Oh, hey. There’s Japan!
What’s this in my PSP? Oh look, There’s Japan! That just happens to be the name of Sony’s upcoming, uhh, GPS Minigame Collection? Map-trolling Adventure? Multiplayer Map Navigator? It’s kinda hard to describe, especially since I only have Google translations to go on, but it looks like There’s Japan could be a big step towards breaking down that annoying fourth wall between games and reality.
There’s Japan lets you explore a Google Maps-meets-Sim City representation of Japan with roads and landmarks visualized via cute 2D sprites. All the major sights are visible but you’ll also be able to spot temples, shrines, and even shops like 7-Eleven. From what I understand all the locations are based on real world data so you could conceivably use There’s Japan as a hip tourist tool. While you’re exploring the real streets of Japan via these virtual views you may want to make special note of certain locations along your way. Using the Registration option and the PSP camera you can add your own sights and images and even play locally with up to four friends to swap unique maps and personal landmarks.
The interactive and user-definable mapping is potentially ground-breaking stuff but Sony just has to wedge in a mascot. Technically, you play as a Space Mouse sent to Earth by your employer — Cosmic Churist — an intergalactic travel agency. Your job is to explore Japan and map its wonders for your clientèle. Many of the major landmarks offer simple minigames to play and decorative items to unlock. Tokyo Tower, for example, rewards you with a fittingly themed Tokyo Tower outfit to stick your Space Mouse in. Let the obsessive collecting and dress-up madness begin!
The only bad thing is that There’s Japan will obviously never be released outside of Japan. A U.S. version would be too sprawling to be manageable or fun and city-specific versions probably not profitable enough to develop much farther than New York or San Francisco. It looks like we have to leave yet another intriguing and creative title at the Japanese border. *sigh* At least there’s a video to get us one step closer to There’s Japan, and GameWatch also has a few more images.
