The Xbox Showcase livestream as part of Tokyo Game Show 2024 revealed a new turn-based RPG by indie devs Riyo Games called Threads Of Time.
Inspired by RPG classics like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy, Threads Of Time is a Japanese-style RPG (but not made in Japan- the devs are based in Canada), featuring turn-based combat and an era-spanning story where your ability to bend time can remake the world.
Threads Of Time is powered by Unreal Engine 5, but it’s using 2.5D pixel art to be faithful to the classic RPGs it is inspired from. The world itself is 3D, the camera can rotate- almost like Square Enix’s HD-2D art style. The adventures to restore the order of the Time Knights will see you go from the time when dinosaurs roam the earth to the time when mechanical robots are part of society.
There will be anime cutscenes in the game, but will they all have that stylish transition between animated art to pixel like in the trailer remains to be seen.
Notable RPGs made outside Japan that proudly wear their JRPG inspiration includes last year’s Sea Of Stars and the upcoming Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. You can add Threads Of Time into that list.
Threads Of Time has no release date yet, but it’s coming to PC, Xbox as well as other consoles.