Publication date of the original Japanese article: 2021-09-17 19:12 (JST)
Translated by. Ryuki Ishii

On September 17, Sega teased a new RPG due out for smartphones. More information will be revealed at TGS2021 Online on October 1 (JST). From what I can tell from the teaser trailer, the new game will likely have non-linear storytelling with branching paths.

The trailer shows various characters and landscapes from what looks to be a fantasy world, being drawn with quills. The narration begins by asking, “What is an RPG?” and then goes on to question things such as “linear storytelling” “player’s ability to go back and redo” “single predetermined ending.” I think the narrator is trying to defy what they think are the conventions of current RPG genre.

Later, the narrator harkens back to the dawn of RPG, the TRPGs. They reminisce how the story and the element of role-playing were player-driven. Stories in pen and paper RPGs were once in a lifetime experiences, rather than reading sessions. The narrator explains that TRPG experiences had a sense of excitement and freedom, implying that current RPGs lack these characteristics. “Let’s get back to the true role-playing games,” the narrator says.

Judging from these words, it seems like the game is aiming to recreate the non-linear, player-driven experience of TRPGs. Since the narrator also points out, “whether they smile or grieve, how the story will unfold is entirely up to you,” the game will probably have branching paths where players’ choice will change the course of the story and the fate of characters. Which in itself is nothing new for RPGs in general, but since this game is set to release as a mobile game, maybe Sega is trying to change something within the mobile RPG space.

The illustration shown in the trailer includes a group of young characters in armor and traveling wears looking out over a vast world. In addition, there is a scene that shows a silhouette of a character being stabbed in the abdomen by someone, and another of a character falling to the ground. Despite the beautiful illustrations, the story may be grim and harsh.