Yes friends, the studio behind the long running Atelier series GUST and publisher KOEI TECMO, is happy to bring you a brand new game. That game is titled Nights of Azure.
Nights of Azure is a dark, demon-centric adventure RPG style game focusing around the main character, Arnice. She has the ability to shift into various demon forms as well as the power to create and summon demon allies. The demon allies serve by her side when she ventures in the battlefield.
Known as Servans, Arnice’s diverse and lively cast of demon helpers act as healers, attackers, defenders, tricksters, followers, and mages, and ultimately serve to assist Arnice in battle. Arnice can upgrade and equip Servans at the Hotel (her base of operations), and carefully organizing a balanced team of up to four Servans based on a mission’s objectives is key in successfully completing the requirements of each task. Additionally, Servans have unique, quirky personalities of their own, so it’s always entertaining to see how each Servan reacts when teamed up with others. You can only imagine the banter mixing; say, a wood looking Servan up with perhaps a fire or water type kind of Servan. Below is a small art gallery of the Servans. Simply click on one to enlarge and check out the detail of some of these creatures.
On top of Servans being able to help in battle, they play another very important role. The combination of Servans you have with you in battle determines which form Arnice will take when she transforms into one of her more powerful demonic forms. There are five different forms she can take, and each one has it’s own uses and powers. The basic form, Demon form, gives her the ability to manipulate fire. Her Rabbit form gives her unreal and insane speed. Phantom form transforms her into a blue sharpshooter, allowing her to strike from a distance. The well-balanced Armor form—one of the game’s strongest forms—increases both Arnice’s offensive and defensive attributes. And last, but certainly not least, Arnice can transform into an overpowering demonic creature when she takes on the Nightmare Form! You can check out the gameplay video below that focuses on her transformations.
As you can see each form looks and plays differently. The games’ graphics look gorgeous, and I have already went out and pre-ordered it. I plan to write a review for this when I can, hopefully in the near future. It may be on the day of release or shortly after, so stay tuned for that. Here is an official product description quoted below.
Under the direction of Keisuke Kikuchi (Fatal Frame, Deception IV), Nights of Azure marks a new, darker direction for GUST while maintaining many of the gameplay elements adored by dedicated fans of the studio. Nights of Azure is a tragic tale of two friends faced with impossible decisions that will test their loyalty to their quest and to each other.
In the kingdom of Ruswal, very few people leave their homes after nightfall, let alone have the strength and skill to take on the powerful monsters that plague the island. One of the best among these brave few is the protagonist, Arnice, a knight of great skill and power, who is assisted by her friend and priestess Lilysse in a quest to rid the land of demons. However, they soon find out that the solution to the island’s problems might not be as simple as defeating enemies in battle.
It seems like an interesting story and I am looking forward to playing it through. What about you guys? Feel free to leave a comment in the comment section.
Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Gaming