Of game franchises with cult followings, Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei series has one of the most passionate. It's no surprise then that fans have maintained that excitement for a new studio formed by ex-Shin Megami Tensei developers. That studio, Lancarse, is now ready to unveil its new RPG fully. Introducing Monark, an RPG coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Monark is tentatively planned to launch in Japan on October 14, with no localization confirmed yet.
Those hoping that Lancarse would build off the team's Shin Megami Tensi experience are certain to be pleased. Monark is a school RPG, with players taking on the role a member of the True Student Council's deputy head. This isn't a typical school council, however. Its purpose is to deal with supernatural complications, of which the protagonist takes direct responsibility over. Needless to say, that's likely just an extremely simplified description of what Monark players will be getting themselves into.
Monark will have a fittingly complex depth to its gameplay. To start, it features a complex story filled with multiple different routes for players to experience in multiple playthroughs. These routes start with the protagonist choosing one of four different companion characters, and branches out from there. The main story fittingly has multiple different endings. Monark will also take pity on players, allowing them to skip routes they've already experienced in order to try new ones.
Combat in Monark remains to be further explained. Screenshots show parties of up to six units, made up of the protagonist, their companion, and four minions. It's described as command-based action, which could mean either turn-based or active combat. However, there's also free movement, meaning it isn't grid-based. Players will send their units into open environments to take on multiple enemies at once. The inspiration from Shin Megami Tensei is there, but Monark is definitely something new.
While there's a lot of attention on Monark due to the involvement of many Shin Megami Tensei veterans, there's another game and developer worth bringing to attention. Fuyuki Hayashi is one of Monark's producers and directors, but also a lead on Monark's scenario writing. Hayashi's only previous project is a game named Crystar, which appears to have some notable similarities to Monark, including free-roam combat with command actions.
Shin Megami Tensei fans will be able to get a closer look at Monark so that they can make judgments for themselves very soon. A reveal trailer for Monark is expected to be released on June 10 around noon PT. It bears repeating, however, that localization for Monark may put the game into 2022 or later for western audiences.
Monark releases October 14 in Japan for PS4, PS5, and Switch.
Source: Famitsu (via Gematsu)
