Japanese Vanquish Sales Aren't Overwhelming

You know, the Japanese just don't like guns. This one might fare a little better due to the name behind it and the style but even so...guns aren't their thing.

While Platinum Games' Bayonetta sold nearly 135k copies in its first day of availability of Japan, their follow-up title - the "Gears of War on crack" product, Vanquish - isn't doing half so well. Although these numbers can hardly be considered official, they're probably not far from the truth. A post in the SegaBits forum (we're into checking forums after the Arne Meyer comment) says the hot new action game sold around 56,000 units upon its Japanese launch. Unsurprisingly, 47,000 of those copies were the PlayStation 3 version and perhaps just as unsurprisingly, it couldn't outsell the new Naruto Storm 2 by Namco, which came in at around 85,000.

It's just interesting to see. It'll be even more interesting when we compare these numbers to the North American sales, which we expect to be a good deal higher. Great reception by the critics and...well, the fact that we Westerners tend to like our shooters should guarantee that. We just hope you buy Vanquish because that game is oodles of fast-paced fun.

Related Game(s): Vanquish

Tags: vanquish, japanese gaming, vanquish sales, sega

10/24/2010 9:04:47 PM John Shepard

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Comments (53 posts)

Toggle Scrolling | Reload Comments

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:06:59 PM
Reply

Proof. The Japanese know what's good in gaming.

2 up, 11 down

Alienange
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:40:29 PM

I don't think they have a blooming clue what's good for gaming. This gen has completely confused them and left them slack jawed at their own inability to bring massive sales numbers.

5 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:58:38 PM

*ahem* the fans not the developers and publishers who are clearly doped up on triptocaine or something.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 11:03:22 PM

Normally I'd agree, but they do miss out on great games like Gears and Vanquish because of their own personal tastes, just like we miss out on many JRPGs and other titles because of ours.

11 up, 1 down

eLLeJuss
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 11:26:46 PM

This can't be proof. Vanquish is a good game. You probably haven't even played it yet.

5 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 11:59:56 PM

Ben,

I'm really surprised you enjoy a game like Gears. I've tried it out and can't get past the character design and simplistic gameplay.

2 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 1:01:05 AM

Who gives a sh** about that? It isn't an RPG...go kill big monsters with big guys with big guns. Effing awesome...every now and then. ;)

14 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 1:22:29 AM

I feel like I just found out a friend that's known for going out with the hottest girls in town has a thing for fat chicks, that's all.

5 up, 6 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 1:59:21 AM

LOL Ben, a man of diverse tastes indeed.

3 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 12:12:32 PM

Since when did I say I preferred the fat chicks over the hot chicks...? Sometimes, you have to go with what's available.

...wait...that's not fair to Gears, damnit.

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 2:02:39 PM

I played the demo, meh.

Any don't harass Ben for liking the heavy honeys, they need lovin too. Just ya know, not from me.

0 up, 1 down

frostface
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:08:00 PM
Reply

I plan on picking it up, I just gotta figure out which bank and what time the time lock is set too. Once I get that figured out, I plan on spending all my new found loot on this and the other umpteen amount of games on my list.
This game does look like super fun though and the demo was a nice taster!

0 up, 1 down

Temjin001
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:09:37 PM
Reply

I don't know what to expect from Vanquish in sales. It's pseudo-military shooting without online. I just don't see too many shooter CoD/Halo fanatics running out to play this game especially if MoH already ate their lunch money.

And I'm shooting from the hip on all of this of course =p

4 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:21:48 PM
Reply

Bummer. Maybe Mikami and Platinum's next game should be a JPRG.

2 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 12:01:25 AM

Like that's going to happen.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 1:08:53 AM

I know. But its a good idea. ;)

2 up, 0 down

A2K78
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:26:07 PM
Reply

"the fact that we Westerners tend to like our shooters should guarantee that"

are you saying that japanese gamers don't look like shooters? If this is the case then I wonder why light gun games continue to have a strong showing at japanese arcades, especially with games such as Razing Storm, GhostSquad, Cobra, HOTD4, etc.

As for the sales of Vanquish, the numbers don't suprise me one bit at all given the fact Japanese gamers have all abandoned the console scene...

