Square Enix’s The Adventures of Elliot Isn’t the Studio’s Take on Zelda, It’s Something Else Entirely

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The Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase concluded with two new trailer releases for upcoming Square Enix games. Although the announcement that Octopath Traveler 0 was in development was certainly pleasing, it was arguably the unveiling of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales that truly captured our attention. This action RPG employs the same HD-2D art style as the Octopath Traveler games and the recent Dragon Quest remakes. The demo for The Adventures of Elliot was released without announcement, sparking many comparisons to the classic Legend of Zelda series, but it seems to have resonated more with fans of the Ys action RPG series, which is often underappreciated.

Although Nihon Falcom’s Ys series has been around for as long or longer than some well-known and enduring RPG franchises, it has surprisingly remained quite obscure in the Western world. However, this has begun to shift in recent times as the 3D installments of the Ys series have garnered attention, setting the stage for the action RPG franchise to finally match the rising popularity of its turn-based counterparts, The Legend of Heroes/Trails games. With The Adventures of Elliot, Square Enix is entering a specific niche of action RPG genre that should delight longtime fans of the often-overlooked Ys series, and potentially attract new players as well.

The Adventures of Elliot Isn’t Shy About Its Ys Influence

It’s not surprising that some players might draw parallels between the game “The Adventures of Elliot” and “The Legend of Zelda,” considering the lesser-known status of “Ys” in the West. However, it’s important to note that “Ys” shares more similarities with “The Legend of Zelda” than “The Adventures of Elliot.” While both “Ys” and “The Legend of Zelda” share common elements, the former has traditionally focused more on intense combat and complex RPG mechanics compared to the atmospheric exploration, adventure, and puzzles that define the “Zelda” series. Consequently, “The Adventures of Elliot” leans more towards the style of “Ys” rather than the classic “Zelda.

Fans who have a deep understanding of Nihon Falcom’s Ys series, particularly the initial four installments, will undoubtedly recognize the influence of the Ys games in The Adventures of Elliot’s gameplay and atmosphere. Even the protagonist, Elliot, bears a resemblance to Adol, the famous hero from the Ys franchise. However, what most connects Square Enix’s upcoming action RPG to the top-tier Ys games is its straightforward yet intense combat style, which stands out among other elements such as puzzles or exploration.

Anyone Who Enjoyed the Demo for Adventures of Elliot Has Some Great Games to Tide Them Over

The decision by Team Asano to develop an action RPG for their next game is thrilling news for fans who love both “Bravely Default” and “Octopath Traveler”, as well as enthusiasts of the “Ys” series. While “Ys” has been around for a while, it’s not as widely recognized in the West as many of its peers. By drawing a clear connection between the classic “Ys” games and their upcoming project with Square Enix, Team Asano could attract players who might not have considered it otherwise. What makes this even better is that there’s no set release date for “The Adventures of Elliot” beyond 2026, so fans who played its demo on the Switch have plenty of other games to explore in the meantime.

Falcom Corporation has made significant strides in bringing classic games from their catalog, including both the Ys and Legend of Heroes series, to a wider audience. This means that almost every game in the Ys series can be played on Steam, while most modern games in the series, starting from Ys: Origin, are available on the PlayStation Store or Nintendo Switch. With the upcoming release of The Adventures of Elliot, there’s a strong possibility that the series could gain the recognition it has long deserved among its dedicated fan base.

This year, Japanese developer Nihon Falcom will launch a remake titled “Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter“, a revamped version of their initial “Trails” game. It serves as an excellent starting point for newcomers to dive into this captivating series.

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2025-08-07 00:18