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Key creators behind the Suikoden role-playing game series are working on a spiritual successor called Eiyuden Chronicle, described as “an ode to the classic JRPG genre from the PlayStation era.”
Developed by newly formed Rabbit and Bear Studios, Eiyuden Chronicle will feature “classic JRPG exploration” and turn-based battles with “high-resolution 2.5D graphics” and pixel-based characters. Like the Suikoden series, its spiritual successor will feature a massive cast of characters: 100 unique heroes in Eiyuden Chronicle’s case. Eiyuden Chronicle will also include a fortress-building and guild system, developers said.
The story of Eiyuden Chronicle focuses on Seign Kesling, described as a young and gifted imperial officer, and Nowa, a boy from a remote village, who live in the land of Allraan. The two become friends, despite being on different sides of a conflict between the peaceful League of Nations and the power-hungry Galdean Empire — which seeks to expand its reach through magical items called rune-lenses.
The team behind Eiyuden Chronicle includes Suikoden series creator Yoshitaka Murayama (Suikoden, Suikoden 2), who is serving as the game’s director and scenario writer; Junko Kawano (Suikoden, Suikoden 4), lead artist; Osamu Komuta (Suikoden Tactics, Suikoden Tierkreis), working on system design and direction; and Junichi Murakami (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow), working on art direction and production. Composers Motoi Sakuraba (Tales series) and Michiko Naruke (Wild Arms series) are also attached to the project.
Rabbit and Bear Studios is attempting to crowdfund Eiyuden Chronicle through Kickstarter. The studio’s campaign will run from July 27 to Aug. 28. Eiyuden Chronicle is being developed for PC, with console versions unlocked through crowdfunding stretch goals. The game has a planned fall 2022 release date.
The Suikoden series began on the original PlayStation in 1995. Konami released four main sequels, with the final numbered entry, Suikoden 5, arriving in 2006 for PlayStation 2. A number of spinoffs and remakes were also released for Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PSP.
Check out additional screenshots and artwork for Eiyuden Chronicle in the gallery below.
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Image: Rabbit and Bear Studios
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Image: Rabbit and Bear Studios
Update: This story has been updated to remove Yasunori Mitsuda’s name, who is not yet confirmed for the project.
Update 2 (July 27): The Kickstarter campaign for Eiyuden Chronicle is now live. The developer is seeking 53.8 million yen (about $509,713) for the project. A digital copy of Eiyuden Chronicle requires a pledge of 4,000 yen (about $38), and console versions of the game will be unlocked as part of a $1 million stretch goal.
