Eternal Anima, the time-twisting RPG that debuted during a September Nintendo Direct, presents a unique premise and gameplay mechanics that defy its initial Square Enix HD-2D comparisons. Despite a splash screen that suggests otherwise, the game encourages players to "strive for a better tomorrow," a sentiment the preview experience reinforced.
The game is set in Urvis Ael, the last bastion of civilization in a world ravaged by floods. Players control Wade, a protagonist who questions the status quo and embarks on an adventure fueled by the belief that a better existence is possible. Wade possesses the power of Psychometry, allowing him to access the past, witness memories, and acquire new abilities and classes for combat.
Combat in Eternal Anima is a distinct turn-based system with a time-manipulation twist. Wade's "Future Sight" ability reveals every enemy's planned action for the turn, displayed on a UI timeline. Each ability has an associated action speed, indicating its position on this timeline. Players can see enemy actions, targets, and the likely outcomes, enabling strategic planning.
The combat emphasizes smart engagement over brute force. By exploiting enemy weaknesses with Wade or other party members, players can push back their actions on the timeline. The objective is to defeat enemies before they can attack or, for larger foes, to achieve a "Break" by knocking them off the timeline entirely. This cancels their turn and grants the player party an additional offensive phase.
This battle system offers a detached, almost god-like perspective, allowing players to orchestrate actions and then observe the unfolding consequences. It moves away from the active feel of traditional turn-based combat, instead fostering a sense of strategic mastery.
Visually, Eternal Anima boasts a unique, bokeh-enhanced art style that distinguishes it from its initial HD-2D impressions. The world and enemy designs are a highlight, though the chibi rendering of characters clashes with the game's painterly aesthetic and mature thematic elements.
Exploration involves navigating diorama-like settings placed on a world map. Players can engage in fishing minigames, collect items, battle enemies, and interact with NPCs from the past. Discovering objects, such as a glowing sword, triggers animated flashbacks that reveal character stories and may yield rewards, like a bow from a past encounter.
The narrative allows Wade to influence past events, potentially altering the present. In one scenario, Wade encounters an individual attempting to save their flooded hometown centuries before his time. Wade's suspicion that changing the past can affect the present forms a core part of the game's potential.
After a hands-on preview, Eternal Anima's combat system remains a standout element. It transforms turn-based battles into a cerebral puzzle, making players feel like strategists rather than just powerful warriors. The game is slated for release on March 4, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, published by XSEED Games and Marvelous Games.