| 1 | %%This index is still being worked. Any help to make this index more cohesive will be gladly appreciated. --ViperAcidZX |
| 2 | The term "[=doujin soft[ware]=]", also known as "doujin games", refers to a SubGenre of {{doujinshi}} -- essentially, self-published video games. They can be considered Japan's equivalent to an {{indie game}}; while the term "indie" exists in Japan, it is a relatively new concept which refers only to games released through commercial channels. |
| 3 | |
| 4 | Doujin games are generally released for Windows-based computers, and, like doujinshi, doujin soft may offer games based on one or more intellectual properties, or entirely original works. The most frequent genres seen in this category of games are {{platformer}}s, {{fighting game}}s, {{RPG}}s, [[ShootEmUp shoot 'em ups]] (often BulletHell shooters), and {{visual novel}}s. These games are often released at special Japanese conventions, such as the Comic Market (a.k.a. Comiket) and Reitaisai. Depending on the game's subject matter, they can also be considered fan games (e.g. ''VideoGame/GriefSyndrome'' to ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'') or a {{homage}} to another favorite franchise (e.g. ''VideoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}'' to ''VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}}''). Most of the time, doujin game developers manage to avoid getting {{screwed by the lawyers}} concerning the use of another intellectual property, while a few others aren't so lucky, such as ''VideoGame/RockmenR''. |
| 5 | |
| 6 | Doujin video games has been around for a very long time. One of the most prominent (and well-known) long-runners of the doujin scene is the ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' series, with its first entry debuting in 1996; since then, it has expanded across 22 official games in the series and a cornucopia of [[FanWorks/TouhouProject fan-games]]. That is not to say there aren't other doujin game series that have contended for such a position and legacy. Other doujin series, such as ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' and the ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' series, have even migrated into the realm of mainstream anime and manga. |
| 7 | |
| 8 | Obtaining these games, however, can a difficult endeavor for those outside of Japan ([[FreewareGames freeware]] ones are easier to get), given the level of obscurity of certain titles and limited print runs. There's also the matter of the games themselves being in Japanese, which can problematic if it's very text-heavy (usually in the case of visual novels and [=RPGs=]) or [[GuideDangIt when a game requires you to learn something you can't read]]. Often at times these games get [[FanTranslation translated by fans]] with the knowledge of the Japanese language and the proper know-how of hacking, editing, and re-programming a game to run in a completely different language, and the willingness to do so. Also, some games are ''already'' in English and comes with English documentation, which makes playing them easier. |
| 9 | |
| 10 | In recent years, there have also been a very small but growing number of publishers, independent or otherwise, that localize these games outside of Japan and bring them overseas. There are also a few specialty online retailers that can import the original pressings of a doujin game, if copies are available in stock and if shipping the game in question isn't taxing on your wallet. Additionally, some doujin games have been re-released and localized digitally through digital distribution services such as [[Platform/DLSite DLsite]], and Platform/{{Steam}} to make things easier for those who could not attend to the events where they were originally released in and alleviate the cost of importing the games overseas. Some games even get some [[UpdatedRerelease quality-of-life improvements]] or even [[RegionalBonus special bonuses]] one way or another for their overseas release, depending on the publisher. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | ---- |
