Eternightsis a forthcoming action RPG and dating sim from developer/publisher Studio Sai. Theindie gameis set in a post-apocalyptic world where players must explore dungeons, scavenge the world for supplies, and grow closer to their friends and potential love interests. Last Wednesday, Studio Sai announced that the title’s digital launch date was moving up to September 12, for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, in addition to receiving a physical release over the holidays.
Jae Yoo, the creative director of Studio Sai and lead developer ofEternights,recentlyspoke to Game Rant about the game’s unique combat system, love interests, and similarities to thePersonaseries which helped inspire the project.Personafanseagerly awaitingthe release ofPersona 3 Reload, as well asPerson 5 Tactica, orhoping for a more action-oriented approach to JRPG combat should keep an eye out forEternights' fast approaching arrival.
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Persona’s Impact on Eternights
ThePersonaseries, specifically the most recent three titles, provided Yoo with the essential blueprint forEternights’structure. All the other systems in the game revolve around time management—specifically how players budget their time between their world-saving responsibilities and their budding relationships.
“Persona 3is the one that gave me a good influence for beginning this project, because I was really impressed by the character-driven story in a game medium. And after playingPersona 5, I felt the director of the modernPersonaseries did a really amazing job of getting a character-driven story in gameplay format.”
Of all thePersonatitles, Yoo stated thatPersona 3was his favorite, which makes sense given the post apocalyptic stakes ofEternights.WhilePersona 4and 5’s stories both boast world-altering climaxes, the broader arcs of their narratives focus on social commentary relating to celebrity culture, the media, and the fickle nature of popularity. In contrast,the soon-to-be-remade-Persona 3features more pronounced sci-fi elements and apocalyptic stakes.
Apart from the combat system, this apocalyptic setting is the most prominent differentiator betweenEternightsand its greatest influence—thePersonafranchise. Ironically, thePersonafranchise was originallya spin-off from Atlus’Shin Megami Tenseiseries, whose installments frequently employ post-apocalyptic elements in their narratives. In a certain sense,Eternights’narrative could be considered the thematicmiddle-ground betweenSMTandPersonatitles. And Yoo states the game’s apocalyptic setting allows for more interaction between characters, since their availability isn’t limited to the narrow hours between school days.
Eternights' Combat is All Action, All the Time
Unlike most combination dating sims and JRPGs,Eternightsfeatures a real-time battle system, resulting in a mix that is similar toScarlet Nexus’blend of relationships and 3rd-person action. Ultimately, Yoo felt that active combat offered a more exciting experience than turn-based experiences:
“I had a debate on turn-based versus action at the very early stages of the game. This was mainly to emphasize the thrill of the apocalypse. I wanted everything to happen in real-time, so anything can happen at any time.”
Yoo hopes the surprising nature of encountering enemies mid-dungeon or while scavenging will allow players to fully and realistically enjoy his world. The player’s ability to project themselves upon the game’s main characters appears to be an important priority for Yoo, not only for the sake of immersive combat, but in the core narrative as well.
The player’s primary motive for advancing specific relationships is both personal and intrinsic—the draw ofthe dating sim genre are loveable and relatable characters. But that is not to say relationships have no effect on the player character’s efficacy in combat.Eternights' main character powers up by reaching new heights of friendship—and romance—with their charming confidants. Rather than forging more powerful demonic pacts, however, players will unlock new support skills.
Yoo doesn’t have an estimate of how many skills are available in total, but each character unlocks a unique set of passives, active support abilities, and a game-changing “ultimate skill” that is unlocked at deeper bond levels. This, paired with the player character’s own customizable elemental combos and active abilities, ensures thatEternightshasa healthy variety of combat optionsfor players to fine tune their fighting-style.
Eternightsreleases for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on September 12.
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