Tokyo RPG Factory's next project, Oninaki, has legendary director Takashi Tokita joining the team for the action RPG outing. Tokita is best known for directing the timeless Chrono Trigger, as well as Parasite Eve and Live A Live. This information comes from the next issue of Weekly Famitsu, which was disseminated by Gematsu. Additionally, Hirotaka Inaba, scenario writer for Lost Sphear and I Am Setsuna is returning once more to write the story for Oninaki. With the next issue of Weekly Famitsu set to release soon, we could know more information about Oninaki before long. No release date is currently set, but a summer launch window is planned.
According to the game's official website, Oninaki is the story of life, death, and reincarnation. After death, spirits are expected to cast off the shackles of their previous life, and begin anew. Still, some spirits are held back, either by their emotions or regret. Such spirits are called The Lost. Their living counterparts are The Watchers, guardians of humanity who guide spirits into the afterlife and beyond. Known for their rigor and appreciation of life, Oninaki is the story of one such Watcher.
Initially revealed during the most recent Nintendo Direct, Square Enix and Tokyo RPG Factory are hoping to build off of an already strong RPG foundation. Note that even though the reveal occurred during the Nintendo Direct, Oninaki is slated to come to PC and PS4 as well. While Lost Sphear and I Am Setsuna had flashes of brilliance, they were ultimately held back their reverence for the classics. Instead, Oninaki looks to provide something new. By moving away from turn-based combat into something more active, as well as vastly improving the visuals and audio, Tokyo RPG Factory may well have found the missing piece to their JRPG revival. We'll see just how well Oninaki shapes up when it hopefully releases this summer.
