Arika’s “Mysterious Fighting Game” titled Fighting EX Layer, beta begins December 11

The official title for Arika‘s “Mysterious Fighting Game” for PlayStation 4 is Fighting EX Layer, the company announced.

The beta test will begin on December 11 and run for two weeks. Six characters will be playable: Kairi, Garuda, Skullomania, Darun Mister, Allen Snider, and Shirase.

Before the beta, a playable demo of Fighting EX Layer will also be available at PlayStation Experience 2017 from December 9 to 10.

Over at the PlayStation Blog, Arika’s Akira Nishitani shared more information about the game’s Gougi system:

About the Gougi system that everyone is curious about: it’s grown into a very deep and exciting addition to the game. When the idea first came about, I brainstormed various Gougi, which combinations would work well, and what the matches would be like. Trying to imagine all of the possibilities, I got a feeling that “This game is going to be interesting!”

But after experimenting with my Gougi ideas, I often ended up saying “This is not what I imagined.” But that’s where the fun lies! Coming up with new ideas and experimenting in game was awesome. I believe not many games allow you to so easily brainstorm ideas and then test them out in-game; please try it!

There a few things I wanted to accomplish with the Gougi system:

“I want to change the flow of matches.”

For example, in most other fighting games, aside from times where you think, “I can win in one more combo,” “I can win if I chip him out,” and “I’m in the corner,” your battle strategy doesn’t really change that much, right? I wanted to change this on a system level and make a game where matches get crazier and more exciting as they go on.

“I want players to have different ways to play depending on their Gougi.”

This goes without saying! I’m sure there will be some Gougi that work well with other Gougi, and some that suit certain characters better than others.

“I want to continue adding Gougi and change the game environment.”

This is still just an idea, but I’d like to add new Gougi at certain fixed intervals, which would in turn create the feeling of a new game. Even by adding just a single Gougi, I think you would be surprised by how much the characters can change. Although as a developer, I’m quite worried about whether or not something crazy will occur!

Frankly speaking, the Gougi system is extreme! Please enjoy it, and go into battle thinking “What kind of crazy thing can I do to my opponent this time?”

Fighting EX Layer is due out worldwide for PlayStation 4 in 2018.

Watch a new trailer below.