Publisher Square Enix and developer Claytechworks have shared new information and screenshots for the HD-2D action RPG The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, following its recent release date announcement. This update delves into the game’s story, world, characters, systems, and feedback from its demo.
Concept
Hope is Timeless
This action RPG introduces a fresh experience, blending pixel art with 3D CG visuals in its unique HD-2D style.
The game is set on a continent dominated by beast tribes, where the Kingdom of Huther stands as humanity’s last stronghold, protected by a magical barrier.
Upon discovering ancient ruins, the adventurer Elliot and his fairy companion Faie embark on a perilous journey beyond the kingdom’s borders. Their quest will traverse the continent and a thousand years of its past, uncovering the world’s enigmatic history and forging new paths. Players can expect engaging action combat, complemented by Faie’s strategic support abilities. The adventure intertwines the destinies of Elliot and Faie as they unravel historical mysteries.
Story
A Story of Four Ages Across a Thousand Years
Elliot and Faie must journey through the Doorway of Time to various historical periods to break a curse afflicting Princess Heuria of Huther. Their travels will take them from their present, the Age of Safekeeping, deeper into the past, through different eras, each presenting a significant challenge to their quest.
—Age of Safekeeping: The Present
—Age of Reconstruction: The Dark Ages
—Age of Magic: A Golden Age
—Age of Budding: The Birth of Civilization
World
Philabieldia: A Continent Overrun by Beast Tribes
The narrative of Elliot unfolds in Philabieldia, a world teeming with monsters and beastmen. Humanity resides within the Kingdom of Huther, shielded from external dangers by a powerful magic barrier.
Age of Safekeeping
The Kingdom of Huther, governed by King Hichard, is located in Philabieldia. Its inhabitants enjoy peace due to Princess Heuria’s Safekeeping spell, which wards off beast tribes. Elliot’s journey begins in this Age of Safekeeping, leading him through the Age of Reconstruction, the Age of Magic, and the Age of Budding.
Characters
Elliot
Elliot, the protagonist, is a compassionate young adventurer who readily assists those in distress. He supports himself by undertaking requests from townsfolk. Having grown up in the kingdom’s orphanage without knowing his parents, Elliot regularly contributes a portion of his earnings and cares for younger orphans between his expeditions.
Faie
Faie is a fairy visible and audible only to Elliot. Her unique magical abilities make her a reliable companion, offering support throughout his journey. Her memories prior to encountering Elliot are indistinct, and she senses a forgotten, crucial element as their adventure progresses.
Princess Heuria
Princess Heuria of Huther possesses inherent magical powers, enabling her to cast the Safekeeping spell that protects the kingdom. Despite her desire to explore the outside world, she must stay within the castle to maintain this vital magic. Her benevolent and kind nature has garnered her the affection and esteem of her people.
King Ichard
King Ichard, Huther’s ruler, is a benevolent leader deeply committed to his country’s welfare. He adheres to the royal principle, “Be not a prisoner of power,” ensuring stable governance. Simultaneously, he harbors concern for his daughter, Heuria, who is bound to maintain the Safekeeping spell.
Kaifried
Kaifried, the king’s astute minister and a skilled swordsman, disagrees with King Ichard’s conservative governance and reliance on Princess Heuria’s magic. He advocates for actively seeking new magical advancements to ensure the kingdom’s future.
Euygene
Euygene, the kingdom’s leading magic scholar, briefly pursued an adventurer’s life before realizing his lack of talent. Despite his youth, he has gained the king’s confidence, allowing him to recommend his old friend Elliot for the exploration of recently unearthed ruins.
System: Elliot’s Actions
As Elliot, players will freely explore the vast continent of Philabieldia, engaging in combat with beastmen. Various weapons discovered during the journey can be used interchangeably for battle and to navigate caves and ruins.
—Two weapons may be equipped at once. Observe enemy movements to determine optimal strike times.
—Most weapons feature a special attack, activated by holding the attack button to charge it.
Swords
Swords offer quick, wide-range attacks, making them user-friendly. Charging their special attack unleashes flying slashes.
Shields
Shields provide defense only against frontal assaults; they do not protect against attacks from the back or sides. Mastering timely guard raises can provide a significant combat advantage.
Bows
A bow’s standard attack shoots a single arrow, while its special attack releases multiple arrows in a fan pattern, consuming only one arrow.
Boomerangs
Boomerangs pose a threat throughout their flight path; a well-aimed throw can strike enemies both on its outward and return journeys.
Bombs
Bombs detonate shortly after being placed, delivering powerful explosions. They are also useful for destroying specific rocks and cracked walls.
