Tokyo Game Show 2025: Day One Round-up

Today was very productive, as I moved from demo to demo with very little downtime. I was an absolute pro at cramming everything in. 

I'm home now, and my head is swimming with thoughts on new video games.

Pragmata, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Once Upon a Katamari, Lumines Arise, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Resident Evil Requiem, Demi and the Fractured Dream, Ninja Gaiden 4 - I got through plenty! I'll be sharing in-depth impressions for some of those in the coming days, but for now, here's a brief round-up of my TGS day one.

They Let The Bloggers in Again!

Was there ever any doubt? To be honest, I was a little concerned this year, as the application process was different and it was very delayed, but I was relieved that it all went smoothly and the only hold-up at reception was the one caused by my Famicom business card case, which the staff thought was delightful and insisted on inspecting! I think 2025 is my fourteenth TGS, and eleventh on a press pass, which makes me a Makuhari Messe veteran. I hear they build you a statue when you hit twenty.

Getting ID'd like it's the Year 2000

Before today, when it happened twice, I don't think I'd ever been asked for ID at TGS. I look well fucking old, and tired, and am the last person who needs ID-ing. However, the staff at Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Ninja Gaiden 4 insisted that they had to check that I wasn't seventeen years old. While they weren't asking for ID before Resident Evil Requiem, booth staff were asking punters whether they're OK with scary games. When they asked me, I laughed and assured them that I am very brave. I very quickly let myself down, however, almost shitting myself five minutes later when that troll-looking creature ate the doctor's head.

My Many Deaths in Ninja Gaiden 4

Although I am definitely over eighteen, they still shouldn't have let me play Ninja Gaiden 4. I was so bad at it that I was concerned that my performance might lead to Koei Tecmo delaying the game to re-balance it! I failed the end-of-demo boss maybe a dozen times, each attempt more pathetic than the last, before giving up and slinking away. I did hang around long enough to pick up a set of delightful pin badges, a free gift for punters, which will serve as a long-lasting reminder of my ineptitude. However, I did do myself proud over at PlayStation, where I S-Ranked the Lumines Arise demo. The booth staff seemed genuinely impressed, and none of the people I saw playing ahead of me managed better than a B. Give me blocks, and I'll excel. Ask me to block (or parry) and I'll make a right tit out of myself.

A Final Fantasy Tactics Sicko

I couldn't wait another five days. The full game is out next Tuesday, yet I still lined up to play 20 minutes of the Ivalice Chronicles. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to experience one of my all-time favourites at my favourite gaming event. The demo was the enhanced version, and consisted of limited access to the world map and one battle - the showdown at a waterfall where you have to protect Ovelia. It was wonderful having those familiar sights and sounds wash over me, and I 100% approve of the in-battle addition of fast forward, as well as a pause function which lets you suspend the proceedings to have a look around. However, one change that I'm not so keen on is the introduction of voice acting. I had it set to Japanese, and while the quality seemed absolutely fine, just having the characters voiced seemed wrong to me. Maybe I'll get used to it?

T-shirts

I bought two t-shirts, though I could've bought a lot more. Three, for example. But this pair'll do for now: Ape Escape and Katamari Damacy. I was very disappointed that there were no free, demo-gift t-shirts this year, and I was forced to open my wallet to clothe myself.

Tomorrow

First, I'll head to Sega for Yakuza Kiwami 3. I might have another go at Once Upon a Katamari, because the demo is ludicrously short and I barely had time to form an opinion on it today, and I fancy Inazuma Eleven, assuming it's a different demo to last year. The Adventures of Elliot is on my radar, I might make a fool of myself playing Nioh 3, and I should try C Viper in Street Fighter 6; I also want to wander around and make some new discoveries. I need to hit up the indie area, and will have another go at spending money in the merchandise hall. Roll on Day Two!