Rating of
3.5/5
Stripping for Fun and Profit
Chris Kavan - wrote on 09/14/14
Akiba's Trip is one of those games that won't appeal to everyone. It's clearly aimed at the crowd who enjoys Japanese culture - specifically anime, manga and the like. So if you have ever considered yourself a budding Otaku, this game will probably be right up your alley. Everyone else is probably going to be baffled by the references and graphics. That's OK - stick to your AAA FPS games - not everyone has to branch out.
Presentation: The game is bright - with plenty of sprites, but it's not super crisp. Nothing is smooth - lots of jaggies abound and, a such, it is only average at best in this department. Enemies and locations blend together and nothing really stands out. That being said, when the game switches to story mode - the character design is very well done - provided you like anime style. The voice talent (on both the Japanese and English side) is also well done. Music is overall forgettable - though they use actual pop songs for "store" music now and then. Overall, it gets a pass, but just barely.
Story: As the game begins, you find yourself about to become the latest Synthester, thanks to a contract you signed without reading the fine print. These people are essentially vampires (don't like sun) who feed off energy instead of blood. This energy is provided by the people of Akihabara who lust after the latest figure, anime or idol. But before you can become a faceless minion, a mysterious girl rescues you. After making a blood pact, you recover, and find out that the problem goes much deeper than a just a few of these Synthesters. A huge drug corporation, a pop idol and your group of outcasts known as MOGRA - will all come together to figure out who is behind this outbreak - even as the greater public remains unaware of the danger that is close by.
Gameplay: The game uses a beat 'em up style battle system - similar to No More Heroes - but instead of blood and the like, as you attack the enemies (head, torso, and legs) you wear down their clothing. Once their clothing starts flashing, you can strip them of that area (using button prompts). If surrounded by multiple enemies, you can chain-strip them - and getting over 8 (provided at least one enemy is completely stripped) results in a final prompt - wherein you also strip them of their underwear. As the game progresses, you can also team up with partner and, once the strip meter is filled, perform a super attack that instantly strips an enemy and, for a short time, allows you to chain-strip regardless of the condition of enemy clothing. Very useful for tougher battles.
The clothing you strip is added to your inventory. Early, you will mostly rip the clothing, but as you strip more and more of the same type of clothing (short sleeved shirts, shorts, cosplay, etc) you increase that particular skill and when it is maxed out, you will never rip that type of clothing again - only add it to your inventory. You can customize yourself early on - and unlock the ability to customize your partner later. Once you beat the game once, you can customize everything from skin tone, to voice to even your gender (though you always sound like a dude - kind of strange). It's just a way to play dress-up - from dull to sexy - with the characters. Granted, form a gameplay standpoint, I just wen with the most powerful clothing available - no matter how terrible it looked.
Early on battles can only be fought by following the story, but early on you gain access to a camera app that lets you identify "Synthesters" - and every area has plenty you can fight. The most annoying thing about the game is the random cops that will interrupt you if they see you fighting - they are incredibly tough to strip and, should they catch you, you'll have to pay an (increasingly hefty) fine to get free. Aside from the fighting, you can buy or win various items that will boost attack, defense, XP gain or item drop. Enemies will always drop weapons, but can also drop shoes, other items and even accessories that change the way you walk.
There aren't that many areas to explore, but once you unlock them, you can quick travel to any are previously visited. There is a Battle Arena featuring various levels of difficulty to beat, you can visit your sister who acts as a seamstress and will combine weapons and clothing (for a fee) to make them stronger. You acquire sidequests via a phone app - sometimes you have to beat up a group of punks, other times you have to take pictures of various locales (or people) - they are not that exciting, but are pretty much the only way to get decent cash (early on).
But the most fun aspect is that every shop or restaurant you visit is based on an actual location - from the maid cafes to the games stores to the curry shops - and you can even get flyers (in Japanese, even) that further expand the area. It's a nice touch, even if you can't visit every single location - and makes things fun.
Replayability: Once you beat the game, you unlock the ultimate Otaku Mode - aka super hard difficulty. You can also go back and unlock the various endings for each of the characters based on your dialogue choices throughout the game (one for each of the four main female characters, plus an additional ending for your sister - if you complete all her missions). Going through the game a second time is much quicker - and it's much easier to strip enemies early on. Plus, if you want to get all the various items, clothing and what not - it will require more than one playthrough.
Overall: While not for everyone, I found this particular trip fun. While the graphics aren't exactly amazing, the gameplay is balanced and I love the fact they include real locations (and flyers) for the Akihabara area. It is also filled with so many eye-wink nods to Otaku culture, for anyone who has been a fan of anime or the like, it's a good, albeit tongue-in-cheek, representation of that particular "culture".
Presentation: 3/5
Story: 3/5
Gameplay: 4/5
Replayability: 5/5
Overall (not an average): 3.5/5
