The latest entry in the Rune Factory series, previously referred to as a new direction that the series will be taking, has been announced during the Nintendo Partners Direct today. Entitled Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma, the trailer certainly paints a departure from previous games in the series, which might explain why the game chose to drop the number from its title.
Notably, the trailer showcases a world inspired by eastern culture and mythology. While these elements have previously played roles in the series the games often use a natural world, allowing the characters to play off cultural tropes like kimono or dielects. Remaining from prior entires, however, is the use of amnesia as a plot point for your character’s situation.
Set in the titular Azuma, you play as the Earth Dancer, tasked with returning the land to what it once was. To do that you will also need to bring back the seasons that stopped changing since an event long ago known as the Celestial Collapse. From there you can expect the usual mix of farming and RPG combat that a Rune Factory game is known for.
The game will feature two protagonists to choose from, one male and one female, like in previous entries though it is unclear how the protagonist you do not choose will relate to the story as a whole. Your farm also seems farm more customizable than in previous games, with the player appearing to place several buildings on their land, as well as create waterways. Marriage will also return, and similar to Rune Factory 5 you will not be limited by gender.
The biggest departure from the series up to this point is the combat which seems to play a bigger focus here. Up until 5, the combat had remained relatively simplistic and unchanged so this might be the shake-up the series needs. Playing throughout were also voice-acted cutscenes and action-packed moments, both of which mark a new but welcomed direction.
Given the struggling road from Rune Factory 4 to Rune Factory 5, including questions of if the game would even be made, seeing the franchise have such a major glow-up here is a welcomed sight. Fans old and new can expect to head to Azuma in Rune Factor: Guardians of Azuma when it releases for Switch and PC in Spring 2025.
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