Conception II could be the perfect example of everything that’s wrong with Japanese gaming culture

Conception II is a JRPG developed by Spike Chunsoft and published by Atlus for the 3DS and PlayStation Vita. It’s due for release in the summer of 2014.

Conception II revolves around a young man who must save the world by creating “star children” with seven female characters. These children are made by fusing skills and stats of the parents to create a new party member which can help you in battle, the overall power of the child will result from the depth of the bond you have with the mother. Now although this sounds crazy it’s actually very similar to Persona’s social link and fusion system.

Now before I begin pulling this game to pieces I should note that there are certain themes and ideas that have a higher level of social acceptability in Japan than in other countries. As an outsider my view point will obviously be different. However I absolutely disagree with the notion that morality is dependent on geographical location and there are somethings which are just plain wrong!

A great example of these differences in acceptance is the lolita fetish which penetrates much of Japanese manga, anime and games. Square Enix is aware of these cultural differences and had Bravely Default’s characters ages raised from 15 to 18 and their clothing altered to make it less sexual for the European. In my mind there is no controversy here, the Japanese release of this game is morally abhorrent and Square Enix needs to seriously reconsider its approach. Just because something is accepted doesn’t make it right.

Images on the left are from the European release and on the right are the orginal Japanese.

Also Conception II is not out yet and it is possible, though unlikely, that the game will surprise us all with its ravishing intellect and deep social commentary. I’m not holding my breath though.

The harem fantasy

Conception II’s main character is a male, no surprise there, but his access to 7 baby-making female party member is certainly a surprise. Now I don’t think I need to explain the obvious symbolism at work in the making of “star-children” and that’s fine! I have no problems with sex in games in the same way I have no problem with sex in books and films!

However I do have a problem with seven women and one male leader with whom they must make babies. This is a harem, pure and simple, and harems are not good. Now before I go any further I am not talking about polygamy, I am talking about a system where several females serve a male leader and are obliged to produce him children.

This is a standard male power fantasy, one that can be found in pornography worldwide, the idea of having multiple women lusting after and serving one man. Sure its titillating and sure it’s going to help the game sell, but its lazy and its crude.

Young flesh

Finally and most obviously, these are school children! Their maximum age is 18, (except for one who is a year older making her 19) and they are being sexualised. I don’t think I really need to go into details about why sexualising children is wrong do I?