Vanillaware is a developer that despite releasing many games critically acclaimed games like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Odin Sphere, and Muramasa: The Demon Blade, has yet to release a big commercial hit. The studio, which has been developing games for 20 years now, produced many beloved titles during the PlayStation 2 era that have since gone on to receive cult followings, resulting in remasters like 2016's Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir. The latest Vanillaware game to receive this treatment is the PS2 real-time strategy game GrimGrimoire, which will be coming to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch later this year.
GrimGrimoire was first released on the PlayStation 2 in 2007, the same year as one of the studio's more popular titles, Odin Sphere. The game was published in Japan and North America by Nippon Ichi Software (NIS), and Europe by Koei (now known as Koei Tecmo). The game is a real-time strategy JRPG which director George Kimitani specifically credited Starcraft as the main inspiration for. It follows a young witch named Lillet Blain who is trapped in a repeating five-day cycle in which her school is invaded by an army led by a wizard seeking the Philosopher's Stone. The player commands an army of units known as familiars to defend multiple magic schools throughout the world.
The remaster, which was announced in the latest issue of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, is set to be titled GrimGrimoire OnceMore. The remaster is once again being published by NIS and will be released in Japan on July 28, 2022. North American and European releases are not yet confirmed, however, they are likely to arrive later this year. The remaster will apparently include new a voice cast, HD and widescreen visuals, and new quality of life gameplay improvements including a fast-forward function and a skill tree.
GrimGrimoire is an interesting game in Vanillaware's back catalog as it represents the foundation for many of the ideas that would come to be utilized in the developer's later games, namely the turn-based strategy gameplay found in 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, which just recently made its way to Nintendo Switch. The game also introduced the world to Vanillaware's now iconic 2D hand-drawn visual style that has defined all of the developer's titles visually since and sets it apart in the AAA Japanese game development scene.
Given that this year marks the 20th anniversary of Vanillaware as a developer and this week GrimGrimore celebrates its 15th anniversary, it seems like the perfect title for Vanillaware to remaster to celebrate its history.
GrimGrimoire OnceMore will release on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in Japan on July 28, 2022.