Spears
Spears excel at delivering repeated frontal attacks from beyond an enemy’s melee range. Their special attack involves a forward charge.
Hammers
Hammers are slow but powerful, with a special attack that delivers a downward blow. They can also be used to drive pegs into the ground.
Chains and Sickles
Chains and sickles are versatile weapons, enabling attacks from a distance or in a circular area. Their special attack can draw enemies closer.
Utilize Elliot’s diverse actions across the map to uncover new areas and points of interest. Returning to previously visited locations after acquiring new abilities may lead to fresh discoveries.
—Employ dynamic attacks to traverse fragmented terrain.
—Dive under logs obstructing the path.
System: Faie’s Actions
Faie, Elliot’s fairy companion, provides crucial support throughout his adventure. Her unique magical abilities help navigate tricks and traps, and she actively participates in combat. Faie’s collaboration is essential for successful exploration.
—Faie will collect nearby items and assist in attacking enemies.
—Players can control Faie directly using the R stick, or a second player can take control in local co-op mode.
System: Faie’s Special Abilities
Faie acquires new magical abilities as the journey progresses. Certain obstacles impeding Elliot’s path can only be bypassed using fairy magic, encouraging players to actively experiment with her new skills.
—The magic “sprint” significantly boosts Elliot’s movement speed, useful for solving puzzles or simply moving faster.
—The magic “warp” instantly teleports Elliot to Faie’s location, offering various tactical uses like dodging attacks, bypassing obstacles, or gaining advantageous positions against enemies.
If Elliot’s vitality drops to zero in battle, Faie can revive him, allowing the adventure to continue from the exact point of interruption.
—Faie’s resurrection ability requires “tul,” Philabieldia’s currency. Players should assess their financial resources and immediate environment before choosing to revive.
System: Magicite
Players can bring collected magicite fragments to a magicite shop to forge them into complete magicite pieces, each possessing unique effects. These magicite pieces can be equipped as a set, granting their combined benefits to Elliot’s weapons. Experimenting with combinations can provide a strategic advantage in combat and suit various playstyles. Magicite fragments are typically found as random drops from defeated enemies or within treasure chests.
—Magicite is crafted from fragments at a town shop. While the exact magicite received is random, players can specify a desired weapon type to influence the outcome.
—Crafting more magicite increases a player’s rank, improving the chances of forging rarer magicite types.
Each magicite piece has an equip cost, and players can equip as many as their total available cost allows. Adjusting magicite sets to find complementary combinations or those optimized for specific areas or battles is encouraged.
—When selecting magicite, consider the total equippable cost. The magicite shopkeeper can increase this limit for a substantial fee.
Sword Magicite
Sword Magicite offers effects to customize swords and shields. Players can enhance defenses or, conversely, reduce them to enable powerful counterattacks.
—Combining magicite that grants omnidirectional defense after sword attacks with magicite that boosts attack power after guarding creates an optimal balance of offense and defense.
—Players can intentionally break their shield to utilize magicite that adds flying slashes to attacks while defense is unavailable. Such sets allow for gameplay focused on risk-reward strategies.
Spear Magicite
Spear Magicite can extend a polearm’s reach beyond enemy range or unlock the potential of other weapons when combined with a spear.
—Several magicite types enhance weapons used immediately after a spear swing. Players can explore how various weapon affinities interact.
—Combining magicite that extends special attack movement range with magicite that grants invulnerability during special attacks allows players to breach enemy lines. Adding magicite that reduces special attack charge time further aids in quick exits.
Debut Demo Feedback
Based on feedback from the post-play survey of the debut demo, which was released on Nintendo Switch 2, the following adjustments will be implemented:
—Increased Movement Speed for Elliot
—New Difficulty Levels
—Expanded Convenience Features for Magicite
—Adjustments to Weapon Shortcut Menu Behavior
Further details will be available on the official website soon. The developers express gratitude for the survey cooperation and encourage anticipation for the full release of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales!
Collector’s Edition
The Collector’s Edition includes:
- Base game
- Digital Deluxe Upgrade
- Faie and the Doorway of Time Tabletop Clock
- Original Soundtrack
Pre-Order Incentive and Digital Deluxe Edition
Pre-Order Incentive
Digital pre-orders and purchases of the physical edition’s first production run will receive Elliot’s Departure Pack, which contains:
- Departure Brooch accessory, which increases the amount of currency and magicite fragments enemies drop
- Attack Up sword Magicite
Digital Deluxe Edition
The Digital Deluxe Edition offers the base game along with:
- Fairy Bangle accessory
- Cherry Blossom Anklet accessory
- Roselle Ring accessory
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store) on June 18.
