Throw money at this JRPG

Yes, I’m a JRPG fangirl. I’m also a Kickstarter virgin, but I think I’ve found the project that will pop my cherry! East and West are coming together to create Project Pheonix, a JRPG with a squad-based RTS game design.

Coming in mid-2015, Project Pheonix will be primarily a single player game to be released for Windows, Mac and LInux via Steam and possibly later on for PS4. According to the Kickstarter:

Project Phoenix is a fantasy themed squad-based real-time strategy game combined with Japanese RPG design influences.  The game draws you in with its breathtaking fantasy world, deep storyline, Japanese character designs, and a memorable cast, most notably, the band of heroes under your command.  Furthermore, its intuitive real-time tactical combat is dynamic, fluid, and streamlined, allowing you to experience the strategic options without being bogged down by overwhelming archaic battle systems.

Throughout the adventure, players will piece together the mysteries of an angel with amnesia and travel through the land of Azuregard with an unusual band of heroes searching for answers.

So. Much. WIN!  I’m totally in love with this concept, and it only gets better. Here are some of the people working on this project. Such a geekgasm of people!

• Director & Producer: Hiraoki Yura – Credits include Diablo III, Valkyria Chronicles, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, STEINS, GATE
• Game Designer: Vaughan Smith – most well-known for L.A. Noire
• Art Director/World Concept Artist: Kiyoshi Arai – credits include Final Fantasy 3, 12 and 14, Bloodmasque
• Lead Composer: Nobuo Uematsu – the Japanese legend who composed music for Final Fantasy 1-10 and Lost Odyssey.
• Sound Engineer: John Kurlander – Credits: Lord of the Rings Movie trilogy, The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim and Assassin’s Creed II

The game has three modes: exploration, combat and character advancement. Exploration will be unique for a JRPG in that there will be no grinding in order to advance to the next area. You can advance at your own pace to push on with the story or take your time to experience the world around you. Combat will be divided into story battles and random battles, using point and click to control your party of heroes. Character advancement will be based on the JRPG heritage – each hero will have a distinct class, but can also be customized according to a taken system. Plus, you can recruit new heroes as you progress through the game.

Here is some of the concept art for the game.

Or just watch their Kickstarter video and get all giddy and squishy inside. I’m honestly far too excited about this game!

Here is the Kickstarter link so you can join me in throwing money at them.  It’s already fully funded, but I still need to give them my money, because it’s just too awesome.

Last Updated: August 13, 2013