Amazon Opened Preorders for Tokyo Tattoo Girls on PlayStation Vita

Amazon opened preorders for the physical PlayStation Vita version of Tokyo Tattoo Girls, a strategy title scheduled for a summer 2017 release in North America. The game was also announced for a PC release. The retail listing provided the first major details on the game’s premise, gameplay mechanics, and unique artistic direction.

A Quarantined Tokyo

The story of Tokyo Tattoo Girls begins after a major calamity strikes the city, leaving it devastated and isolated from the rest of the world. In the aftermath, some of the survivors find themselves imbued with powerful, mysterious abilities that are linked to colorful tattoos appearing on their bodies. To maintain order and prevent further chaos, the city is officially cordoned off, trapping its inhabitants inside.

To create a semblance of peace, this new Tokyo has been divided into 23 distinct wards. Each ward is controlled by a powerful group known as a “Kumi.” These 23 Kumi have joined forces to create an overarching organization called the “Union,” which governs the entire isolated city. The central conflict revolves around a rumor circulating among the survivors: that escape from the quarantined city is possible, but only for the individual who can successfully defeat all 23 Kumi and dismantle the Union’s control.

The Role of the Tattoo Artist

Instead of playing as one of the tattooed fighters directly, the player assumes the role of a Tattoo Artist. The primary gameplay mechanic involves choosing a female companion character to aid in the quest to escape Tokyo. The player’s main function is to develop this companion’s abilities by strategically giving her powerful tattoos. This system serves as the core of the game’s character progression, with the tattoos directly bestowing the skills needed to confront the city’s powerful factions.

The game’s description suggests a deep level of customization and strategy in how the player chooses to empower their partner. The selection of tattoos will likely influence the companion’s combat style and effectiveness against the various Kumi leaders, requiring players to think carefully about how they build their partner’s strength for the trials ahead.

Conquering the 23 Wards

The ultimate objective is to conquer all of Tokyo’s 23 wards. This involves battling the Union and systematically defeating the Kumi that control each territory. The structure points toward a strategic area-control game where players must plan their path through the city, challenging one Kumi after another in the hope of eventually unifying Tokyo under their own influence. Success is framed not just as winning individual battles, but as a larger campaign to seize control of the city itself.

The game also features a ranking system, implying that player performance will be tracked and scored as they progress through the wards. The path to freedom requires a combination of thoughtful character development through the tattoo system and tactical prowess in the battles against the Union’s forces.

Authentic Tattoo Artistry

A key feature highlighted in the game’s description is its artistic style, which is heavily inspired by traditional Japanese tattoo art. To ensure authenticity, the developers collaborated with real-world tattoo artist Koji Tanaka, who created unique designs for the game. This focus on genuine tattoo culture aims to provide a distinct visual identity. The North American release was confirmed to feature in-game English text. The availability of a physical version for the PlayStation Vita was notable for supporters of the handheld platform.