Suikoden creator announces Kickstarter for spiritual successor

Some of the key creators of beloved 90s Japanese role-playing game Suikoden are launching a spiritual successor on Kickstarter.

Yoshitaka Murayama, Junko Kawano, Osamu Komuta and Junichi Murakami are working together on a new role-playing game called Eiyuden Chronicle, with a Kickstarter set to go live on 27th July 2020 asking for $500,000.

Eiyuden Chronicle is described as an ode to the classic JRPG genre from the PlayStation era that will feature classic JRPG exploration and battles in high-resolution 2.5D graphics, pixel-based characters, a story of war and friendship, a diverse cast of 100 unique heroes to join the protagonist's endeavor, and a fortress building system to grow their army.

The game will also feature a guild system that allows players to change their fortress attributes based on the guild they join. Battles will be turn-based with parties of up to six members and feature dynamic boss battles that change camera angle and rotate depending on the environment.

Eiyuden Chronicle's story will be handled by Suikoden 1 and 2 veteran scenario writer Murayama, with character design by Kawano (Suikoden 1, 4, Arca Last), system design and direction by Komuta (Suikoden Tierkreis, Suikoden Tactics, Arca Last), and art direction and production by Murakami (Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, OZ). The game's soundtrack will feature compositions by famed RPG composers Michiko Naruke (Wild Arms series), Motoi Sakuraba (Tales series), and others.

Murayama and co have founded a new studio, called Rabbit & Bear Studios, which is based in Tokyo, Japan. Eiyuden Chronicle marks the first time these four members have worked on a game together and marks the first time Murayama and Kawano have collaborated in over 25 years.

"The first thing we decided when our members came together was, 'It's about time we made a really interesting game that we ourselves want to make.' We chose Kickstarter in order to make an interesting game with the players in mind, hold the rights to the planning, world, and story of the game, all while keeping the fun of the project. Please lend us your support in this new challenge of ours! We promise to create something that heeds the call of your voices," Murayama said.

If all goes well, Eiyuden Chronicle will launch during the autumn of 2022 on PC, with console versions depending on stretch goals.