Disgaea dev launches Kickstarter for smartphone strategy RPG Soul Knights
PC and console version stretch goals included.
Plantago Games, in partnership with Awesome Japan, have launched a Kickstarter campaign for Soul Knights, a new Japanese strategy RPG for smartphones, and potentially consoles and PC, from a team of developers that worked on Disgaea, Final Fantasy, Z.H.P., Summon Night, Shakugan no Shana, and The Guided Fate Paradox.
Said developers include:
- Toshihiko Kojima (Director and Art Director) – Worked as a game development manager at Nippon Ichi Software and has been making console games for nearly 10 years. His works include Disgaea 1 through 4, Z.H.P., and The Guided Fate Paradox.
- Hayato Kose (Technical Direcor) – Worked in research and development as a 3D rendering programmer at Square Enix for almost six years. His works include Final Fantasy XIII and XIV.
- Teruhiko Imaizumi (Illustrator) – Known as the character designer on Nippon Ichi Software’s Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS Darkdeath Evilman and Jigsaw World: Daigekitou! Jig-Battle Heroes.
- Yusuke Matsuda (Illustrator) – Known for his work on Bandai Namco‘s Summon Night series and Alpha Unit’s Foto Showdown.
- Noizi Ito (Illustrator) – Known for her design on many games, anime, and books, including The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Sakugan no Shana, and Nippon Ichi Software’s The Guided Fate Paradox.
- Lemm (Sound Creator) – He produces original songs using Vocaloid and has participated in creating the score for several games including Nippon Ichi Software’s Battle Princess of Arcadias and Sega‘s 7th Dragon 2020 II.
Soul Knights uses a four-by-three grid turn-based battle system, with each unit performing actions automatically. During each turn, the player can choose to change formation and relocate units to the front, middle, or back rows, each respectively suited to short-range, long-range, and healing actions.
Character classes include the Soldier, Wizard, Shield Knight, Healer, and Archer. Each possesses different strengths and weaknesses, but depending on how they’re lined up, you could supplement their weaknesses and enhance their attacks.
Players will move around a map to encounter enemies, and after a specific amount of time, a boss will appear. Defeating it unlocks the next area. Enemy bases, shops, and hidden items will also be available on the map.
Both co-op play and player-versus-player modes are planned for up to four players.
Plantago Games is seeking $60,000 to fund development. A beta test is planned for January 2015, with the release of version 1.0 planned for a month later.
Stretch goals include PC and console versions, as well as other additions:
- $80,000 – Ninja and Samurai classes
- $100,000 – Extra stage
- $120,000 – Raid system for up to 16 players
- $140,000 – Holy Knight and Black Knight classes
- $160,000 – Character voices
- $180,000 – Guild system
- $200,000 – Extra stage, characters, enemies, and BGM
- $250,000 – PC version
- $350,000 – Special opening by famous production company
- $500,000 – Console versions (PS4, PS Vita, etc.)
You can fund the game here. Watch the pitch video below.