| 13 | !!Notable doujin soft titles include: |
| 14 | |
| 15 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 16 | |
| 17 | [[index]] |
| 18 | [[folder:Action Game]] |
| 19 | * ''A Witch and Fabricated Shadows'' |
| 20 | |
| 21 | [[AC:First-Person Shooter]] |
| 22 | * ''Another Bound'' and ''Another Bound NEO'' (a ''Metroid Prime''-esque freeware game) |
| 23 | |
| 24 | [[AC:Run-and-Gun]] |
| 25 | * ''VideoGame/ArmoredHunterGunhound'' (a mecha run-and-gun game) |
| 26 | * ''Gigantic Army'' |
| 27 | * ''Gun Star'' (a run-and-gun ''Lucky Star'' fan-game; not to be confused with ''Gunstar Heroes'') |
| 28 | |
| 29 | [[AC:Third-Person Shooter]] |
| 30 | * ''VideoGame/{{Dysnomia}}'' |
| 31 | * ''VideoGame/HomuraCombat'' and its expansion pack (a ''Puella Magi Madoka Magica'' meets ''Earth Defense Force'' fan-game) |
| 32 | * ''Soul Saber 2'' |
| 33 | [[/folder]] |
| 34 | |
| 35 | [[folder:Action-Adventure]] |
| 36 | * ''The Legend of Derella'' (A ''The Legend of Zelda''-styled game featuring characters from ''Idol Master'') |
| 37 | |
| 38 | [[AC:Metroidvania]] |
| 39 | * ''VideoGame/BunnyMustDie'' (from the creator of the ''Gundemonium'' series) |
| 40 | * Creator/FoxEye |
| 41 | ** ''VideoGame/{{Holdover}}'' (a ''Metroid''-inspired, timing-based PlatformGame with an emphasis on maintaining an OxygenMeter) |
| 42 | ** ''VideoGame/SacrificeGirl'' (an UnderTheSea Metroidvania with SurvivalHorror elements) |
| 43 | ** ''[[VideoGame/BlueGuardianMargaret BLUE GUARDIAN: Margaret]]'' (a highly {{Ecchi}} Metroidvania PlatformGame with more ''Metroid''-inspired gameplay compared to the above two.) |
| 44 | * ''Ghost 9'' |
| 45 | ** ''Ghost 92'' |
| 46 | * ''HACK 9'' |
| 47 | ** ''HACKER 9'' |
| 48 | ** ''HACK 9 Solid'' |
| 49 | [[/folder]] |
| 50 | |
| 51 | [[folder:Adventure Game]] |
| 52 | [[AC:Interactive Adventure]] |
| 53 | * ''VideoGame/CherryTreeHighComedyClub'' |
| 54 | [[/folder]] |
| 55 | |
| 56 | [[folder:Beat 'em Up]] |
| 57 | * ''VideoGame/BloodOver'' |
| 58 | * ''Cinderella Escape!! 2 Revenge'' |
| 59 | * ''VideoGame/{{Croixleur}}'' |
| 60 | * ''VideoGame/CrescentPaleMist'' (also a platforming game) |
| 61 | * ''Duo Princess'' (a ''VideoGame/ThreadsOfFate'' fan-game by Creator/EasyGameStation, the creators of ''Recettear'' and ''Chantelise'') |
| 62 | * ''[=ElePaper=] Action'' (a ''Read or Die'' fangame also by [=EasyGameStation=]) |
| 63 | * ''[[VideoGame/ExtrapowerGiantFist EXTRAPOWER Giant Fist]]'' |
| 64 | * ''VideoGame/FairyBloom1'' |
| 65 | * ''VideoGame/GriefSyndrome'' (a ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' beat 'em up by Twilight Frontier, the creators of ''Mega Mari'') |
| 66 | * ''VideoGame/MitsurugiKamuiHikae'' (also a hack-and-slash game) |
| 67 | * ''Ore no Yome Offline'' (a ''Dungeon Fighter Online''-esque beat 'em up staring various characters of anime and light novel series) |
| 68 | * ''[[VideoGame/PrincessEdgeDragonstone Princess' Edge - Dragonstone]]'' |
| 69 | [[/folder]] |
| 70 | |
| 71 | [[folder:Card Battle Game]] |
| 72 | * ''No Net Card''[[/folder]] |
| 73 | |
| 74 | [[folder:Fighting Game]] |
| 75 | * ''Acceleration of SUGURI'' and its expansion pack |
| 76 | ** ''Acceleration of SUGURI 2'' |
