My one and only trip to Japan took place in 2000, when I made the trek with my high school Japanese language class for ten glorious days, exploring the bright neon-lit streets of Fukuoka, the farming and coastal communities of Shimabara, and the industrial-meets-city life town of Sasebo. I have very fond memories of my trip and continue to save and prepare for a return trip to the southernmost part of Japan at some point. However, I also have every intention of making my way through the rest of the island so that I can visit other places like Osaka, Kyoto, Nagano, and, of course, Tokyo.
Ah, Tokyo. I’ve always dreamed of visiting the city that, to me, seems like heaven on Earth. I’ve even recently gone so far as to try to get a taste of the Tokyo city experience by playing games that are based in Japan. So, you can imagine my delight when I was offered the opportunity to check out the remastered Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed for its tenth anniversary – not to mention its official release in the West. Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed isn’t your typical remaster – this is by no means on the level of titles such as Resident Evil 2 Remake. Although the game has its moments of frustration and arguably feels like a product of its time, Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed is an enjoyable experience that takes you through the streets of Akihabara, circa-2011. TLDR: my nostalgic jet-setting Japanese heart is happy.
Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed is technically a brand-new game that has been remastered and released for a Western audience. The original game – called Akiba’s Trip Plus in Japan – was initially released in May 2011 for the PSP, making Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed a near must-have for fans of the series. Can you play the game as a new player to the franchise? Speaking as someone who had never played an Akiba’s Trip game before, I can confirm that there really is no barrier to entry to diving right into Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed. Just make sure you know going in that the game's title is – in quite literal terms – telling you what sort of game you’re about to play.
Related: Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed Preview: I’m Goin’ Back To AkihabaraIn terms of the game’s story, you’re a newcomer to Akihabara, commonly referred to as an otaku paradise. Trendy shops line up side by side, enticing anyone who passes by to peek in and see what material treasures await inside. Rather than it being a pleasure trip, however, your customizable character is thrown into the fray pretty much immediately, finding themselves on the losing end of a brutal encounter with a vampire-like humanoid. Eventually, you’re contracted to work with NIRO, a secret agency tasked with taking out these demons that walk among the rest of the population disguised as living, breathing human beings. And how exactly are you to rid the world of these monsters? Why, by stripping off the clothes that they are wearing, of course.
The aptly titled Akiba’s Trip series has maintained a focus on “strip-combat” mechanics, and Hellbound & Debriefed is no exception. You’re able to identify demons by using your mobile device, which typically results in a hand-to-hand brawl where your main goal is to strip all of your opponent’s clothes off before they do the same to you first – which effectively results in a game over.
The trick is to wear your opponent down by hitting and kicking them, or smacking them with a variety of random weapons (the loaf of bread being my personal favorite weaponized item). Once they take enough punishment, you can grab an article of clothing and rip it off of them, which becomes all the more satisfying when you gain the ability to string strips together in a combination of button-hitting quick-time events.
The combos are definitely the best part of the combat system, which often feels incredibly clunky. Hitbox inconsistencies, rough camera angles, no lock-on system… it all adds up to a somewhat frustrating experience, made even more frustrating by the sheer amount of fighting that you’ll be doing in the game. Perhaps the most frustrating part, though, is taking on multiple enemies at once. The length of these encounters can be exhausting, especially when you’ve been slain (stripped?) by the same group of enemies a handful of times already. Eventually, you’ll figure out the best way to approach each situation. It just might take you a few tries (or more) to get there.
Aside from any combat woes, Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed is a fun romp through 2011 Japan – made all the more nostalgic thanks to the game’s graphics. As I said, this isn’t the typical high-caliber remake that most players have come to expect. It looks fine for what it is, but it still looks and feels like a step above a PSP or PS2 game. But you know what? It works. Maybe it’s the fact that the setting features all of the stores and scenery that were present in Akihabara in 2011, but there’s a comfortable, simplistic, and nostalgic feeling that courses through the streets and alleyways of Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed. I’m a sucker for those kinds of old-school, retro games, and Hellbound & Debriefed is a solid entry into that category.
There’s a ton of depth to the game’s RPG element as well, allowing you to build up your character with special skills, outrageous outfits and other cosmetic items, as well as steer the direction of the relationships you maintain with NPCs, which ultimately impacts the outcome of the game.
There’s a lot to love in Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed, whether you’re a veteran or newcomer to the series. It looks and plays much like the games of yesteryear, but that’s what gives it much of its charm. You can definitely add Akihabara to my list of spots to visit when I finally make my way back to Japan. I’m no vampire demon, but perhaps I’ll wear an extra layer or two. You know, just in case.
A PS4 copy of Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed was provided to TheGamer for this review. Akiba’s Trip: Hellbound & Debriefed will be available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch on July 23.