Today Sega hosted an extensive livestream about 404 Game Re:Set, the new mobile JRPG with NieR creator Yoko Taro at the helm.
First of all, we learn that the game will launch in Japan on April 25 for iOS and Android. An additional "Prologue" app will release tomorrow, April 17, telling a prequel story.
We also got the announcement of plenty of new characters that will appear in the game in addition to the ones we already were aware of (After Burner, Virtua Fighter, Fantasy Zone, Out Run, and Virtua Cop). For those who missed previous reveals, the characters of the game are waifu versions of popular games of the past.
From Sega, we get to meet Pengo, Hang-On, Space Harrier, Thunder Blade, Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Columns, Virtua Racing, Fighting Vipers, Die Hard Arcade, The House of the Dead, and Crazy Taxi. We also get to meet the navigator character Ribbon and the Cathode and Anode forms for Hang-On and Columns.
Yet, Sega had more surprises in store, in the form of game waifus from other developers. Bandai Namco will provide Xevious, Dig Dug, and Mappy, all from Namco's classic lineup. Taito will add Arkanoid, Kiki Kaikai, and Darius. Last, but not least, Capcom and SNK will also have their own characters, but they're still under wraps.
Below you can watch the whole livestream. It also showcases gameplay and footage. Specifically, you can enjoy a trailer, a look at the interaction with the characters, the first look at actual gameplay, character progression and customization, and a presentation of the designs by art director Yoshihiko Suzuki.
If you're unfamiliar with 404 Game Re:Set, also known as Error Game Reset, it's an upcoming mobile JRPG born of a partnership between Sega and Yoko Taro recently announced after a mysterious tease portraying a dystopian version of the world.
It's for iOS and Android and free-to-play, which means that it also comes with the inevitable gacha. At the moment, a western release for this game has not been announced. We'll have to wait and see if Sega decides to bring it over down the line.