My request is for someone to educate my dumb ass about how VPN work.

Here's the tl;dr:
>live in the bumfuck europe nowhere
>have friends in japan
>they ask to play games with them

>check ping to japan
>180 ms
>yeah not happening

>google if VPN can improve ping
>says yes
>doubt.jpg
>get openvpn
>japan, 500mbps, ping 1 connection
>let's try that one

>open game
>ping: 300 ms

Is this about what I can expect if I but express vpn or nord vpn subscription?
Will it just make shit worse?
Or are they different?

Anyway, is this salvageable in any way shape or form or am i just stuck with shit ping to japan from europe forever?