The best games of Acquire Corp

Summary

• Acquire is known for stealth games like
  Tenchu
  but expanded into other genres and settings.
• Rain
  a unique adventure game in which invisible characters are revealed only in the rain.
• Mario and Luigi: Brotherhood
  by Acquire builds on the critical and commercial success achieved earlier in the series.

Since their debut record Tenchu: Stealth AssassinsAcquire became known for its stealth games set in various periods of Japanese history, achieving further success with other Tenchu games and The way of the samurai. Acquire is known to collaborate on development with other companies, perhaps most notably working with Square Enix on Octopath Traveler series.

In 2024, they were taken over by the Kadowaka Corporation, but continue to operate Mario and Luigi: Brotherhood with Nintendo, among other projects. Branching out into other genres, art styles, and environments, the company has plenty of must-play titles in its back catalog, ranked here by overall popularity and influence.

10 Rain

Visible when wet

• Platform: PlayStation 3
• Released: 2013-10-01
• The developer: Acquire Corp., Japan Studio
• Genre: Adventures

Exclusive to PlayStation 3, Rain is an adventure game with unique game mechanics. Players take on the role of a young boy who must navigate the city in search of a mysterious girl, but they are invisible and can only be tracked by the rain.

Enemies in the city are also invisible, giving away their presence only thanks to the rain that gives them shape. Critics loved the atmosphere and overall melancholic feel of the game, which really struck a chord with players, but the relatively short runtime of less than five hours and simple gameplay won't be for everyone.

9 The way of the samurai

Wandering Ronin

Set in the fictional Roccotsu Pass in 1878, players control a lone ronin named Kenji. Depending on the choice made, The way of the samurai has six possible endings, with important decisions affecting the game from the start.

Combat is a key part of the game, and there are over forty types of swords for players to choose from, but only three can be carried at any one time. Some key attributes affect swords, such as sharpness and strength. The The way of the samurai the series was successful, but the first game is still the best.

8 Algorithm

Heavenly rhythm

• Platform: PlayStation Vita
• Released: 2012-08-09
• The developer: To acquire
• Genre: rhythm game, real-time strategy

This PlayStation Vita exclusive has a pretty unique premise with a combination of god simulation, rhythm and real time strategy. Putting players in control of the God of Light and commanding warriors representing the elements of fire, earth, and water, the goal is to defeat the “Dark Tribe” led by the brother of the God of Light.

Each element has its own strengths and weaknesses against each other, and matching the beat of the music will make the warriors stronger. If players persevere with this hidden gem, they will find the experience enjoyable, especially the exciting boss battles.

7 What have I done to deserve this my lord!?

Holy cult classic, Badman!

• Platform: PlayStation Portable
• Released: 2007-12-06
• The developer: To acquire
• Genre: Real-time strategy

A relatively unknown cult hit outside of Japan, What have I done to deserve this my lord!? is a PSP exclusive that spawned two sequels. This is an RTS that focuses on protecting the evil demon Lord Badman from the hero who is chasing him by digging tunnels and placing monsters in his path.

Players have a limited amount of “Digging Power” with the pick, and it can be used to improve monsters, making the hero's task more difficult. They can also try to save Lord Badman while the hero escapes. This whimsical title is surprisingly complex, but doesn't disappoint.

6 Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Stealth pioneer

One of the first mainstream stealth games and one of the first to use only 3D graphics, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins was Acquire's debut game. The action takes place in Japan during the Sengoku era. Players control either Rikimaru or Ayame, a ninja from the Azuma clan, as they must remain undetected and quietly eliminate enemies.

Across eleven sandbox levels, players can choose different items in their loadout, creating potentially unique playthroughs each time. Nearby Metal Gear Solid and Thief: The Dark Project, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins set a precedent for the stealth genre and influenced many developers in the future.

5 Tenchu ​​​​2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

Young ninjas

Eager players didn't have to wait long to dive into more stealth action, for example Tenchu ​​2: The Birth of Stealth Assassins was released just two years after the original. The prequel tells the story of young Rikimaru or Ayame fighting the villainous group “Burning Dawn”.

The emphasis is again on stealth and trying to remain undetected while silently eliminating enemies. Critics generally felt that it was an improvement on its predecessor, and the inclusion of a mission editor allowed players to create their own scenarios and environments for the game.

4 Mario and Luigi: Brotherhood

Teamwork and solidarity

After closing AlphaDream developers Mario and Luigi series, many fans have been speculating about who will be developing the next game. Nintendo chose Acquire to continue this and they have done a fantastic job Mario and Luigi: Brotherhood is one of the most critically and commercially successful of the series.

They decided to tweak the game a bit by making it fully 3D and putting more emphasis on exploration and teamwork. The vibrant art style and combat mechanics were particularly popular choices, and the story is surprisingly engaging for a mustachioed bros game.

3 Kamiwaza: Way Of The Thief

Honor among thieves

• Platform: PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch
• Released: 2022-10-11
• The developer: To acquire
• Genre: Action

Originally exclusive to Japan on the PlayStation 2, Kamiwaza: The Way of the Thief finally reached western shores in 2022. Set in the Edo period and following an aspiring Robin Hood-style thief, Ebizo, players must sneak around cards and steal to pay for medicine for Ebizo's adopted daughter.

Very similar The way of the samuraithere are branching storylines that will have a big impact later in the game depending on the player's decisions, and stealth mechanics remind Tenchu. Sometimes the difficulty can feel unfair, but overall the game is enjoyable, varied and quirky.

2 Octopath Traveler

The era of HD-2D begins

The first game designed in a graphical style known as HD-2D, Octopath Traveler is a JRPG set in the fictional country of Orster. By choosing one of the eight main characters and recruiting the others at their respective starting locations, players must complete each character's four chapter arcs.

The combat system is quite innovative, with a turn-based structure and the addition of 'Break' and 'Boost' points that affect the damage done to enemies or make them miss a turn. There was some criticism of the portrayal of the female characters, although some reviewers enjoyed Primrose's story.

1 Octopath Traveler 2

Great job Acquire

Acquire's best work comes in form Octopath Traveler 2which retains most of the charm of the first game, but adds even more. The combat and graphics are still largely the same, but both were great to begin with, and the addition of unique day and night interactions was refreshing.

The game takes place in the new world of Solistia and features eight new characters to choose from, this time in a more industrial era. The female characters were better represented, and overall most critics felt that this entry in the series was better than the first.