Dear Villagers will released newly announced, Artisan Studios-developed RPG Astria Ascending for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam in 2021 the west, the publisher announced. It will also be available via Xbox Game Pass.

“In Astria Ascending, we wanted to explore how people cope in extraordinary times,” said Artisan Studios game director Julien Bourgeois in a press release. “Each hero has their own perspective, but it’s the relationships they form with one another that truly brings the story to life.”

Dear Villagers head of publishing Guillamet Jamet added, “Seeing this world come together has been a delight. And it’s an honor to have so many legends on the team helping out—like a childhood dream come true. Astria Ascending is more than an homage to the classics. It’s the perfect next step in our publishing line of ambitious JRPGs.”

Here is an overview of the game, via Dear Villagers:

About

An epic adventure with the charm and pedigree of a classic JRPG, Astria Ascending tells an expansive story of fate, sacrifice and new beginnings.

The game was developed in partnership with publisher Dear Villagers and boasts contributions from world-class JRPG developers, with a score by Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy XII, Vagrant Story), narrative by Kazushige Nojima (Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy VII Remake) and art from CyDesignation (Akihiko Yoshida and Hideo Minaba).

In a world where chaos looms, players take control of the Demigods—a motley crew of eight heroes charged with the fate of the world. Each character has their own story, explored across five cities, twenty-five dungeons and thirty hours of gameplay up to fifty for 100% of completion. Along with the finely tuned turn-based combat, players can try out a range of side quests and mini-games, including an original fantasy-themed token game.

Key Features

• Epic Tales – Fight for the future while you reckon with the past; sacrifice everything, relinquish nothing. The story of Astria Ascending was developed in part by writer Kazushige Nojima, known for his work on Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy VII Remake.
• Living Landscapes – Travel the world of Orcanon, a richly imagined and fully animated 2D landscape with five cities and a dynamic weather system.
• Unforgettable Characters – Pick from eight customizable player characters spanning a range of fantastical races and skills, and assemble a diverse team of heroes.
• Rewarding Combat – Work together to save the world, waging strategic turn-based battles using the innovative focus point system.
• A Treat for the Ears – With music and SFX from composer Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy XII, Valkyria Chronicles), Astria Ascending is a heart-swelling joy to listen to.

Watch a set of trailers below. View the first screenshots at the gallery.

Announcement Trailer

Meet the Creators Video

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