‘Arc the Lad’ is a game series that has lain dormant for quite some time. The last game from the strategy RPG series was WAY back in 2004, with “Arc the Lad: End of Darkness,” meaning that it’s been well over 14 years since the world has seen an Arc the Lad game materialise. However, the extended hiatus might finally be coming to an end as Sony’s mobile game division, ForwardWorks, has created a teaser website with ‘Arc the Lad’ proudly displayed front and centre.
While details are scarce, the use of heavy shadows and a dark colour pallet definitely seems to be invoking a more bleak tone, which is likely giving some players flashbacks to Arc the Lad II. While it’s not 100% confirmed, the character that takes centre stage is probably Arc himself, or at least the impressive bandana that the character is wearing gives that impression. However, more pressingly, a pretty familiar airship is hanging in the sky: While its design isn’t exactly the same, it is extremely similar to the Silver Noah’s. All these points might be leading to this newest game being some kind of prequel or maybe some kind of remaster, though we likely won’t be able to say until more details surface.
This isn’t actually the first sign of this Arc the Lad release: Back in 2016, ForwardWorks released a video with the title of ‘Reboot Project,’ which notably put good ol’ Arc front and centre (alongside a neat looking segment about Wild Arms). It’s likely that the Arc the Lad RPG teased in the video is this same game that’s being advertised now. We’ve included the teaser video below.
It’s worth reiterating that ForwardWorks, the group behind both teasers, are a Sony branch focused on mobile games. To that end, it’s likely that this game is going to be released on mobile. Whether that will have an effect on what kind of game this eventually turns out to be, we’ll have to wait and see.
If this news has whet your appetite for classic RPGs/JRPGs, consider taking a gander at our review for the re-release of The Secret of Mana while we all wait for further details on Arc’s own game.