Yo-Kai Watch is one of the biggest things going on in Japan today. Starting out as a Nintendo 3DS video game, it has evolved into a merchandising phenomenon similar to Pokémon. Lots of toys, comics, snacks, animated episodes and game sequels have been consumed by Japanese schoolchildren and now it's time that we get a taste of the game that started it all.

Scattered all around Springdale are invisible creatures called “Yo-Kai." Yo-Kai are loosely based on yōkai, supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. Playing as a young boy or girl, you wander into the local forest to look for insects to collect for your summer vacation project until you come across a capsule toy machine resting near an old tree. After placing a coin into the machine's slot and turning the crank, a ghost pops out! The ghost calls himself Whisper and he makes himself your “ghost butler," tagging along with you everywhere you go. Whisper also hands you the titular Yo-Kai Watch, a wristwatch that can be used to scan these otherwise invisible Yo-Kai. With both Whisper and the Yo-Kai Watch at your side, your summer vacation will never be the same.

Yo-Kai Watch is similar to other monster-collecting games, but it's different enough to find its own niche. Unlike Pokémon, you don't actively trap wild monsters into little balls; Yo-Kai are instead convinced to befriend you and act as your partners. Snacks can be used to persuade a Yo-Kai into being your friend. Instead of commanding them to fight for you, they kind of do their own thing, with you switching their positions, healing them, purifying them from negative inspirits or unleashing their “Soultimate” move on the enemy. It's strange at first seeing them fight automatically but it's easy to get used to and you can target where they attack, which is especially useful for boss battles and recruitment.

Sometimes a Yo-Kai can be inspirited by an enemy Yo-Kai. Think of it as possession: when inspirited, humans and Yo-Kai alike will act abnormally based on the attribute of the Yo-Kai that inspirited them. For example, if one is inspirited by Fidgephant, they'll have an uncontrollable urge to pee. Inspirited Yo-Kai will be hindered from battle, so purifying them is the answer. Purification involves switching a Yo-Kai to the back row (most fights are three-on-three, with a front and back row) and playing a small mini-game to get them back into fighting shape. Soultimate moves are a Yo-Kai's best move, and unleashing one is done the same way as purification: mini-games. However, once a Soultimate move has been performed, their Soul Meter depletes to zero and it'll recharge by either a) landing more hits, b) feeding the Yo-Kai a drink or c) hitting the Eyepo save locations. Battles are initiated by seeking out Yo-Kai in nooks and crannies all over town, or by running into them in dungeons.

The city of Springdale is the game's world. Despite most of the game taking place in one town, it's detailed enough for the player to explore and interact with the people and landmarks. It actually gets daunting traveling throughout the city once all areas have been unlocked but there is a fast travel option that gets unlocked later into the story. Just beware when you're out and about at night though: Terror Time pops up at random and a giant ogre will chase after you if you're not careful. Be sure to dash for the exit undetected and you'll be fine!

Different Yo-Kai can be found in different parts of town, like water based Yo-Kai are located in riverbanks and near the seashore and shady Yo-Kai can be found in labyrinthine sewers and narrow alleyways. Yo-Kai can also be found in the capsule machine under the sacred tree, traded to you by a friend, or downloaded via special codes. They can even be fused by a monk at Shoten Temple, where two Yo-Kai or a Yo-Kai and an item can be fused into a bigger, badder Yo-Kai. In addition to seeking out Yo-Kai, you can also catch fish and insects, which can be used for trading for goods that can enhance your Yo-Kai's abilities. The biggest downside of the map is that there's no labels or indicators on the key locations so you'll have to explore thoroughly and retain your knowledge of the caves, streets and alleys, especially if you're seeking rare Yo-Kai.

Yo-Kai Watch's main story is divided into chapters, and there's a lot more places to explore and Yo-Kai to discover with each chapter cleared. When you receive your Yo-Kai Watch from Whisper, it starts at rank E and you can only encounter weak Yo-Kai. Eventually you'll meet an old watchmaker who will upgrade your watch's rank once you fulfill certain conditions. Much of the game is spent seeking out Yo-Kai and helping people and friendly Yo-Kai in your town and a lot of those favors end up being fetch quests or battling enemy Yo-Kai who have possessed people into doing unusual things and it's up to you to set things right. Later into the game, you and Whisper learn of an incoming invasion of bad Yo-Kai who want to take over the human world. There's lots to do after the main story like finding special event boss Yo-Kai and a hidden dungeon where you can find even more Yo-Kai. Since there's only one version of the game, it's possible to find them all!

My biggest gripe with Yo-Kai Watch is that the method of befriending Yo-Kai feels very random. Like, even with feeding a Yo-Kai their favorite food and keeping a popular Yo-Kai like Shmoopie in the party, it doesn't guarantee 100% success. It's a lot more frustrating than using an Ultra Ball on a sleeping legendary Pokémon with one sliver of HP and failing to catch it. It's that frustrating. What isn't random are the prizes you get from the capsule machine under the sacred tree. Each prize is predetermined depending on the coins used to plunk into the machine. Both factors are pretty frustrating when you're trying to befriend all Yo-Kai and I hope they fix these problems in later games.

With over 200 Yo-Kai to find (albeit a good number of them being re-colors), Yo-Kai Watch is a large game. The main story will take 20-30 hours to clear, with the post-game and extra quests taking in 10 to 20 more hours. It's far from perfect but it's is a solid game and the world has a lot of charm and cute and quirky characters to attract younger gamers. It's also different. I honestly find Yo-Kai Watch a lot more interesting than Nintendo's own Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. But will Yo-Kai Watch match the success that it has in Japan? As of this writing, it's too soon to tell. I think it depends if American children are willing to step out of their comfort zone and try something new with another gang of crazy monsters from Japan. Still, if Pokémon Red and Blue can win an entire generation of children with a solid little game that was far from perfect, I think Yo-Kai Watch has a chance. 

Special thanks to Zack Davisson @ZackDavisson and Cattype @Cattype for their knowledge and consultation on yōkai.

Hint: Do not cross the road without pushing the cross walk button first. Trust me on this one.

by Ray n.