Square Enix has lengthy since been the grasp of the JRPG. Even in the event you solely take a look at Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, it owns and creates the largest RPG franchises within the trade — however that’s simply the tip of the iceberg. Sure, it might simply depend on these massive names for all their future video games, nevertheless it continues to shock us with new franchises and IP.
The DioField Chronicle, for instance, was a shock announcement that would have simply match proper in as the following entry within the Final Fantasy Tactics collection, however as an alternative is carving its personal path. While many individuals do need the massive Final Fantasy Tactics identify, this new techniques title seems prefer it checks all the correct bins for followers.
Announced first on the March 2022 State of Play, The DioField Chronicle stood out among the many different Square Enix bulletins for not solely being a brand new IP, however for being a return to the tactical RPG style that has been rising in reputation with the likes of the latest Fire Emblem video games and Triangle Strategy. Unlike Triangle Strategy, which tries to harken again to old skool, pixel artwork RPGs of the 90s, The DioField Chronicle is a completely 3D and modern-looking tackle the style. There’s nonetheless rather a lot to be revealed about this new techniques RPG from Square Enix, however right here’s all the pieces we all know up to now about The DioField Chronicle.
Further studying
The DioField Chronicle launch date
With simply the reveal trailer proven up to now, all Square Enix has mentioned about The DioField Chronicle‘s launch date is that it’s “coming 2022.” Because there’s no agency date, we really feel prefer it’s protected to rule out this title coming anytime within the first half, and extra doubtless even first three quarters, of the yr. If this sport manages to hit in 2022, we don’t see it arriving earlier than the autumn or winter months, which isn’t that too lengthy of a wait contemplating how near launch it might find yourself being from it being introduced.
What platforms is The DioField Chronicle on?
The trailer additionally ends with the platforms we will count on the sport to be on. Since it was revealed at a State of Play, clearly The DioField Chronicle shall be coming to PlayStation consoles, each PS4 and PS5, plus PC. What was left deliberately obscure, because of the trailer being proven at a Sony-hosted occasion, is that these are just a few of the platforms this sport shall be coming to. On the official web site, the platforms listed embrace PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch. So, if the trailer had you involved, there’s no want to fret. As lengthy as you will have a contemporary console or PC, you’re good to go when this sport comes out.
The DioField Chronicle trailer
The debut trailer wasn’t lengthy, however has rather a lot packed into it to take a look at.
We open on a map that appears like it could even be used through the gameplay as we hear some voiceovers. We don’t know what they’re speaking about, however see some cinematic motion of troopers assaulting a fortress, a naval battle, and what seems like a mage about to forged a spell.
We reduce to the map once more, this time stating completely different factions. We begin with the Trovelt-Schoevian Empire, which waged a conflict in opposition to the Rowetale Alliance, supposedly wreaking havoc on the land. A 3rd faction, the Kingdom of Alletain, apparently stayed out of this battle. However, it appears the Empire has lastly introduced the battle to this island nation. From right here we get a primary take a look at a number of the precise gameplay in motion, which we’ll dissect extra under.
According to the official web site, The DioField Chronicle will mix fashionable, fantasy, and medieval worlds collectively. The predominant cause for the battle coming to Alletain appears to be their abundance of Jade, which is a core ingredient in magic on this world. You will take management of a mercenary group known as Blue Fox. As far as who these characters are, what their personalities shall be, and anything in that regard, nothing has been shared.
The DioField Chronicle gameplay
We noticed simply scraps of gameplay for The DioField Chronicle, however greater than sufficient to get a good suggestion of what’s in retailer when the sport hits. The sport will happen in actual time, however you should have the choice to pause at any second to concern orders, making it considerably of a hybrid system. It isn’t grid-based, and items will all transfer directly, making timing your abilities and skills extra necessary.
Using a ability does appear to set off a pause, the place you possibly can manually goal and unleash your assault. Some of those talents appear to additionally set off flashy cinematic earlier than reducing again to the battlefield to point out the harm numbers and outcome. The similar is true for what seems to be a summon, the place the digicam dynamically whisks across the battlefield and up into the sky to trace the huge beast hurtling down.
Between particular person battles, there seems to be a strategy planning stage the place you make the most of a conflict desk to choose missions, and maybe do extra administration. On the desk proven we see the yr, maybe implying there shall be cut-off dates on some or all occasions and a recon mission. When highlighted, we see the identify, a great rank to take it on, some taste textual content, plus particular situations you possibly can attempt to full for extra rewards.
The solely different tidbit to be gleaned from the official web site is that you’ll “make smart use of a wide variety of skills, classes, and equipment to gain the upper hand.” These are all typical of the style, so not thrilling, however good to know they are going to be current.
Does The DioField Chronicle have multiplayer?
Tactics RPGs hardly ever have multiplayer modes, so we’re not holding our breath that The DioField Chronicle will both. Everything proven up to now concerning the sport appears centered on the single-player, story-driven expertise. That’s to not say its not possible, however with how the sport features as each real-time fight with the power to pause, they must do rather a lot to make it work in any form of multiplayer mode. Our take is to not plan on enjoying this one with buddies.
Will The DioField Chronicle have DLC?
If the world is as wealthy and deep as Square Enix implies, there’s numerous potential for DLC in The DioField Chronicle, however up to now, solely the sport itself is confirmed. If the sport solely takes place within the Kingdom of Alletain, or solely from their perspective, then shifting to different components of the world, and enjoying as both of the opposite two main factions, might simply be added as DLC campaigns. That’s all assuming it is smart from a narrative perspective, although, so for now, it’s all simply hypothesis.
The DioField Chronicle pre-order
While it expects us to play The DioField Chronicle someday this yr, Square Enix hasn’t nailed down a tough launch date simply but. It’s frequent for launch date bulletins to come back with pre-orders opening up, in order quickly as that information drops we’ll hold you knowledgeable on the place and how one can pre-order, in addition to particulars on any completely different editions that could be coming.
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