Cult JRPG Live A Live getting a Switch remake with a July release date

It was easy to miss in the middle of an absolutely stacked Nintendo Direct yesterday — but for enthusiasts of classic Japanese role-playing games, it might have been the most exciting announcement of the bunch (in the continuing absence of Mother).

You Can Live AliveThe cult Square RPG ’94 is now being recreated for Nintendo Switch. This new version features the modern HD-2D engine. Octopath TravelerAnd Triangle Strategy,Nintendo himself will release the game on July 22.

Live Alive’s gimmick is that it encompasses seven eras, each with its own distinct storyline, art, and gameplay style: prehistory, the Wild West, Imperial China, Edo Japan, the near future, and the distant future. Further, unlockable chapters tie these stories together, and there’s a turn-based battle system uniting all of them, adapted to the combat style of each era.

Grid View

It’s certainly an ambitious premise, and the game has a great pedigree too: It was directed by Final Fantasy 6Designer and Chrono TriggerTakashi Tokita is the director. Music by the legend Yoko ShimomuraStreet Fighter 2, Kingdom Hearts).

If you want to understand why the game is so beloved of the cognoscenti, IGN’s Peer Schneider posted a passionate and enlightening Twitter threadMore You Can Live Alive after the remake’s announcement. You might also want to check out the Japanese version of the game. It includes the model kit, the soundtrack CDs and a real board game.

You Can Live An Active Life isn’t the only classic Square Enix RPG getting the HD-2D treatment: A remake of Dragon Quest 3It is currently in development. It may not be the same game, but it is still a popular choice and a hot object of fan interest. MotherThis is a stunning recovery from vaults.