| 77 | * ''VideoGame/AkatsukiBlitzkampf'' and its expansion pack |
| 78 | ** ''EN-Eins Perfektewelt'' and its upcoming expansion pack |
| 79 | * ''VideoGame/ArmJoe'' |
| 80 | * ''VideoGame/AzumangaFighter'' |
| 81 | * ''VideoGame/TheBlackHeart'': A fan-game using the VideoGame/{{MUGEN}} engine, created by Andrés Borghi. |
| 82 | * ''Blue Mischief'' |
| 83 | * ''Crimson Alive'' |
| 84 | ** ''Angel Star Road'' (''Crimson Alive''[='=]s spiritual successor) |
| 85 | * ''VideoGame/BigBangBeat'' and its sequel, ''Big Bang Beat Revolve'' |
| 86 | * ''VideoGame/ElementalBattleAcademy'' (from the same creators of ''Magical Battle Arena''; uses third-person combat and gunplay) |
| 87 | ** ''Magical Battle Festa'' (''Elemental Battle Academy''[='=]s spiritual successor) |
| 88 | * ''VideoGame/EternalFighterZero'' series |
| 89 | * ''Fate/sword dance'' (a fighting fan-game of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'') |
| 90 | * ''Furry Friends Fight!'' (a fighting fan-game of ''Anime/KemonoFriends'') |
| 91 | * ''Fuuka Taisen'' (a fan-game of ''Mai-[=HiME=]'' and ''Mai-Otome'') |
| 92 | * ''VideoGame/MagicalBattleArena'' (an aerial combat crossover fighting game featuring characters from various and popular magical-girl anime series) |
| 93 | ** ''Touhou Sky Arena'' (''Magical Battle Arena''[='=]s spiritual successor featuring various ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' characters) |
| 94 | ** ''VideoGame/MagicalBattleArenaNEXT'' (a sequel to and crossover between both of the above games) |
| 95 | * ''VideoGame/{{Maribato}}'' |
| 96 | * ''Mega Man X: Rush to Battle'' (a ''VideoGame/MegaManX'' fighting game) |
| 97 | * ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood'' and its expansion packs |
| 98 | * ''VideoGame/MillionKnightsVermillion'' |
| 99 | * ''VideoGame/{{Monster}}'' |
| 100 | * ''VideoGame/TheQueenOfHeart'' |
| 101 | * ''Soul Saber'' |
| 102 | * ''Tenshou Tenshi VALFORCE'' (a ''Virtual-ON'' doujin game with mecha-musumes) |
| 103 | * ''VideoGame/TerrordromeTheGameRiseOfTheBoogeymen'' (A fighting game [[Franchise/EvilDead starring]] [[Franchise/FridayThe13th various]] [[Film/{{Scream}} horror]] [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet movie]] [[Franchise/{{Halloween}} characters]]) |
| 104 | * ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' (the spin-off [[FightingGame fighting games]] ''Immaterial And Missing Power'', ''Scarlet Weather Rhapsody'', ''Hisoutensoku'', ''Hopeless Masquerade'', ''Urban Legend in Limbo'' and ''Antimony of Common Flowers'') |
| 105 | * ''VideoGame/UminekoGoldenFantasia'' (a fighting ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'' gaiden game) |
| 106 | * ''VideoGame/UnderNightInBirth'' and its expansion packs |
| 107 | * ''VideoGame/VanguardPrincess'' |
| 108 | * ''VideoGame/WindomXP'': |
| 109 | ** ''Bootfighter Windom XP SP-2'' (only the game in the series that is free) |
| 110 | ** ''Ultimate Knight Windom XP'' and its expansion pack |
| 111 | ** ''Ultimate Knight Windom SV'' |
| 112 | * ''VideoGame/{{Yatagarasu}}'' (an indie game from former SNK developers) |
| 113 | [[/folder]] |
| 114 | |
| 115 | [[folder:Platform Game]] |
| 116 | * ''[[VideoGame/EryisAction Eryi's Action]]'' (a ''Super Mario Bros.''-esque platform hell game) |
| 117 | * ''VideoGame/KoumajouDensetsu'' (a ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' homage using ''Touhou'' characters) |
| 118 | * ''VideoGame/LethalCrisis'' and ''Lethal Crisis [=ProtoSphere=]'' (a spin-off series of ''Lethal Application''; the latter is also a rogue-like) |
