Japanese studio Gianty’s open-world action RPG Goken now available on Steam Early Access

Japanese studio Gianty, known for smartphone games Ayakashi Hyakki Yagyou Kiwami and Monster Drive Revolution, has released Goken, its May-announced open-world action RPG for PC, on Steam Early Access for $14.99.

Here’s an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

■ Game Description

About

Goken seeks to bring back everything that was right about gaming in an action packed open world environment in the form of the good old action RPG genre and have the old school gamers tremble in nostalgia.

Story

Long ago, when gods lived amongst people…

There lived a swordsman who was given five swords forged by god himself.

Using these swords, the swordsman brought peace and order to the world.

People called the swordsman, “Wielder of the Five Swords”…

One day, during a fete to praise the gods, the blades of the swordsman turn against the gods for reasons unknown.

One of the gods, Ozone, furious with all his powers, sealed the swordsman away at the top of a mountain now known as Swords Peak.

This tale begins 5,000 years after the battle between the two, near the small village of Cardina.

Key Features

• Seamless open-world game mechanics – While the game features a rather old school “quarter view” mechanic, the map transitions and event scenes, even the combat is all seamless as can be to enhance the overall gaming experience.
• Real time strategic action battle system – Utilizing 2 primary attack buttons, users can assign different weapons to each button to create a unique combo that fits the users need as they go. Monsters, bosses and stage gimmicks can require a specific type of weapon at times creating opportunities for users to strategize their best route of approach.
• Customizable Tattoo system – Utilizing “tattoos”, users are given specific points upon leveling to get the protagonist inked as a form of powering up so it could be built to one’s own. Raising MAX HP and Stamina, learning new and special moves are just a few of many ways players are able to customize their character depending on their play style.

■ Early Access Q&A

Why Early Access?

Goken is an action RPG project aiming to do JRPG‘s right in an old fashioned manner by the book. Inspired by many notorious titles from the “golden age of gaming,” Goken seeks to fulfill a genre that seems to be lost over the years. But we believe that this experience can only be revived correctly with the help of actual gamers from back in the days and would like to craft Goken into a form we all desire.

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

While we do have a planned set frame of about two months, we are willing to extend this time period as long as we feel that the requirements of gamers are not met.

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

In addition to working out obvious bugs and everything that is currently available in-game, we plan on the full version to have the following features:

• Implementation of Steamworks
• Addition of an island dedicated specifically for users to mod
• Improvement on character customization, specifically the “Tattoo System 2.0”
• Replayable Colosseum mode
• Additional side quests
• Additional dungeons

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

Upon initial release on early access, players can expect Goken to have the following features:

• Full story driven old-school action RPG (playable to the end!)
• Dual weapon wielding with kick butt animations
• Seamless and large open world for users to experience
• Fantasy world drawn in beautiful 2D artwork with 3D characters
• Very unique and catchy scores to accompany the world
• Character customization “Tattoo System” that allows players to create unique builds
• Weapon upgrade system through materials to loot

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

Goken plans to provide users with a discounted price point of $14.99 USD as a thank you for supporting the game at its early stage. Once the game is reaches its full state, Goken is planned to be released at $19.99 USD.

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

Gianty is opened to any ideas of improvements users may have and are willing to make Goken the game the Steam community truly desires. We want to make development of Goken as transparent and interactive as possible so feel free to drop off any ideas in the Steam community forums, or visit us on our website, Facebook page, or Twitter.

Watch a set of trailers below.

Trailer #1

Trailer #2