1 up, 5 down

Jawknee
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:28:11 PM

How the hell do you get through life being so wrong about anything and everything?

Compared to the West Japanese gamers tend NOT to flock towards shooters. Where the hell do you get this nonsense?

8 up, 1 down

Alienange
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:48:56 PM
Reply

It's just too expensive for what you get. If Platinum Games had payed any attention whatsoever to the gaming market, they'd know full well there are tons of gamers that would like to play their game but because of the lack of content, will simply wait for the bargain bin. Nobody spends 60 on a 10 hour shooter. Why would they?

7 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 10:52:57 PM

I agree with you. For a game lacking multiplayer(which i was fine with) a 10 hour campaign is weak sauce.

I'm going to wait.

5 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 11:07:48 PM

I don't get it. Uncharted 2 was about that long... If it's 10 hours and it's top-quality, it's worth full price. If it's half that length, maybe not.

Too many people put too much stock in length and I find it a little annoying. Here's the thing- a developer has a vision and a story to tell. An author doesn't start writing a book with a page amount in mind, nor does the reader start reading with a page limit in mind. They don't open the book at the book store and go, "gee, it's only 100 pages; not worth my time." That's because readers know a great experience is worth the price of admission.

If a developer drags out a story beyond the point of interest, that's no good. If you don't have any quality, engaging content past the 10 hour mark, don't drop in another 5 just to say it's a 15-hour game. My bottom line is this- if the game feels satisfying; if it doesn't feel too short or too long; if it doesn't feel rushed or needlessly expanded upon, it's a great game and worth full price.

I think we're a little too obsessed with length these days. It's almost gotten to the point where people think any game longer than 10 hours is automatically better than one that's shorter...regardless of any other factor besides length. That's a dangerous road and a slippery slope, my friends. We need to grade on quality, and that includes balance, pacing, and a variety of other artistic factors.

Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 10/24/2010 11:08:03 PM

10 up, 2 down

Alienange
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 11:22:08 PM

I see what you're saying Ben, but why should we give an action game a pass when RPGs have been using filler for decades? Shooter filler is multiplayer. RPG filler is grinding.

If they made an RPG without exploration, without leveling up and grinding and only a couple of stats to enhance, would we be satisfied? I don't think so. No matter how good the artistic vision, if it's not worth the money, or isn't what people want to play, then it gets left by the wayside until we say "hey look, it's only 20."

That way we get the game and don't lose all our money in the process.

3 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 11:28:05 PM

Uncharted 2 can't really be compared to Vanquish though. For one thing it has multiplayer. Two, it's a better game than Vanquish for a number of reasons. I agree if it feels satisfying then fine. Thats good. However games aren't getting any cheaper and asking $60 for a game thats 5 to 10 hours with no multiplayer is kind of asking a lot, especially for a multiplat. I don't know. I guess it depends on the game. Something like God of War III, i was happy paying full price even though it was only a few hours longer than this. Maybe my longing for a good, long, engaging console RPG is bleeding over into other genres.

@Alienage, "If they made an RPG without exploration, without leveling up and grinding and only a couple of stats to enhance, would we be satisfied?"

Are you thinking about the same game as I am? HA!

Last edited by Jawknee on 10/24/2010 11:31:49 PM

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 11:44:41 PM

For the most part I agree with you Ben. Like Heavenly Sword was an awesome experience and didn't need to be any longer than it was. However, we gamers also need to think about our money. You get lots for free which allows you to give it a fair score, but sometimes our personal scores take into account "Bang for your buck" and I think the 30 I paid for HS was about right, but 60 would have kind of hurt.

3 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 1:02:02 AM

I get having priorities when it comes to spending your money. But I would far sooner pay $60 for a quality 5-hour campaign than a mediocre 15-hour one.

Vanquish is worth $60. Most movies will cost $20-30, which is either 1/2 or 1/3 of the price...and movies are only 2 hours long, usually. When it comes to entertainment, gaming is actually one of the better deals out there.

Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 10/25/2010 1:03:11 AM

7 up, 0 down

MadPowerBomber
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 1:39:54 AM

I'm in total agreeance with Ben on this. Length simply does not determine quality, and the replayability on Vanquish insures you'll get your money's worth. Length doesn't determine quality, and how this notion ever got born into this world and became a popular way to determine whether or not a game is good or worth the price of admission escapes me.

