Astria Ascending is a hand-drawn RPG coming in 2021

Talent includes folks responsible for some favorite Square Enix JRPGs.

Artisan Studios, the French studio best known thus far for its work on Super Neptunia RPG, announced today that it is working on a "JRPG" called Astria Ascending. The game is due on consoles and PC later this year and some of the people involved should raise a few eyebrows if you've been playing around in the genre for long.

As noted in a press release, Astria Ascending features a score by Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy XII and Vagrant Story), narrative from Kazushige Nojima (Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy VII Remake) and art from CyDesignation (Akihiko Yoshida and Hideo Minaba). That should make for a project that feels at least a little bit Japanese, even if it is being developed in France and Quebec.

Astria Ascending introduces eight heroes known as Demigods must take the heroic measures that will determine no less than the fate of their world. Every hero has their own story, which is explored throughout 5 cities, 25 dungeons and over the course of 30 to 50 hours of gameplay (if you want to complete everything 100%).

Visually, the game looks a bit like a cross between Final Fantasy XII and various Vanillaware titles, which should get along just fine with the turn-based combat. There also are a variety of mini-games, including a "fantasy-themed token game," whatever that means.

"In Astria Ascending we wanted to explore how people cope in extraordinary times," said Artisan Studios game director Julien Bourgeois. "Each hero has their own perspective, but it's the relationships they form with one another that truly brings the story to life."

"Seeing this world come together has been a delight," noted Guillaume Jamet, head of publishing at Dear Villagers. "And it's an honor to have so many legends on the team helping out - like a childhood dream come true. Astria Ascending is more than an homage to the classics. It's the perfect next step in our publishing line of ambitious JRPGs."

The following features are promised:

• Epic tales: Fight for the future while you reckon with the past; sacrifice everything, relinquish nothing. The story of Astria Ascending was developed in part by writer Kazushige Nojima, known for his work on Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy VII Remake.


• Living landscapes: Travel the world of Orcanon, a richly imagined and fully animated 2D landscape with five cities and a dynamic weather system.


• Unforgettable characters: Pick from eight customizable player characters spanning a range of fantastical races and skills, and assemble a diverse team of heroes.


• Rewarding combat: Work together to save the world, waging strategic turn-based battles using the innovative focus point system.


• A treat for the ears: With music and SFX from composer Hitoshi Sakimoto (Final Fantasy XII, Valkyria Chronicles), Astria Ascending is a heart-swelling joy to listen to.

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Staff article by Jason Venter (March 26, 2021) Jason Venter has been playing games for 30 years, since discovering the Apple IIe version of Mario Bros. in his elementary school days. Now he writes about them, here at HonestGamers and also at other sites that agree to pay him for his words.