| 119 | * ''Ragna Chronicle'' (a ''Ragnarok Battle Online''-eqsue ''Mega Man'' game) |
| 120 | * ''VideoGame/RockmenR'' (a fan-sequel to ''Rockman 9'') |
| 121 | * ''VideoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}'' (an homage to the classic ''Mega Man'' series as well as various manga, anime, and visual novel series) |
| 122 | * ''[=SorcerLand=]'' (a retro-styled action-platformer featuring anthromorphic characters) |
| 123 | * ''VideoGame/TobariAndTheNightOfTheCuriousMoon'' (a ''Super Marios Bros.''-esque platformer with gameplay elements from the ''Kirby'' series) |
| 124 | [[/folder]] |
| 125 | |
| 126 | [[folder:Puzzle]] |
| 127 | * ''Cinderella Escape!'' |
| 128 | [[/folder]] |
| 129 | |
| 130 | [[folder:Role-Playing Game]] |
| 131 | * ''99 Spirits'' (also a puzzle game) |
| 132 | * ''Arcanum Knights'' |
| 133 | * ''[[VideoGame/{{Chantelise}} Chantelise ~A Tale of Two Sisters~]]'' |
| 134 | * ''[[VideoGame/ExtrapowerAttackOfDarkforce EXTRAPOWER Attack of Darkforce]]'' |
| 135 | * ''VideoGame/FortuneSummoners'' |
| 136 | * ''Grana Embrace'' (Strategy RPG; from the doujin circle behind ''Crescent Pale Mist'') |
| 137 | * ''[[VideoGame/FairyBloom Fairy Bloom Freesia]]'' |
| 138 | * ''Ragnarok Battle Offline'' (a fan-game of ''Ragnarok Battle Online'') |
| 139 | * ''Kemono Friends Cellien May Cry'' (a roguelike dungeon-crawling ''Anime/KemonoFriends'' fangame by Ryu Sakamoto; also a stylish action game) |
| 140 | * ''VideoGame/SwordOfRapier'' |
| 141 | * ''[[VideoGame/RecettearAnItemShopsTale Recettear ~An Item Shop's Tale~]]'' (''"Capitalism, ho!"'') |
| 142 | * ''World of TWAIN'' (an Eastern RPG set in the ''TWAIN'' / ''TWIN'' universe) |
| 143 | [[/folder]] |
| 144 | |
| 145 | [[folder:Shoot 'em Up]] |
| 146 | [[AC:Vertically-scrolling Shooter]] |
| 147 | * ''Akashicverse ~Malicious Wake~'' (a surreal shoot 'em up where special weapons are activated akin a fighting game) |
| 148 | * ''Aurora Blast'' and its sequel (a shoot 'em up series with ''very'' fast bullet patterns) |
| 149 | * ''Blue Wish'' |
| 150 | ** ''VideoGame/BlueWishResurrection'' and ''Blue Wish Resurrection Plus'' |
| 151 | * ''Blue Sabers'' |
| 152 | * ''VideoGame/TheChasteFullmetalMaidenLeiria'' and its remake (formally retail doujin games now officially freeware) |
| 153 | * ''VideoGame/ChoRenSha68K'' (a freeware retro-styled shooter) |
| 154 | * ''Cosmo Dreamer'' |
| 155 | ** ''Like Dreamer'' |
| 156 | * ''VideoGame/CrimzonClover'' |
| 157 | * ''VideoGame/GrazeCounter'' |
| 158 | * ''Green Wind'' |
| 159 | ** ''Eden's Edge'' |
| 160 | ** ''Eden's Aegis'' |
| 161 | * ''VideoGame/{{eXceed}}'' series: |
| 162 | ** ''[=eXceed=]-Gun Bullet Children-'' |
| 163 | ** ''[=eXceed2nd=]-VAMPIRE-'' and ''[=eXceed2nd=]-VAMPIRE REX-'' |
| 164 | ** ''[=eXceed3rd=]-JADE PENETRATE-'' and ''[=eXceed3rd=]-JADE PENETRATE- BLACK PACKAGE'' |
| 165 | * Vertical shooters by Creator/OrangeJuice: |
| 166 | ** ''VideoGame/FlyingRedBarrel ~Diary of a Little Aviator~'' |
| 167 | ** ''VideoGame/QPShooting'' series |
| 168 | * ''[[VideoGame/GundemoniumSeries Hitogata Happa]]'' from the ''Gundemonium'' series |
| 169 | * ''HECTOR '39'' (a freeware shoot 'em up featuring Miku Hatsune) |
| 170 | * ''VideoGame/{{HELLSINKER}}'' |
| 171 | * ''The Hurricane of the Varstray -Collateral Hazard-'' (from the doujin circle behind ''Trouble Witches'') |
| 172 | * ''Lethal Application'' |
| 173 | * ''Meglilo The Witchborg'' |
| 174 | * ''Patriot Dark'' (a formally retail ''[=DoDoPatchi=]''-esque freeware shooter) |
| 175 | * ''Rozen Diadem'' (freeware shooter based on ''Rozen Maiden'') |
| 176 | * ''[=RefRain=] ~prism memories~'' (from the makers ''Samidare'' and ''Seihou'') |
