noun
character game; video game featuring characters from existing media
Refers to a video game that uses characters from a manga, anime, movie, or other franchise. The appeal is often the characters themselves rather than original gameplay.
wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English), from character game
最近のキャラクターゲームは、原作のファン以外にも楽しめるものが増えている。
Recent character games are increasingly enjoyable even for people who aren't fans of the original work.
noun
character-driven game; game focused on characters
A video game where the characters and their interactions are the main focus, often with strong narrative or personality elements. This sense overlaps with the first but emphasizes character centrality over franchise tie-in.
このキャラクターゲームは、戦闘よりもキャラ同士の会話がメインだ。
This character game focuses more on conversations between characters than on combat.