New Game Takes Big Inspiration from Skies of Arcadia

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New Game Takes Big Inspiration from Skies of Arcadia

Highlights

  • Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire pays tribute to classic JRPGs, especially Skies of Arcadia, featuring aerial exploration and sky pirates.
  • The game, set for release on October 10, offers turn-based combat using customized airships instead of direct hand-to-hand battles.
  • Developed by Octeto Studios, fans of JRPG-inspired games like Sea of Stars and Clair Obscur can look forward to another homage to the genre.

As a lifelong fan of JRPGs and someone who spent countless hours exploring the vast skies of Arcadia in Skies of Arcadia back in the day, I can’t help but feel a rush of nostalgic excitement upon hearing about Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire. The teaser trailers and gameplay details revealed so far have done an excellent job of capturing that classic JRPG magic, and I can’t wait to get my hands on this new adventure when it launches on October 10.

PQube has officially revealed the launch date for “Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire,” a JRPG that draws inspiration from timeless games, particularly “Skies of Arcadia.” Originally developed by Sega in 2000 for the Dreamcast, “Skies of Arcadia” allowed players to assume the role of a young sky pirate venturing across floating islands. The first glimpse of “Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire” was given in 2023 when PQube released a teaser announcement, with additional gameplay details unveiled during the Guerrilla Collective 2024 Livestream.

As a devoted fan, it’s clear that the game “Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire” proudly showcases its love for classic JRPGs right from the get-go. In all its trailers, PQube emphasizes that this title is a tribute to these timeless RPGs, and it doesn’t take long for fans to spot “Skies of Arcadia” as one of its main influences. Both games share a common setting that revolves around aerial exploration, filled with thrilling dogfights, an eclectic band of sky pirates, and endless discovery. For years now, the community has been eagerly waiting for a remastered version of “Skies of Arcadia,” but despite persistent whispers, no official confirmation has been made yet.

Currently, enthusiasts reminiscing about the classic game “Skies of Arcadia” can look forward to playing “Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire”, as its release date was announced in a recent trailer. This RPG is scheduled to debut on October 10 across various platforms including Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. In “Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire”, players assume the role of sky pirate Glenn Windwalker, embarking on a journey to assemble a trustworthy crew.

Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire Release Date

  • Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire will launch on October 10 for Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and Nintendo Switch.

In “Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire”, players won’t find traditional character-vs-character fights like in other games inspired by Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPGs). Instead, the action takes place on airships. Players can enhance their fleet with various components such as frames, armor, engines, weapons, and instruments to boost their fighting capabilities. Yet, it’s not just about the ships – each crew member also matters. They have individual levels, relationships with others, and even favorite foods that grant temporary advantages when eaten.

Octeto Studios is the team responsible for creating the game “Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire,” which continues their tradition of crafting JRPG-style games. Last year, Sabotage Studio, a Canadian studio, released “Sea of Stars,” an RPG that drew inspiration from classic JRPGs like “Super Mario RPG” and “Chrono Trigger.” This year, Sandfall Interactive, a French studio, unveiled “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,” which takes inspiration from games such as “Final Fantasy,” the “Tales of” series, “Lost Odyssey,” and “Persona.” Whether or not “Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire” will live up to the legacy of “Skies of Arcadia” remains to be seen; some believe it may just be leveraging that inspiration as a promotional tool.

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2024-08-19 21:35