絶対絶命都市 - Zettai Zetsumei Toshi (Desperate City) was a game the premiered some years ago on the PS2, putting the player in the shoes of an earthquake survivor. Outwitting the hazards of an earthquake torn city, the lead character was also involved in revealing a cartel conspiracy. While the game presented a unique story and unique gameplay. i.e. it pre dated Ico with the idea of nurturing your game companions, their welfare was your welfare. Even though this was one of the first games to use the Hollywood disaster movie genre, the game never really delivered all you expected from it. Still it was a brave attempt.

Passing Akihabara last week I noticed a huge billboard for the next installment of this game, it looks graphically polished, with greater interaction between characters and more characters (the last game only saw a handful of survivors which lead to an unrealistic feel).

It will feel strange playing a game about earthquake survival in a country that lives with a daily threat of complete devastation, being situated in one of the most earthquake prone parts of the world.

I just hope I pick up some survival techniques from the game for not IF, but WHEN the "big one" comes.