Ex Astris: A story about a hero’s journey (and the friends they make along the way)

IGN Japan has released a short interview from the concluded Tokyo Game Show 2021 event, regarding Ex Astris. Since the game’s initial reveal, there hasn’t really been news on the title, understandable when the development team has been clear on it being only in the prototyping phase. Nonetheless, there can be some interesting things to learn. At TGS 2021 itself, there were no playable builds besides the demo showcase videos.

The price has yet to be decided, but Hypergryph had apparently decided on a paid title due to the belief of growing demand. From the demo videos, it can give the impression of the game isn’t just “meant” for mobile, with the sense of scale and its direction hardly unusual for a console or PC title. There’s no confirmation if it will be available on other platforms, though it seems that Hypergryph will prioritize mobile development.

At present, the turn-based combat has elements of real-time action games, in parries and counters. Exploration also seems to be a key component in the game. Only the basic combat system is in place at the current stage, with other systems such as levelling are being worked on, so the exact “variety” of gameplay can’t be confirmed. There are plans to include features such as cooking, alchemy and other subsystems, so we’ll have to wait how that turns out.

Calling it a “hero’s journey”, the protagonist is a researcher from Earth who will travel this alien planet with the friends they meet along the way. The clothing design is meant to express a certain measure of the setting, incorporating the character’s individuality while also having fashion to match. It seems that the alien language is based off our real world’s language – possibly even dead languages – in a fusion with geometric and fractal shapes for the murals you may find. Seamless transitions between battle and exploration is being looked at, besides also making combat smoother.

Of course, many people would associate likely associate Hypergryph with Arknights. Ex Astris is being developed by NOUS WAVE STUDIO, a newly established branch under the company and hence, a different team from the tower defense game.

In any case, stay tuned for more information on Ex Astris; it’ll be out when it’s out.

via IGN Japan