Arc System Works Announces Tactical RPG Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow

Arc System Works has announced Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow, a game they describe as a tactical counter-timeline RPG. The game is set to launch on September 24 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC through both Steam and the Epic Games Store.

The story is set in a ruined Tokyo where reality itself is breaking down. Strange creatures called Aberrations roam the collapsed city, and a young delivery boy named Souma Hoshigami ends up in a dangerous in-between state after being attacked by one, becoming what the game calls “Half-turned,” a fusion of man and monster. He is then taken in by Rena Hizuki, an investigator from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Safety Mutation Response Division. Players take control of both Rena and Souma as they dig into the chaos gripping the city, chasing down a dangerous substance called “Tiny True,” investigating cursed body-carved glyphs known as “Stigmas” that are spreading among the youth, and exposing a mysterious cult working from the shadows.

Combat in the game is built around what the developers call the Timeline Innovation system. It uses a timeline-driven gauge that shows players the exact timing and type of incoming enemy attacks, letting them plan out their own moves, interrupt enemy actions, and take control of fights with precision. Players can slow down or pause the action at any time to plan their strategy, check cooldowns, and line up counters. As players get more familiar with the mechanics, the game’s pace is said to pick up and become more action-heavy, giving players the option to either play it cool and calculated or go in with an aggressive approach.

On the presentation side, the game features full voice acting, a cel-shaded art style with custom visual effects built specifically for the Aberrations, and a soundtrack that includes an opening theme and multiple in-game songs.

Players who purchase the game early will receive bonus skins for Rena and Souma, along with access to an extra battle called Voidfall, which is planned to be sold separately at a later date.