505 Games is a video game publishing company that is firmly establishing itself within the industry. Historically making a name for itself via involvement in titles such as Terraria, Payday 2, and Dead By Daylight, the company is now looking toward the future and letting fans know what to expect.
505 Games recently hosted the 505 Games Showcase, a livestream with the aim of outlining updates and announcements regarding some highly-anticipated 505 titles. In total, there were four titles that were showcased in detail at the 505 Game Showcase.
Among the Trolls
The first game that was given attention at the 505 Games Showcase was the upcoming Among the Trolls, where it was officially announced. Among the Trolls promises to be a first-person survival action adventure game, set in a mystical forest filled with mythical flora and fauna.
Among the Trolls is being developed by a Finnish developer by the name of Forbidden Studios, and resultantly seems to lean quite significantly into Finnish and Nordic folklore. The plot concerns the player taking control of either Alex or Anna, a Finnish-American who travels to Finland to visit their grandparents, only to find them missing and their cabin desolate. Players must then learn to build, craft, settle, and survive within a mysterious and ominous woodland, while making offerings to satiate the creatures of the land.
The wooded survival elements of the game seem to be similar to other popular survival game The Forest, with both games also sharing supernatural enemy types. Among the Trolls is set to enter early access later on in the year, allowing the game to be polished up until its full release. Among the Trolls is set to launch exclusively on Steam.
Stray Blade
The second game that was announced at the 505 Games Showcase was Stray Blade. The game appears to be an extremely vibrant and stylized third-person action RPG, set within the fantastical ancient Valley of Acrea. Despite initially being announced in 2021, delays have seen the game warrant a more official and contemporary announcement, which the showcase provided.
Stray Blade will see players take control of a rogue adventurer, working alongside Boji, a Xhinnon wolf companion, to heal a land ravaged by war. Stray Blade appears to pride itself in its combat, with a multitude of different melee weapons being at the player's disposal to tailor a fighting style that is best suited to them. Also featuring a bespoke dodging system, players can utilize a mixture of quick or heavy blows in combat to keep enemies guessing and to keep fights layered and engaging.
Stray Blade is being developed by German studio Point Blank Games, with an official release date aiming for sometime around 2023. Offering more platforms than Among the Trolls, Stray Blade is set to release on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising
Another game that was featured within the showcase was Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising. This particular title is a prequel spin-off, set in the same world as the long-anticipated Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. With fans expecting to see an update regarding Hundred Heroes, many found it peculiar that it was Rising that instead got the focus, considering it has already been released.
Rising was developed by the Tokyo-based Rabbit and Bear Studios. Rabbit and Bear has some veterans of the JRPG genre on board its team, employing many members who worked on the original Suikoden games. Originally in their efforts to develop Hundred Heroes, Rabbit and Bear turned to Kickstarter to raise funds for the title, amassing a staggering $4.5 million in funding. With this being the third-highest grossing videogame Kickstarter project in existence, Rabbit and Bear made the popular desire for their games more than known. As a result, 505 Games partnered with Rabbit and Bear, providing the resources necessary to make serious headway for the Eiyuden Chronicle franchise.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is an action RPG with a large focus on town-building and upgrading mechanics, while still featuring fast-paced RPG combat. Featuring a diverse cast of characters within an original story, Chronicle also sets up some elements of the story of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, which may aid its popularity and appeal. Having initially released just recently on May 10, Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising is available on Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Miasma Chronicles
The last game that was officially announced at the 505 Games Showcase was Miasma Chronicles. An action-packed and turn-based RPG title, Miasma Chronicles is set in a sad but visually striking post-apocalyptic world.
Miasma's game world features a futuristic America, that has been torn apart by a powerful mysterious energy force known as the Miasma. The protagonist, Elvis, was left in the care of a "robotic older brother" by his mother, bearing a glove that allows him to wield the power of the Miasma. Miasma Chronicles is set to be driven by a blend of real-time exploration and refined turn-based combat, all set within rich environments. Players will also be able to upgrade the weapons and abilities of their party, adding classical RPG elements to the upcoming title.
Miasma Chronicles is being developed by The Bearded Ladies, a Swedish development studio that made its name by creating the popular turn-based Mutant Year Zero series. The game is set to release some time in 2023, and is also set to be available to play on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. While there were some omissions to the showcase that many fans may take issue with, there is no denying that 505 Games has quite a roster of titles to keep fans occupied with in the meantime.