Square Enix subsidiary development studio Tokyo RPG Factory was formed for the sole purpose of creating old-school RPGs; the kind that we used to play on the NES, SNES, and PlayStation growing up as kids. On the front page of the developer’s Japanese website you’ll see, “Countless adventures captivated us when we were kids. Now, it’s time for us to return the favor with adventures of our own.” To that end, Tokyo RPG Factory has produced its first project, I Am Setsuna , which aims to bring that old-school RPG magic to a new generation of players, as well as the old-timers. From a Square Enix press release:
“Led by director Atsushi Hashimoto, Tokyo RPG Factory aims to capture the narrative depth, impactful storytelling and masterful character development inspired by the golden era of Japanese role-playing games and bring them to current hardware and technology. With a battle system inspired by the classic hit Chrono Trigger, I Am Setsuna brings back authentic RPG gameplay, beautiful art design and a sorrowful story to the new generation.”
The story revolves around Setsuna, who is on a quest to offer herself up at a sacred shrine to appease the demons subjecting the land to a perpetual winter. According to Square Enix the central theme is “sadness,” and the game was praised in Japan for being tastefully melancholic. Critics also praised the game’s moving score, and adored the old-school gameplay elements. Expect to lead your party across a world map, captain an airship, level up, and engage in some classic turn-based battles when the game releases in North America for PS4 and PC this summer.
Source: Press Release