Rune Factory 5
| Rune Factory 5 | |
|---|---|
| File:Rune Factory 5 logo.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Hakama |
| Publisher(s) |
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| Series | Rune Factory |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Role-playing, simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Rune Factory 5[a] is a role-playing simulation video game developed and published by Marvelous. The first entry in the Rune Factory series since 2012's Rune Factory 4, it was released for the Nintendo Switch in Japan in May 2021 and is planned for a worldwide release by Xseed Games in early 2022.
Plot
A hero loses their memory and ends up joining a group of rangers operating in the small town of Rigbarth. The hero is encouraged to tend the land as well as battle monsters in order to maintain the peace. Players control a male or female hero with the default names of either Ares or Alice, respectively.[1]
The romanceable bachelorettes are a half-elf named Scarlett, the shy Priscilla, Priscilla's childhood friend Lucy, wereanimal Fuka, succubus Ludmilla, and the pampered Beatrice. Romanceable bachelors are the knight Reinhard, blacksmith in training Martin, Martin's younger brother Cecil, wereanimal Murakumo, the traveler Lucas, and the apprentice carpenter Lyka.[1]
Gameplay
Per Marvelous, gameplay will feature the ability to farm and tame monsters. Players can also team up with townsfolk and use combo attacks, the latter of which is new to the series. There will also be the potential for players to form romantic connections with the game's bachelors or bachelorettes.[1]
Development
Following the success of Rune Factory 4, series producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto commented that the development of a sequel was expected.[2] However, after Rune Factory developer Neverland Co. declared bankruptcy in 2013, the future of the series was left uncertain.[3] In 2014, Marvelous AQL stated that they had hired former Rune Factory developers, including Hashimoto, to develop Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven. In 2018 Hashimoto has left his executive officer role and opened Hakama, a new studio under Marvelous based in Shibuya, working on two unannounced titles, later revealed to be Rune Factory 4 Special and Rune Factory 5.[4][5]
The game was announced in February 2019 and was planned to be released in 2020 before being delayed to May 20, 2021 in Japan, with a worldwide release in early 2022.[6][7][8]
Sales
In Japan, the game debuted at #1 with 102,853 retail copies sold.[9]
References
- ^ a b c "The Stage is Set for a New Adventure; Marvelous Europe to launch Rune Factory 5 in 2021". Marvelous Europe. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ "Rune Factory 4 Sales Cross 150,000 In Japan". Siliconera. September 28, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ "Rune Factory Developer Declares Bankruptcy | The Escapist". www.escapistmagazine.com. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^ "Story of Seasons producer Yoshifumi Hashimoto opens new studio Hakama under Marvelous". Gematsu. July 24, 2018.
- ^ HAKAMAさん。 [@hkm_info] (February 26, 2020). "The day has finally arrived… We're so glad to share this with our fans! Thanks for waiting. #RuneFactory4 Special! Now available! Love you guys! Yoshifumi Hashimoto & Minako Iwasaki HAKAMA Inc" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Gilliam, Ryan. "Rune Factory 5 in the works as Rune Factory 4 heads to Switch". Polygon. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ "Rune Factory 5 launches May 20, 2021 in Japan; new details, trailer, and screenshots". Gematsu. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
- ^ "Rune Factory 5 delayed to early 2022 in the west". Gematsu. June 11, 2021.
- ^ "Famitsu Sales: 5/17/21 – 5/23/21 [Update]". Gematsu. May 27, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.