teens who are just trying to force an impact on the world around them. The idea of playing as a charming rogue with powerful personas at our beck and call has us intrigued beyond measure.

Tales of Zestiria

A franchise that many would argue is overlooked, the Tales games are well loved by fans of more action-oriented Japanese RPGs. Unsurprisingly, Tales of Zestiria boasts a frantic battle system that hinges heavily on combos, but unlike prior titles, combat now takes place within the explorable environment, which in turn creates a more seamless experience. As of right now, the release is only slated to launch on the PS3, which just goes to show that Sony's almost decade old machine still has some fight left in it, but we wouldn't complain about a potential PS4 port, particularly when the title's got an art style as whimsical as this.

Toukiden: Kiwami

A follow-up to last year's Toukiden: The Age of Demons, Kiwami adds a storyline that continues after the original plot concludes, and features new characters, creatures, and crazy new weapon types. The monster slay-'em-up is slashing onto the PS4 and Vita, and although it's largely going to be more of the same, the release's relatively accessible nature and addictive gameplay loop should ensure that we've got another very enjoyable experience on our hands. And, let's be honest, there's little more satisfying than when you finally lop off a giant oni's limb with your best co-op buddies by your side.

Yakuza 5

Proving that the PS3 isn't dead yet along with Tales of Zestiria, Yakuza 5 is one our most anticipated games of 2015, mostly because we've been starved of the series for far too long. Protagonist Kazuma Kiryu once again finds himself drawn back to the neon-lit streets of fictional red light district Kamurocho, and, like in the franchise's previous instalment, he's not alone. Joining him in unravelling Japan's seedy underbelly are returning characters Akiyama and Saejima, along with new guy Shinada, a baseball player who was banned from the sport due to gambling. It's not just Kamurocho that's open to you and your butt-kicking buddies, though, as you'll be travelling between five different locales in order to forge alliances with various clans. It's an ambitious premise, but given the property's pedigree, we see no reason not to go out and get a massive dragon tattoo inked across your back in anticipation.

And that's that. Are you as excited as we are for Japan's output in 2015, or is there more that interests you on the Western side of things? Tell us what games you can't wait for in the comments section below.