Multiple Bandai Namco RPGs Leak Ahead of E3 - Tales of Arise, Elden Ring, and Ni no Kuni Remastered
E3 2019 starts very soon, with streams starting tomorrow... but that won't stop the leaks from coming! Three of Bandai Namco's titles have been prematurely revealed, and while there's little information on them at this time, we can expect to see more in the upcoming days.
These leaks were found through a public URL that accidentally exposed the game pages on the publisher's website. Since the leaks were revealed, these websites have since gone private, but the information is still circulating around the internet, such as on the Resetera forums [1, 2, 3].
Tales of Arise (PS4, XB1, PC)
First up, we have Tales of Arise, the newest title of the long-running Tales of series. A couple of screenshots of the game have been leaked, as well as the logo. It's been a while since the last mainline Tales game (that wasn't a re-release), as Tales of Berseria released in Japan in 2016 and that was also on PlayStation 3. Tales of Arise looks to be quite a visual departure for the series, and the first built solely for the modern console era.
Here's a fact sheet for Tales of Arise. It is slated for release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC:
Challenge the Fate That Binds You
On the planet Dahna, reverence has always been given to Rena, the planet in the sky, as a land of the righteous and divine. Stories handed down for generations became truth and masked reality for the people of Dahna. For 300 years, Rena has ruled over Dahna, pillaging the planet of its resources and stripping people of their dignity and freedom. Our tale begins with two people, born on different worlds, each looking to change their fate and create a new future. Featuring a new cast of characters, updated combat, and classic Tales of gameplay mechanics, experience the next chapter in the world-famous Tale of series, Tales of Arise.
- The Next Chapter - Experience the next chapter in the Tales of series, brought to life in stunning HD powered by Unreal Engine 4
- Dynamic Action - Dynamic Action RPG featuring an updated battle system that retains classic Tales of gameplay
- Stunning Visuals - High quality animation created by ufotable
Elden Ring (PS4, XB1, PC)
Next, we learn a little more about the game that George R.R. Martin is working on with FromSoftware, something that has been rumored for the last several weeks. The game is called Elden Ring, set to release on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. While we only have some logos instead of any in-game screenshots, here's a snippet of information from the now-hidden game page:
ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware, Inc. and BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG adventure set within a world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki – creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series; and George R.R. Martin – author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. Danger and discovery lurk around every corner in FromSoftware’s largest game to-date.
Hidetaka Miyazaki, President and Game Director of FromSoftware Inc. known for directing critically-acclaimed games in beloved franchises including Armored Core, Dark Souls, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
George R.R. Martin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the acclaimed series A Song of Ice and Fire - A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. As a writer-producer, he has worked on The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and pilots that were never made.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered (PS4, PC) / Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (Switch)
Finally, a treat for Level-5 fans. The first Ni no Kuni is getting a re-release for some modern platforms. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered is looking to release on PlayStation 4 and PC. A separate page also indicates that Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is heading to Nintendo Switch, just without the 'Remastered' label. Both of these are scheduled for Fall 2019.
The following description is specifically for the Nintendo Switch version. The Remastered version states: "improved graphics and performance on PS4 and PC."
About Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Journey back to the other world in Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. Level-5’s classic tale returns better than ever. Join Oliver as he embarks on an adventure through a world inhabited by new friends and ferocious foes alike in the hopes of bringing back his mother after a tragic incident. With a copy of the Wizard’s Companion in his hand and his trusty friend Drippy by his side, he will travel across this rich fantasy world to tame familiars, take on enemies, and overcome the countless challenges that stand between him and his mother’s salvation.
This charming tale unfolds through the use of animation storyboarded and created by the legendary Studio Ghibli and music composed by the renowned Joe Hisaishi. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch combines beautiful animated visuals, masterful storytelling, and a sweeping score to create an epic role-playing adventure like no other.
Key Features
- Take the Other World with You – Take Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witchwherever you go on Nintendo Switch.
- All-Star Production – Level-5’s mastery of the RPG genre is combined with Studio Ghibli’s world-class animation and music composed by the renowned Joe Hisaishi.
- Captivating Story – A charming yet tragic tale unfolds through the use of animation storyboarded and created by Studio Ghibli with English and Japanese voice-overs.
- Role-Playing Mastery – A rich mixture of familiar RPG elements, expertly crafted and designed, and featuring dozens of locations to explore, hundreds of creatures to battle, and a wealth of quests and secrets to uncover.
- Dynamic Combat – Switch freely between characters and familiars in an exciting battle system that combines real-time and turn-based tactical elements.
Please remember, however, that these are all leaks and rumors--we may not see these games in the next week or so. Stay tuned for more information on these titles!