Arc System Works and Unit+ Announce Tactical RPG Shinbō no Kurifa
The announcement marks Arc System Works' continued expansion beyond fighting games into original RPG development, while giving Unit+ its first major project since the merger of Aquria and Aplus.
Reporting from 4 sources: 4Gamer.net, Automaton, Game Spark, Inside.
Arc System Works announced a new RPG, Shinbō no Kurifa, during its ARC SYSTEM WORKS Showcase on June 25, 2026. The game is a tactical counter timeline RPG developed jointly with Unit+, a company formed in November 2025 from the merger of Aquria and Aplus. It is set in a 2030 Tokyo where a disaster called the World Collapse caused ground subsidence in Shibuya, releasing monsters. Players control two protagonists: Soma Hoshikami, a boy with mysterious powers, and Elena Hizuki, a public security officer specializing in monster countermeasures. The story progresses by selecting areas on a map, with investigation scenes presented in an adventure format. Battles use a timeline system where players chain skills; enemy attack timing is visible on the UI, and landing a counter when two yellow circles overlap deals massive damage. The game is nearly fully voiced. Shinbō no Kurifa launches on September 24, 2026 for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Pre-orders begin today and include three additional skins for each protagonist and a high-difficulty battle mode called Voidfall, consisting of 16 battles. A teaser trailer and official website have also been released.
Arc System Works unveiled Shinbō no Kurifa during its June 25 showcase, a new IP described as a tactical counter timeline RPG. The game is set in a Shibuya devastated by the World Collapse, where monsters called anomalies appear. The two protagonists are Soma Hoshikami, who gains powers from the disaster, and Elena Hizuki, a public security officer. The story advances by visiting locations on a map, with adventure-style investigation scenes using character portraits. Battles emphasize a counter mechanic: enemy attack timing is displayed on the UI, and players must time their skills to trigger a counter when two yellow circles overlap, dealing heavy damage. The developers describe the concept as 'easily unleash exhilarating action-like battles.' The game is nearly fully voiced. Pre-orders are live now on Steam, PS Store, and Epic Games Store, offering three additional skins per protagonist and a 16-battle high-difficulty mode called Voidfall. Unit+, the co-developer, was formed in November 2025 from the merger of Aquria (CRYMACHINA) and Aplus (Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari SP). One source romanizes the title as Kanbaku no Kurifa, but the official reading appears to be Shinbō no Kurifa. The game launches September 24, 2026 on PC, PS5, and Switch.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.