If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to be a Japanese youth wandering the streets of Shibuya, then this game is just for you. (What, just me?). The World Ends With You is definitely one of the most distinctive titles I’ve come across.

Getting fairly decent scores upon its release, the game has garnered a dedicated cult following, so yeah – it’s kind of a big deal. The story centers around the protagonist, Neku Sakuraba, and his group of friends banding together to fight the system.

There are many things that set this game apart from others. Let’s start with the visuals, as they’re some of the most unique I’ve seen. Basically, the art direction for TWEWY is AWESOME.

The art style is so specific that you could easily pick it apart from others, which is a breath of fresh air as far as JRGPs are concerned. The aesthetic really gives off this vibe of teenage rebellion and fighting for your right to survive.

The characters are all interesting and special in their own right, full of color and personality to match. I don’t want to give away too much about the story, but suffice to say, the character development in this game is some of the best I’ve seen. Learning their backstories and why they fight makes you feel connected to them in a deep way.

The combat in this game is very distinct, which is best shown in the DS version. You’re able to use both screens for combat, and even go as far as shouting into the microphone to land certain attacks. Now I think we can all agree that nothing is better than a game that uses its systems to their fullest potential.

Before actually getting my hands on this title, I heard many positive things about the game’s soundtrack. Me being a huge fan of the Jet Set Radio series, a couple of my friends recommended that I listen to it immediately; and oh man was I NOT disappointed. For those who love fighting against society (well, at least in video games) this one is just for you.