Rune Factory 5
Rune Factory : Guardians of Azumais the next installment in the Rune Factory series from Natsume , but it ’s backbreaking to tell that from just wait at it . The serial started as aHarvest Moongame with elements of a fantasy RPG , even carrying the title " A FantasyHarvest Moon " for the first two game . Over the next few games , the enfranchisement evolve into a fully fledged standalone series of games that merged the farm management view of the land simulator genre with the ogre hunt , craft , and earthly concern - building of an RPG .
Though the serial has evolve over the years , one thing has remained the same : the setting . sure enough , all the games took place in dissimilar areas , but all the location were firmly stock-still in the westerly fancy Earth . For the first prison term in the series ' 18 - year run , Rune Factory : Guardians of Azumaisbringing the series aside from the West and into a fantasy farming based on Japan .
Rune Factory Games Traditionally Feature Western-Fantasy Settings
All The Previous Games Took Place In One Kingdom
Rune Factory 1through5alltook place in one localization , the Kingdom of Norad . There ’s no official function of the kingdom , but each game reveals more information about it through its story and locations . There ’s even one location inRune Factory 4that allows player to look through binoculars and see the surrounding cities where the effect of previous games took place . Some rooter have even make their own maps based on selective information from the games , like this one fromDreamarcheon Reddit .
Despite the anime style of the characters , the Kingdom of Norad is firmly rooted in Western fantasy . This is mull in everything from the landscapes and locations to the monsters . Even the Native Dragons , an important element of the first fourRune Factorytitles , are based on Western dragon design .
The series has n’t to the full departed from the West , though . The 2023 Marvelous Game ShowcasenamedGuardians of Azumaas a spin - off championship and bring out that aRune Factory 6is also in development . RF6will doubtless go forward build the lore of the Kingdom of Norad , whileGoAallows the serial to test the water with a marque - young location .
At its core , Rune Factory 3 Special maintains the component of the original lover know and love , but does n’t do a hatful to innovate beyond its graphics .
Guardians of Azumacould be explain as thePokémon Legends : Arceusof theRune Factoryseries or a like tailspin - off dynamic , as it ’s still aRune Factorygame but it is n’t part of the main tale . This is n’t the first time thatRFdeviated from its principal story , butevery tailspin - off in the past has been go down in the same kingdom . Rune Factory : Guardians of Azumais the first form of address in the series that will take place in an exclusively new country .
Guardians Of Azuma Is The First Rune Factory To Use A Japanese Setting
The Game Is Very Different Visually From Previous Titles
Rune Factory : Guardians of Azumadeparts from the Kingdom of Norad and heads for the Eastern land of Azuma . From the first import of the original reveal trailer shared on theNintendo of AmericaYouTube channel , it ’s clear that the secret plan is not rooted in the same influences as its predecessor . One of the first things that actor see in the laggard is an easterly - style dragon . The wear and even thehairstyle of the characterriding the tartar also appear to be inspired by Japanese custom , sport a long ponytail and frizzy crimson , white , and ignominious colouration adorning the outfit .
For the first sentence , the poke announces , the series will " recruit the eastern land of Azuma . " This trailer , along with a longer gameplay and features video recording , also share byNintendo of Americaon YouTube , make it clear that Azuma is nothing like Norad . The Japanese ethnic influences are salient in the video footage , from the architecture and article of clothing stylus to theenvironment and nature . Characters sleep on mat over tatami flooring , the landscape is full of blossom sakura Tree , and Torii gate stand tall .
Even the colors used in the visuals are very different from previousRune Factorytitles . Where the premature games used mostly browns and deadening hues , Guardians of Azumastrongly features vibrant reds and Black , as well as saturated pink , yellowness , and green . It ’s heavy to imagine , even , that the forthcoming plot takes piazza in the same humans asRune manufactory 1 - 5,with its starkly different clothing and jaw wars . The estate of Azuma offers a reprieve from the tumultuous nature of the previous games , even while dish out with its own world - threatening hazard .
How Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma’s Setting Changes The Game
The Setting Influences The Story And Gameplay
The locations feature in the previousRune Factorygames were all beautiful , but they were simply the backdrop to the case happen around them . They serve well as obstacle to overwhelm , prominent feature for area , and general eye candy as players go about uphold the level . The location inRune Factory : Guardians of Azuma , on the other hand , looks like it will take on a much more prominent role in the plot .
Assassin ’s Creed Shadows associate narration theatre director Brooke Davies uncover the process of telling a Sengoku menstruum story in all of its complexity .
Instead of setting props , the setting inGuardians of Azumais as much a persona as any of the peoplerevealed in the trailers . Vibrant and full of personality , it seems to play an important role in both mark the game ’s new emplacement and the gameplay itself . Besides the Japanese - inspired architecture , mode , and scenery , the " easterly " influence extend down to the gameplay and themes picture in the game . The combat expressive style , for instance , features cherry and disastrous brushstroke attack symbol evocative of the traditional ukiyo - e Japanese painting style , and one of the characters fights as a traditional Japanese rooter social dancer .
The locating is a living , breathing part of the tarradiddle , with visuals and acculturation intertwining with storytelling and gameplay .
The very idea of " Earth Dancers " performing dances to reinstate nature , which is the frame-up for this biz ’s story , has itsroots in Japanese cultureas well . It ’s clear that the setting ofRune Factory : Guardians of Azumais more than just a pretty scope . The location is a keep , breathing part of the story , with visuals and finish intertwining with storytelling and gameplay . Moving away from the Western - inspire Kingdom of Norad allowsGuardians of Azumato test something entirely Modern and different and create a earth inspired by a whole different culture .
Source : Dreamarche / Reddit , Nintendo of America / YouTube ( 1,2 )