New Arc Line is definitely one of the most intriguing isometric RPGs on my radar. It was announced in late 2023, and somehow, I missed the story trailer that dropped in April 2024. The trailer is not only emotionally charged, showing one of the game’s main heroes but also showcasing several gameplay sequences.
Developed by Dreamate and published by Fulqrum Publishing, the game is likely to be released by the end of 2024 on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. As seen in the trailer, this RPG is set in a Steampunk world that blends magic and technology, featuring dark and atmospheric environments.
The trailer gives us a glimpse into the game’s world and its backstory while also showing some exploration sequences where the protagonist engages in conversations, attempting to persuade others through a card-based system. There are also brief glimpses of combat preparation, but we still need to figure out if they will be in Final Fantasy style or in a more tactical way.
If you haven’t seen it yet, the trailer is definitely worth a watch. I know I’m a bit late to the party, but maybe you missed it too, just like I did. Below an overview, screens and story trailer.
About This Game
The New World looms on the horizon, on its shore the shining city of progress, and the last beacon of hope in your search for a cure to your family’s fatal disease – New Arc. You arrive to this foreign land by steerage of a steamship, cramped with thousands of other immigrants, a stranger in a strange land, full of wonder. But you will soon discover that the city’s beauty runs only skin-deep and all you find is rot beneath the golden facade.
Dark smoke from the factories chokes the skies, segregation, inequality, and corruption run rampant. You will have to rise from the very bottom, make tough decisions, and get your hands dirty if you are to succeed – and you must, no matter the cost!
Craft technopunk gear or master the arcane arts, fight, steal or smooth-talk your way to the top and become the hero or villain you want to be. You will not have to face the trials of this world alone, however; find your companions and gather your party, make foes and allies, fall in love, get involved in a massive conspiracy, and change the course of history forever.
Will you rise to the occasion?
Become the Hero or the Villain you want to be
Create your own character as a Human, Elf, Dwarf or Giant, choose your gender, background and appearance. Keep in mind that inhabitants of this world might have their own prejudices and will treat you differently depending on your choices.
Gather your Party
You won’t be alone on these shores. Meet & recruit a diverse cast of characters, learn their stories, face their demons together and help them grow, or use them for your own gain and discard them as fits your schemes. Who knows, maybe you will even find your true love!
Master Technology or Magic
Evolve your character as you see fit using a detailed progression system with 6 character classes and 12 subclasses. Will you master the secrets of Magic to incinerate enemies as a Hellfire occultist, curse them with mystical Voodoo abilities, or assist your allies as a Celestial sage? Or will you rather cast aside the obsolete ways and become a Steampunk mechanic, Dieselpunk engineer or Teslapunk scientist, and turn your character into a walking steam-powered fortress?
Fight for your Right
Command your party in turn-based tactical battles. Fight head-on and brute-force your way through encounters or observe and analyze each situation and come up with cunning strategies to conquer even seemingly overwhelming odds. There’s a plethora of skills, spells, crafting recipes and consumables at your disposal to turn the tide of battle in your favor.
Manifest Your Destiny
Make a name for yourself, influence countless lives for better or worse, and watch the consequences of your choices unfold. You may start out as only a poor immigrant, but soon your exploits will fill the front pages of newspapers and the events you set in motion will change the fate of the New World forever.
