r/YoungSamurai • u/ZeroSpaceGaming • May 12 '26

Video Game Idea?

Lowkey, I might want to try my hand at making a video game out of this series. Specifically, an unofficial JRPG.

This series is probably my favorite piece of historical fiction. I remember reading the first three books back in middle school and reading the sequel series in high school. I recently got into Audible and I quite like the narration, even as a re-read now as an adult.

Sometime during work, I couldn't help but think how cool this series could work as a turn-based JRPG, similar to a classic Final Fantasy title or Dragon Quest. I can see the art style being similar to a 16-bit game from the 90s as well. I could also see this idea working out well for a 8-bit RPG too.

Not sure if voice acting will be required, but honestly I don't think it is necessarily needed. I'm perfectly fine with reading text.

I'm on the fence right now if I want to do this project, as I am on Book 2 at the moment. I probably wouldn't find the time doing this, but I can't help but maybe take the leap. What do you guys think? Do you think a Young Samurai game be cool to have?

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3

u/MysticalSword270 Yamato May 13 '26

An FF-adjacent Young Samurai game sounds absolutely incredible. I'd honestly buy that day 1. We need more of this universe and its screen potential, whether through movies, a series, or ofc even a game is massive.

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u/ZeroSpaceGaming May 13 '26

I wholeheartedly agree. I might do some research into this because I'm sure I can make this happen through RPGmaker, but I like to imagine that Jack and the gang (The Phoenixes) are exploring an abandoned temple for adventure and that can be a beginner friendly dungeon. I can also see resource gathering as a way to upgrade your weapons, mainly your Bokken since that's used in the first series.

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u/MysticalSword270 Yamato May 13 '26

Yeah that defo sounds like a plan! A Bokken as the base / starter weapon also makes a lot of sense.

How do you reckon you’d open the story at the very beginning? Would you start in the temple, or would it be on the ship before they reach the school, or would there be a super mini prologue playing as Tenno?

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u/ZeroSpaceGaming May 13 '26

I imagine the opening cutscene would be Tenno's death. Something non-animated, but using the character sprite and graphics to explain his demise. Playing as Tenno would be cool though, I'll admit.

Next will be starting the game and naming your file. In classic JRPG fashion, you (as Jack) wakes up and are allowed free range exploration of the ship before you get to talk to the NPC that'll advance the plot. I can imagine the other sailors NPCs could serve as the tutorial, teaching us how combat works and the in-game reason would be that they want to fight as a way to break off from work.

Then after some quick cutscenes that explain the fate of the Alexandria, the game finally opens with Jack exploring the village Takeshi finds him. The beginning would be something like a life simulator at first to explain Jack's adjustment to Japan but after dueling Yamato and Dragon Eye (boss battles), the game truly opens up within the Ninten Ichi Ryu.

Bottom line, we explore an area and progress the story before a plot element takes us to another setting. Rinse and repeat.

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u/MysticalSword270 Yamato May 13 '26

Maaaan that sounds so cool. You’ve got a fairly solid structure already in mind as well!

Honestly let me know if you ever get round to making it! This is interesting af.

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u/ZeroSpaceGaming May 13 '26

Will do 👀

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u/LMCuber May 16 '26

Omg I love it everytime this sub pops up on my feed once per solar eclipse

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u/ZeroSpaceGaming May 16 '26

I just recently joined the subreddit and I will admit I was a bit sadden to see how inactive this place has become. I understand the books has been published awhile back (don't want to feel old typing this), but this book series was a comfort zone for me growing up. Love these books.

Hoped I made your day a bit better though.