I remember games like Contra where you could beat the whole game in less than an hour, yet it didn't stop many people from spending sixty or seventy bucks on the game and playing the holy ever living crap out of it.

That's what Vanquish is to me. it isn't "Gears on crack" as everyone is saying it is. It's "Contra on crack... and in 3D." and it has tremendous replay value in both the campaign and the challenges you unlock from playing the campaign.

Of course I also described it to a friend as being what Transformers should have been as far as the human elements are concerned. Hehhhh..

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 1:41:44 AM

I don't buy movies :)

2 up, 1 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 2:10:54 AM

I actually agree with ben here. I'll gladly pay $100 AUD for an eight hour game, provided that I feel satisfied by the end result. I probably won't pay full price if it less than that, or if it seems as though I won't get a great deal of replay value out of it. Of course, I generally feel as though a longer game generally is more worth my money, but not if it is a poor effort, or if it feels needlessly expanded.

The comparison to a novel is quite brilliant. The author has something to say, and they will say it in the time that it takes to say it. They usually will not try to expand it for the sake of having the reader invest more time in it for relatively little profit.

So yeah. As long as a short game isn't left with a cliffhanger, or feels shortchanged in any way, I see no problem with paying the full price tag, particularly when there are longer titles that seem far less engaging.
Peace.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 2:18:13 AM

"Length simply does not determine quality"

No one said it did.

3 up, 0 down

Gabriel013
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 2:21:08 AM

I wonder if it will have suitably structured trophies or dlc which will encourage gamers to replay the campaign? I have no problem with a lack of multiplayer as I wouldn't have used it anyway so if I buy it I might actually stand a chance of getting all the awards.

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 12:14:16 PM

Jawknee: Everyone around here implies it all the time. Someone will pass on a short game when they know absolutely nothing about it...just because it's short. That right there says they believe - perhaps subconsciously - that length equates to quality.

2 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Sunday, October 24, 2010 @ 11:52:55 PM
Reply

Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 is amazing buy it now!

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 12:53:31 AM

I'm going to as soon as i can. That game looks great. I'm a sucker for cell shaded games. Ever since The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

2 up, 0 down

firehahahahaha
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 5:01:34 AM

Lovin it so far, but with all the little changes, it just doesn't feel as good as the first :(.

1 up, 0 down

Kiryu
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 7:43:46 AM

Yeah the first one was a ps3 exclusive and open world stuff was awesome,now it seems corridor based.Damn microsft ruin everything by making it multiplatform.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 10:40:52 AM

Hmmm, I going to have to get the first one now too. Thanks guys!

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 12:01:04 AM
Reply

I'm surprised it hasn't done better. It has a robotic-anime feel to it and comes from an established game designer.

1 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 2:04:11 AM
Reply

Well that is to be expected. No matter who the developer is, the Eastern market just doesn't seem all that interested in shooters. I wonder why that is considering that they go gangbusters here. Well, I'll definitely get the title, but not until next year. I'd gladly pay full price for this, but with my current backlog and GT5 rolling up, I can't really justify it.
Peace.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 2:34:03 AM
Reply

not surprised considering how short and crap the game is!
oh sega what happened to you?
you use to be the cream of the crop, sonic alone was enough to carry the company.
now not even god himself could save you!

0 up, 6 down

A2K78
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 3:07:52 AM
Reply

"Compared to the West Japanese gamers tend NOT to flock towards shooters.

You claim japanese gamers tend not to flock towards shooters, yet you fail to answer my question as to why japanese gamers still are flocking to play light gun games, games which happen to be shooters.

0 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 4:43:04 AM

Good god, learn to use the reply button.

And no, compared to the West, Japanese gamers simply so not worship shooters like you want to believe they do.

4 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 6:09:38 AM

I agree with Jawk on the reply comment.

It occurs to me that the Japanese market focusses much more heavily on games that are kind of... zany. Why else would Rapelay have an audience over there? And that's the thing, light gun shooters have a much more intense, hectic, experience, while being slightly easier and usually a story that most people will shake their heads at and ignore. Western-appeal shooters are more about immersing you in the game and presenting you with a semi-realistic story. That, I feel, is the key difference.

