Oninaki gets some Concept Art and Daemon Gameplay
Square Enix Europe has sent along some concept art for Oninaki, describing some of the locations, items, and creatures found in the game.
Additionally, Square Enix Japan has been posting gameplay videos for each of the game's Daemon familiars. Each daemon wields a different type of weapon, which will change Kagachi's combat style.
Find the concept art and gameplay videos below. Oninaki is set to release for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC on August 22. A free demo is available now.
Oninaki Concept Artwork
Descriptions written by Producer Ryutaro Sasaki
Fallen Soul 01
The design for this Fallen Soul is based on one of the monsters that appears in all Tokyo RPG Factory games. In the world of ONINAKI, when people who have become estranged from the wheel of reincarnation eventually perish, they will transform into the Fallen, and the particle like pattern on its body is based on this concept. I think that the gently flickering flame on its head is quite charming.
Drawn by Monster Designer Morinaga Koji.
Fallen Soul 02
This is a design for a Fallen Soul with a fungoid aspect. You can see how it attacks by billowing spores from its head, an attack that will cause no end of grief for Kagachi in the game.
Drawn by Monster Designer Morinaga Koji.
Fallen Soul 03
This Fallen Soul is an airborne type. The distinctive design features translucent wings and a single strong leg, and reminds you that the fallen in the world of ONINAKI were all originally human. It gives a sense of the fleeting beauty in all living things.
Drawn by Monster Designer Morinaga Koji.
Objects of the Inner Kingdom
The objects shown in these designs offer a window into the lives of the regular people who live in the Inner Kingdom. Many Asian influences have been incorporated into the designs for the cityscape and the pillars, such as objects resembling Shinto shrines and Buddhist jizo statues. However, when combined on the streets of Szaka, it results in a unique visual atmosphere that appears neither wholly Eastern nor Western.
Drawn by Background Designer Oga Takeshi.
Research Room
This is a design drawing for a certain research facility that exists somewhere in the world. As for who works here and what kind of research they are doing in this dark, windowless room… you will just have to find that out yourself!
Drawn by Background Designer Oga Takeshi.
World Pillars
This is a design for one of the objects known as the World Pillars that can occasionally be seen in the world of ONINAKI. Nobody knows who built these artefacts or for what purpose, and their true age is unknown, yet they project a solemn sense of gravitas and the passing of the ages.
Drawn by Background Designer Oga Takeshi.
Ehir Palace
This image board depicts the throne in Ehir Palace, residence of the sovereign who rules over the capital Szaka, and by extension the Inner Kingdom where the story of ONINAKI is set. Steeped in an aura of dread majesty, this throne has been the seat for generations of sovereigns who embodied of the precept of reincarnation. The current incumbent is Lady Lobelia.
Drawn by Background Designer Oga Takeshi.
Great Plain
This image board is for a place that we called the “Great Plain” during the early stages of development, and it was very useful for solidifying the visual image of the world of the dead, Beyond the Veil. We have created a setting that is not just a dark and cold land of the dead, but also has a mysterious and fantastical atmosphere, with interesting features such as the pale lights that appear to shine up from the ground and the uniquely shaped trees that are reminiscent of Eastern designs and traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Drawn by Background Designer Oga Takeshi.
Szaka
In order to create the unique setting for this title, we deliberately utilized a variety of Eastern design influences. This image board is for the capital city of Szaka, which has a particularly strong central Asian flavor. Special care was taken when depicting the cityscape, centered on the sovereign’s palace that symbolizes the precept of reincarnation itself, as well as the uniquely expressive sky, possessed of a character that is at once the glow of dawn and the haze of sunset.
Drawn by Background Designer Oga Takeshi.
Oninaki Daemon Gameplay Videos
Daemon Infographic
Rigan
A Daemon who's a natural on the battlefield. Though Rigan's upbringing left him with a course tongue, his heart is ne less kind for it. He still holds distant memories of turning away from a warm, outstretched hand. Rigan uses speed as his weapon, defeating foes by overwhelming them with quick attacks. He also emplys counteraccks and evaise rolls for a highly technical style of combat.
Dia
A Daemon whose courteous manner and graceful bearing exude an air of refinement. Dia always prioritizes her companions above herself. She still holds distant memories of wandering through the darkness, and a faint light dancing in the palm of a hand. Wielding a crossbow in one hand and a pistol in the other, Dia excels at unleashing a hail of attacks from afar. She can spring into the air, putting distance between herself and her foes, even while maintaining the onslaught,
Wil
A cheerful Daemon who's easy to like, though dealings in his past life have eft it difficult for him to trust others. Wil still holds distant memories of roaming far and wide, a time of great joy mixed with bitter hatred. Able to crush foes through stern defenses, he boasts the most offensive power of any Daemon, and he can use his massive axes to block incoming attacks.
Zaav
A Daemon with a strong sense of justice and unwavering honesty. Even in death, the inner turmoil Zaav felt inlife is evident within him. He still holds dtistant memories of haterd suffered and deep regrets. Zaav wields spears as he charges into the fray, and he doesn't flinch at taking a few hard hits. He can also leap into the air, enabling him to attack from land or sky.