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Ever since word of Yo-Kai Watch started to reach the ears of gamers around the world, many minds likely went to make some pretty apparent comparisons. A game in which a kid collects creatures that he in turn uses to battle and collect even more creatures sounds more than a little like the global smash hit Pokémon franchise. In a recent interview with Venture Beat Akihiro Hino, CEO of Yo-Kai Watch developer Level-5, addressed such comparisons among other things related to successful series.
“We don’t really mind the comparison with Pokémon, but there are lots of differences,” Hino stated. “The setting is like a real town in Japan, something closer to the user’s own life. It’s very relatable for kids. It’s something they can connect to their own life.”
On the topic of the first game’s recent release in North America, the CEO stated they made did their best to make the localization relevant to kids outside Japan. He also reassured gamers that unlike the original, Yo-Kai Watch 2 wouldn’t take as long as its predecessor, which came out in July of 2013 in Japan, to reach the rest of the world.
So far, Level-5’s efforts seem to be working, with the franchise’s vast empire of media and toys expanding and the first game having received pretty good reviews from American press so far. And with the Australian and European releases still coming up, Yo-Kai Watch still has plenty of room to grow.
Source: Nintendo Everything
My four year old son is hooked. This is a pretty charming little game and perfect for him to cut his teeth on (although I assist with the combat.)
I bought him the 2DS bundle with the game included. The Gamestop employee even gave him the cardboard promotional standee which is a neat little piece of artwork.