| 177 | * ''ring^-10'' (a retro-styled shooter; from the makers of ''Patriot Dark'') |
| 178 | * ''Samidare'' |
| 179 | * ''VideoGame/{{Seihou}}'' |
| 180 | ** ''Shuusou Gyoku'' |
| 181 | ** ''Kioh Gyoku'' |
| 182 | ** ''Banshiryuu'' |
| 183 | * ''Strike Witches STG'' (a freeware PC one, not the Japan-only Xbox 360 one) |
| 184 | * ''VideoGame/TheTaleOfAlltynex'' series: |
| 185 | ** ''VideoGame/{{Kamui}}'' |
| 186 | ** ''VideoGame/RefleX'' |
| 187 | ** ''VideoGame/AlltynexSecond''[[/index]] |
| 188 | * ''Franchise/TouhouProject'', to this day the undisputed king of doujin videogames in general, thanks to its combination of CuteEmUp with Japanese mythology, massive amounts of fanart and lots of characters with plenty of room to adapt to whatever a doujin work needs. |
| 189 | ** [[FanWorks/TouhouProject Fan Games (various genres)]][[index]] |
| 190 | * ''TWINS / TWAIN'' series: |
| 191 | ** ''Twilight Insanity'' |
| 192 | ** ''VideoGame/TwilightRefrain'' |
| 193 | ** ''Alternative Sphere'' |
| 194 | * ''VideoGame/StellaVanity'' |
| 195 | * ''VideoGame/WarningForever'' |
| 196 | * ''Wolflame'' |
| 197 | * ''Zillion Beatz'' (a music-based vertical shooter) |
| 198 | |
| 199 | [[AC:Horizontally-scrolling Shooter]] |
| 200 | * ''Armed Seven'' |
| 201 | * ''VideoGame/{{cloudphobia}}'' |
| 202 | * ''Diadra Empty'' |
| 203 | * ''[[VideoGame/ExtrapowerStarResistance EXTRAPOWER Star Resistance]]'' |
| 204 | * ''Gundemonium'', ''[=GundeadliGne=]'', and ''Gundemonium Recollection'' from the ''Gundemonium'' series |
| 205 | * ''[=PriZhm=]'' |
| 206 | * ''Revolgear II'' (freeware ''Gradius''-esque shoot 'em up) |
| 207 | * ''[=Revolver360=]'' and ''[=Revolver360=] RE:ACTOR'' |
| 208 | * ''VideoGame/RollingGunner'' |
| 209 | * ''VideoGame/{{Satazius}}'' |
| 210 | * Horizontal shooters by Orange_Juice: |
| 211 | ** ''VideoGame/{{SUGURI}}'' |
| 212 | ** ''VideoGame/{{sora}}'' |
| 213 | * ''Supercharged Robot VULKAISER'' |
| 214 | * ''VideoGame/TroubleWitches'' series: |
| 215 | ** ''Trouble Witches Episode 1 ~Daughters of Amalgam~'' |
| 216 | ** ''Trouble Witches Episode 2 ~With Descendents of Ancient Dragon the Souless~'' |
| 217 | * ''Zangeki Warp'' |
| 218 | |
| 219 | [[AC:Rail-Shooter]] |
| 220 | * ''Gunner's Heart'' |
| 221 | * ''[=SHAFTDIVER=]'' |
| 222 | |
| 223 | [[AC:Other]] |
| 224 | * ''VideoGame/EtherVapor'' (a shoot 'em up with changing gameplay, going from a vertical shooter, horizontal shooter, and even a rail shooter) |
| 225 | ** ''VideoGame/{{Astebreed}}'' (spiritual successor to ''Ether Vapor'') |
| 226 | * ''Erst Kerf'' (an RPG adventure game with an overhead shoot 'em up perspective) |
| 227 | * ''VideoGame/EveryExtend'' |
| 228 | * ''QUALIA'' (localized as ''Qlione'' by Rockin' Android) |
| 229 | [[/folder]] |
| 230 | |
| 231 | [[folder:Visual Novel]] |
| 232 | * ''Daitoshokan no hitsujikai: Houkago Shippo Days'' |
| 233 | * ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' |
| 234 | * ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' |
| 235 | * ''VisualNovel/RoseGunsDays'' |
| 236 | * ''VisualNovel/UminekoWhenTheyCry'' |
| 237 | * ''Trif'' |
| 238 | * ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'' |
| 239 | * ''Valhellio'' (also a vertical shoot 'em up) |
| 240 | [[/folder]] |
| 241 | |
| 242 | [[folder:Miscellaneous]] |
| 243 | [[AC:Board Game:]] |
| 244 | * ''Videogame/OneHundredPercentOrangeJuice'', a crossover game by Orange_Juice featuring characters from some of their games (''SUGURI'', ''Flying Red Barrel'', and ''QP Shooting'') |
| 245 | [[/folder]] |
| 246 | [[/index]] |
| 247 |
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