Unveiling Eternights: A Revolutionary Real-Time Battle System with Captivating Persona Influences

Eternights, an action RPG and dating sim developed and published by Studio Sai, is an upcoming indie game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. Players will embark on dungeon exploration, scavenge for supplies, and form closer bonds with their friends and potential love interests. In an exciting announcement last Wednesday, Studio Sai revealed that the digital release of the game will be on September 12, available for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Furthermore, a physical release is planned for the holiday season.

Jae Yoo, the creative director of Studio Sai and lead developer of Eternights, recently discussed the game's distinctive combat system, love interests, and its connection to the beloved Persona series, which served as inspiration for the project. Fans eagerly anticipating the release of Persona 3 Reload or Persona 5 Tactica, as well as those seeking a more action-focused approach to JRPG combat, should eagerly anticipate the imminent arrival of Eternights.

Persona's Impact on Eternights

The Persona series, particularly the three most recent titles, served as the primary inspiration for Yoo when structuring Eternights. The game's various systems are centered around time management, specifically how players allocate their time between saving the world and nurturing their relationships.

"Persona 3 had a significant impact on me when starting this project, as I was highly impressed by the game's character-focused narrative. Additionally, after experiencing Persona 5, I was thoroughly impressed by the director's ability to seamlessly merge storytelling and gameplay."

Yoo believes that Persona 3 is the best out of all the Persona titles, considering its post-apocalyptic theme in Eternights. While Persona 4 and 5 also have world-changing storylines, their narratives mainly revolve around social commentary on celebrity culture, the media, and the unpredictable nature of fame. On the other hand, the upcoming remake of Persona 3 focuses more on sci-fi elements and the stakes of an impending apocalypse.

Besides the combat system, the most significant difference between Eternights and its main inspiration—the Persona series—is the apocalyptic setting. Interestingly, the Persona series originally spun off from Atlus' Shin Megami Tensei franchise, which frequently incorporates post-apocalyptic themes in its stories. Thus, Eternights' narrative serves as a middle ground between the SMT and Persona titles thematically. Yoo also mentions that the apocalyptic setting in the game allows for more character interaction, as their availability is not limited to the limited hours between school days.

Eternights' Combat is All Action, All the Time

Eternights sets itself apart from other dating sims and JRPGs by incorporating a real-time battle system. This creates a unique blend reminiscent of Scarlet Nexus, where relationships intertwine with intense third-person action. Yoo believed that active combat would provide a more thrilling experience compared to turn-based gameplay, as it added a sense of urgency and unpredictability to the apocalyptic setting. The decision to have everything unfold in real-time allowed for unexpected events to occur at any given moment.

Yoo aims to enhance player engagement by introducing unexpected enemy encounters during dungeon exploration or scavenging, providing a truly immersive and realistic experience within his world. The ability for players to personally connect with the game's main characters is a key focus for Yoo, not only in terms of combat immersion, but also in the fundamental storyline.

The player's motivation to build specific relationships in the dating sim genre is both personal and intrinsic, stemming from the loveable and relatable characters. However, these relationships also impact the player character's effectiveness in combat. In Eternights, the main character's power increases through deepening friendships and romances with their charming confidants. Instead of forming stronger demonic alliances, players will unlock new support skills.

There is no exact count of available skills, but each character possesses a unique set of passive and active support abilities, as well as an "ultimate skill" that can be accessed at higher bond levels. Combined with the player character's customizable elemental combos and active abilities, this ensures that Eternights offers a diverse range of combat options for players to refine their fighting style.

Eternights releases for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on September 12.