Steven L. Kent - The Japan Times

December 25, 2024

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Steven L. Kent

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital

Dec 3, 2022

To bestselling gaming franchises, what are voice actors worth?

When a voice actor took to Twitter to complain about low wages, it was only the beginning of a drawn-out controversy.

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / ON: GAMES

Oct 29, 2022

This Halloween, play dead with some made-in-Japan horror games

You don't have to trudge to the movie theater this Halloween to get your share of screen screams.

Reader Mail

Jul 13, 2008

LPG conversions cost too much

I would like to think I am an environmentalist. Japan is one of the leading countries in recycling and reducing emissions. I am proud to live here.

Reader Mail

Mar 28, 2007

One goose step closer

Another way to view the exercise of the censorial power that Debito Arudou boasts about in his March 20 article, "Demise of crime magazine historic," is as a goose step closer to thought control. The publication (Gaijin Hanzai) has a few racial slurs, some misinformation and specious logic, and lots...

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Nov 23, 2005

For giant-slayers, getting there is half the battle

Let's talk about "Shadow of the Colossus" and "Punch-Out!!" -- two masterful games that are remarkably similar and yet have nothing in common.

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital

May 19, 2005

Big names, big games, big show

The real "Bond . . . James Bond" is coming to video games. Electronic Arts has signed Sean Connery to reprise his role as British agent 007 in the video game version of "From Russia with Love."

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Apr 21, 2005

Fast, furious -- and frustrating

In "Meteos," a new puzzle game for the Nintendo DS handheld, the denizens of the universe greet you with a plea (in earnest, broken English): "We want you, save our planet!"

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Mar 24, 2005

The spy who stayed in the dark

When mankind becomes an endangered species due to the actions of an Indonesian terrorist, super secret uber-spy Sam Fisher is called in to make things right. Fisher is not a spy after the suave James Bond manner, with pretty women and luxury cars at his beck and call; he's more of a ninja for the 21st...

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Mar 10, 2005

A tip of the hat to a venerable series

The kingdom of Hyrule is in trouble. But then, the kingdom of Hyrule is always in trouble, and so is its legendary princess -- Zelda.

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Feb 24, 2005

A game darn near too scary

If you are looking for the biggest jolt video gaming has to offer, and you don't mind having nightmares, take a deep breath and try "Biohazard 4."

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Feb 10, 2005

A treasure for the Game Boy

"Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories," a new role-playing adventure from Square- Enix for the Game Boy Advance, is an astounding achievement by Game Boy standards.

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Jan 27, 2005

Wonderfully easy on the eyes

Sony launched its new PlayStation Portable in Japan in December. According to Sony, it is slated to launch in the United States by the end of March. Who knows about Europe.

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Jan 13, 2005

Adult fun and gore galore

Here's my dirty little secret: Despite my reputation as a hardcore moralist, truth be told I love the "Mortal Kombat" games. When it's late at night and the kids are in bed, I'll sometimes pull out whichever is the latest title in the series -- surely the bloodiest of the bloody fighting games -- and...

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Dec 30, 2004

An FPS for the thinking man

"Metroid Prime 2: Echoes," a first-person shooter from Nintendo for the GameCube, is both fun and a pain at the same time. It keeps you on your toes, even when it makes you perform the same tasks over and over again.

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Dec 2, 2004

The biggest game of the year

I look at "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," a new urban crime role-playing game for the PlayStation 2, about the same way I might view gorgeous graffiti painted on my front door.

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Nov 18, 2004

Best game yet for the Xbox

How do you top a battle between marines and an alien religious cult fighting to the death on a giant corona in outer space?

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Nov 4, 2004

Nintendo DS: A wacky winner

Let's discuss the hard facts first.

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Oct 21, 2004

Playing God, designing people

Playing "The Sims 2" the way I played it is like touring the major countries of Europe and only visiting the bowling alleys.

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Oct 7, 2004

A prince in time saves nine

When a young prince steals a magic dagger, he inadvertently empowers an evil magician with dark powers. In "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," a three-dimensional adventure game from Ubi Soft finally making it into the Japanese market, the eponymous prince must find his way through his ruined palace...

Japan Times

LIFE / Digital / NAME OF THE GAME

Sep 23, 2004

High-octane crash and burn

What's the big complaint about video games these days? Lack of innovation.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Visitors to Kyoto walk along a street near Kiyomizu Temple in April. A popular tourist spot, Kyoto has seen what locals feel to be an overwhelming amount of tourists in 2024.

Is Japan ready for 60 million tourists?

By Kathryn Wortley

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

SWCC keeps changing with keyword ‘new challenges’

SWCC keeps changing with keyword ‘new challenges’

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