JRPGs Armed Fantasia and Penny Blood revealed, from key creators of Wild Arms series and Shadow Hearts

Original (8/26): The key creators behind the Wild Arms series and Shadow Hearts series have just announced a “Double Kickstarter” campaign intended to bring Armed Fantasia and Penny Blood to life. These are two new, large scale JRPGs inspired by their previous games.

Armed Fantasia features a dramatic story about a group of Pathfinders and their trusted ARMs who embark on a perilous journey across an expansive Westernpunk world hurtling towards destruction. Akifumi Kaneko, creator of the Wild Arms series, will be in charge of lead game design and scenario writing. Tomomi Sasaki is handling character design. Lastly, music is planned to be made by Michiko Naruke, Noriyasu Uematsu and Elements Garden, also veterans of the Wild Arms series.

As for Penny Dark, it’ll have a dark and horrific tale set in the shadows of the turbulent 1920s, about an investigator who confronts the threat of evil during the height of international unrest. Shadow Hearts creator Matsuzo Machida is in charge of lead game design and scenario writing. Miyako Kato will be responsible for character design. Legendary composer Yoshitaka Hirota is providing music along with Akari Kaida, formerly of Capcom and now freelance.

Regarding the reason for a joint Kickstarter, “both teams will support each other’s projects, help establish new opportunities, and attempt to reach the largest number of fans possible.” Fans can choose to fund Penny Blood, Armed Fantasia, or both titles to receive rewards from a wide array of choices. The games will also share a new Combo Meter that will unlock new content for both games, which hasn’t been seen previously on Kickstarter.

Armed Fantastia

Armed Fantasia tells a dramatic story that unfolds in a world hurtling towards destruction. Players take the role of a group of Pathfinders and, with trusted ARMs in hand, embark on a perilous journey across a sprawling Westernpunk wilderness.

In a far flung corner of this world lies the land of Londenium, where a young man named Ingram loses his grandfather; the final tether binding him to his hometown. With no other reason to stay, and in hopes of reconnecting with his childhood friend, Ingram sets out on a new adventure as a Pathfinder, a branch of adventurers that utilize the powerful ARM (Aether Reaction Maximizer) weaponry to dispose of Anomalies that ravage the land.

Ingram’s journey will lead him to cross destinies with many a new friend and foe, and become embroiled in a monumental battle that’ll strike through Londenium’s past and its future.

Armed Fantasia allows players to experience the spirit of a large-scale party-based JRPG adventure – crossing the great expanse and using their wits to overcome any obstacle in their path.

Featuring a gigantic World Map, players will race, leap, solve puzzles, and feel the momentum of crossing the land, sea and air in high-speed vehicles as they explore and follow the story. The World Map of Armed Fantasia will be packed with things for players to do, rendered with a unique look not seen in other titles.

Dungeon exploration focuses on utilizing each party member’s unique Gadget. Players must switch between Gadgets to solve obstacles standing in their way, embracing the sense of victory when they finally open a particularly tricky path. Traps and treasures lie in wait across both the World Map and its dungeons, requiring both the characters’ skills and the player’s wits to solve and escape in one piece.

Battles in Armed Fantasia will be turn-based but maintain a quick tempo, based on the Cross Order Tactics system. Successive character actions play a key role in the Chain Order, and disruptive Force Breaks interrupt enemy turn order, creating engagements filled with tension and suspense that will push players to carefully consider their battle strategy.

“I was charmed by the fact that something like a Double Kickstarter could be a new option for game development, so I decided to lead a new team. But in order for us to pave our way forward, we need everyone’s support!” says lead game designer, Akifumi Kaneko.

With a team of veteran creators from the Wild Arms series, Armed Fantasia aims for an expansive Westernpunk RPG experience with a modern look… and whistling!

Penny Blood

Penny Blood presents a world twisted in gothic horror and nightmarish imagery rarely seen in JRPGs. In Penny Blood, players follow the story of Matthew, an investigator who embarks on a dark international probe through the iconic Roaring Twenties, amassing allies and confronting trauma in a world twisted by cosmic horror, malice and mayhem.

Players will circumnavigate the globe, from the USA to Europe and Asia, and explore nations either recovering or basking in the wake of one of history’s bloodiest conflicts, oblivious to the turmoil that brews beneath the surface.

Penny Blood’s story begins with Matthew Farrell, a lone wolf private detective in New York working for the Bureau of Investigation. Despite hating the accursed powers he inherited from his father, he utilizes his fusion transformation abilities to hunt down monsters at the behest of the Bureau.

One day, Matthew is tasked with investigating a strange incident that occurred at a mental asylum in New York. After rushing to the asylum, he finds it teeming with grotesque, rampaging creatures. Utilizing his hidden power, Matthew manages to achieve a narrow victory.

In order to unearth the truth behind the bizarre incident, Matthew’s investigation will take him from America to the distant continent of Asia, including Japan and China, as well as to the far corners of Europe. Along the way, he will encounter those who fight for vengeance, those who seek to utilize the aberrant horrors for their own gain, and those who simply wish to destroy. Penny Blood tells the tale of a man who must become that which he seeks to vanquish.

Penny Blood’s overworld maps give a bird’s-eye view of cityscapes and towns that will teleport players to the 1920s, where they will experience the world as it was, unaware of the gruesome events soon to unfold.

From busy streets to haunting sanitariums, players will delve into carefully detailed field maps as they purchase items paramount to their quest, investigate supernatural happenings, and battle stygian monstrosities.

The easy to learn, difficult to master Psycho Sigil battle system combines traditional turn-based JRPG strategy with twitch-trigger reaction time in order to maximize the potential of attacks, keeping players on their toes with every encounter. Players can embrace the darkness within by using Fusion to call upon the abyss and fight fire with fire, harnessing the power of the darkness to hurl demons back from whence they came.

Interactions with the demonic will affect the heroes’ Sanity Points. If players lose too many Sanity Points, their allies will succumb to madness, gaining strength and losing composure. However, that boost in power might be just what is needed to turn the tide in battle.

Returning to the helm as composer is Hirota Yoshitaka (of Shadows Hearts and Shadow Hearts: Covenant fame) to inject a sense of dread and eerie unease befitting of the atmosphere. And accompanying him is Akari Kaida of Breath of Fire 3, infusing a heavy dose of jazz into the Roaring Twenties setting.

“This is my second chance. Chances to make another game like this are rare, so please give me your support,” says lead game designer, Matsuzo Machida.

With direction from Matsuzo Machida, character design by Miyako Kato and music and sound composed by Yoshitaka Hirota and Akari Kaida, Penny Blood promises to sink its claws into players as it revives the darker side of Japanese RPGs.

The “Double Kickstarter” campaign for Armed Fantastia and Penny Blood will begin on August 29, 2022 here with a minimum funding goal of $750,000. We’re told that a very early stretch goal will feature a version for Nintendo’s latest hardware at time of release – be it Switch or its successor.

Update (8/29): Post updated with trailers for both games. Additionally, the Kickstarter is now live.