Japan has long been a source of inspiration for many Western game developers, whether from Japanese games or other popular media. For solo developer Argyro Brotsi, it was visiting Japan for the first time in 2024 that inspired her to make Seina: A Tale of Spirits, a cosy adventure game whose titular child protagonist is transported to a fantasy world with cute animal spirits and ancient shrines."I was definitely more drawn to the quieter, more rural side of Japan rather than the big cities," Brotsi tells me. "Discovering Shinto and the way Japanese culture connects nature with spirituality inspired me a lot. That feeling - that even small moments have value - became the foundation of Seina: A Tale of Spirits, because I wanted to create a calm world of exploration where players can relax and feel connected to their surroundings."
