Rabbit & Bear Studiosannouncedon July 25 the Kickstarter for a brand new RPG project,Eiyuden Chronicle. The game is a spiritual successor toSuikoden, handled by the same core staff. TheEiyuden ChronicleKickstarter is scheduled to start on July 27, and the game is planned to launch on PC in Fall 2022. Stretch goals for the Kickstarter will include console releases.Eiyuden Chronicleis described as an homage to PS1 era JRPG games.
Four developers working onEiyuden Chroniclewere revealed. From left to right, we have:
Yoshitaka Murayama is on Script and Game Design. He is mainly known as the Director and main script writer ofSuikoden 1and2. Recently he also wrote the original scripts forWarriors Orochi 4andThe Alliance Alive. While time didn’t permit me to report on it, Murayama teased on hisFacebookin early July that a newSuikodenrelated announcement was coming.
Junko Kawano is the Character Designer. She is known for her uncountable contribution to theSuikodenseries, taking the mantle of Maruyama to lead the series after he left Konami in 2002. She was a designer onSuikoden 1, and was the main writer and Producer ofSuikoden 4andSuikoden Tactics. This is the first time in 25 years she and Murayama are collaborating on a game together. Junko Kawano was most notably the Director, Writer, Character Designer and even one of the voice actresses, in PS2 gameShadow of Destiny.Recently, she’s working on mobile gameArcalasttogether with Osamu Komuta, launched in July 2019 in Japan.
Osamu Komuta is credited as System Design and Direction. He previously worked onSuikoden TirkreisandSuikoden Tactics.
Last but not least, Junichi Murakami is credited as Producer and Art Direction. He previously worked on theCastlevaniaseries at Konami, and was Director ofAria of Sorrowon GBA.
Both Murayama and Komuta shared their enthusiasm about the announcement on Twitter. Murayama said he’s making the game with “his friends”. Komuta said he’s eager to work on a PC/console game for the first time in a while.
A story pitch forEiyuden Chroniclewas shared by Rabit & Bear Studios:
Our story begins in one corner of Allraan, a tapestry of nations with diverse cultures and values.
By dint of sword, and by way of magical objects known as ârune-lenses,â
the landâs history has been shaped by the alliances and aggressions of the humans, beastmen, elves,
and desert people who live there.
The Galdean Empire has edged out other nations and discovered a technology that amplifies the rune-lensesâ magic.
Now, the Empire is scouring the continent for an artifact that will expand their power even further.
It is on one such expedition that Seign Kesling, a young and gifted imperial officer, and Nowa, a boy from a remote village,
meet each other and become friends.
However, a twist of fate will soon drag them into the fires of war, and force them both to reexamine everything they believe to be right and true.
Yoshitaka Murayama also shared a message on the studio’s official site:
We, at Rabbit & Bear, have recently announced our new title âEiyuden Chronicleâ.
Itâs a game that the team has put its heart and soul into.
Basically, it was a challenge to ourselves â âCan we not make the most interesting game of our lives? No limits. Just following our creative paths as they areâ
In all my years of development the number one thing that has made me happy is hearing a fan express enjoyment at playing my games.
So thatâs what Iâm setting out to do with âEiyuden ChronicleââTo make as many fans happy as possible.
However, we canât do it alone.
In order to succeed we need your strength, support, and hope.
Right now more than ever, we need heroes to realize this dream.
We hope youâll join us!
A first teaser video for was shared via IGN Japan:
The game’s characters were introduced as well in Japanese. We’ll be detailing all that soon through another article. Meanwhile you can find below the game’s key visual and logo.