TL;DR: Light gun shooters are not the same as FPS/TPS.
Peace.

1 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 7:57:11 AM

@Jawk,

He's not the only one around here who doesn't reply in the right thread, and I don't see any of you guys going after that person. I'm just saying.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 10:23:42 AM

I will when they engage me. Until then "I COULDN'T care less."

0 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 5:35:44 AM
Reply

Vanquish is good (based solely on my opinion on the demo). But oftentimes this is usually the case, and I was impressed by Vanquish. I'll give this a go but it comes after my priority purchases: Black Ops, GT5, KZ3 and LBP2.

And perhaps the Japanese are more diverse as with Ben; they don't go just with popular opinion, they go with enjoyment factor. Just so with the games I mentioned above, I do enjoy those types of games. Even without much hype or people pushing me to buy, I will still buy them.

1 up, 0 down

dante_zero
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 6:26:31 AM
Reply

i've rented Vanquish for a week. took me 9hrs and 34 minutes to beat the game on fHard. gotta another run to do on easy and clear up a few trophys and then tackle the nightmarish Challenge mood. damn that mode is hard.I gotta say i've enjoyed the game and gameplay.graphically its really good but personally i just feel it lacking something that i cant quite put my finger on and the story is abit guff. I just feel its not quite a full package and that why i dont think it a £40 game. maybe if it had release at say £30 or there abouts i may feel like i got my moneys worth. but that just my opinion. lol

1 up, 0 down

JackC8
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 7:28:30 AM
Reply

I was disappointed that the game's as short as it is. With all their attention focused on single-player, I would have expected more. I'm sure it's a fun shooter and all, but I just platinumed a third person shooter a few weeks ago, and I'm perfectly happy to wait for the price to come down before getting another one. I'd get extremely bored playing more than one shooter in a six month period.

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 8:05:02 AM
Reply

It's not that guns aren't their thing, they just don't like shooters.
I think compared to Bayonetta, this game is gonna flop in sale.
I'm sure most US gamers will stay away from this game for being short and feature no multiplayer.

Shame, I was looking forward to this.

0 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 9:19:18 AM
Reply

A short campaign with no multiplayer? No thanks.

0 up, 0 down

RebelJD
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 9:51:13 AM
Reply

I'm glad Vanquish didn't come with an L.E. or Collector's Edition. Making this game worth buying but not right now.

0 up, 1 down

BeezleDrop
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 11:11:18 AM
Reply

As a short campaign really is inexcusable these days, I am enjoying Vanquish a HELL of a lot more then Medal of Honor.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 2:04:15 PM
Reply

Let's just say this, if Uncharted 3 comes out and is 5 hours, I won't buy it new.

2 up, 0 down

th3_bLy
Monday, October 25, 2010 @ 5:29:26 PM
Reply

I've been playing the game and I'm maybe around 4 hours in with 3/5 of the story complete, but I don't regret picking it up. I do however like taking my time with games, so I probably won't finish this for another week haha

1 up, 0 down

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cheats	PS2
The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer cheats	PS2
Grand Theft Auto 3 cheats	PS2
Surf's Up cheats	PS3
Grand Theft Auto IV cheats	PS3
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows cheats	PS3
Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped cheats	PS1
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis cheats	PS1
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories cheats	PSP

Resident Evil: Revelations review	PS3
Metro: Last Light review	PS3
Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov's Revenge review	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review	PS3
Star Trek: The Video Game review	PS3
Injustice: Gods Among Us review	PS3
Dead Island: Riptide review	PS3
Defiance review	PS3
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review	PS3
Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel review	PS3

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified preview	PS3
Time and Eternity preview	PS3
Ride to Hell: Retribution preview	PS3
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger preview	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon preview	PS3
Spartacus Legends preview	PS3
Payday 2 preview	PS3
DUST 514 preview	PS3
Dynasty Warriors 8 preview	PS3
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness preview	PS3

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
	Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
	No, but I'll get one eventually.
	No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
	No, I've already got one.

Playstation 3

Playstation 4

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Japanese Vanquish Sales Aren't Overwhelming

Comments (53 posts)

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Sponsor

Our Poll