A Lost Sphear demo is now playable on Steam

YouTube YouTube
Watch On

Lost Sphear, the new game from I Am Setsuna studio Tokyo RPG Factory, tells the tale of a young boy named Kanata, whose world is literally disappearing, piece by piece. Possessing the unique power of Memory that enables him to restore what's been lost, he and his friends set out on a mission to put things right. The game won't be out until early next year, but you can get a taste of what's to come by way of the demo that was released today on Steam

The demo showcases some of the game's central features, including real-time combat and the Artefact system, "which allows players to utilize restored Memories to customize their user interface, obtain player bonuses, as well as advance the story."   

The controls are pretty brutal, and will presumably (hopefully) be properly implemented for the full release. But for now there's no mouse support, so maneuvering through menus requires the WASD keys, with the spacebar to select. The standard save option isn't available, but you can quicksave using the "1" key, and once you're into the game's menu—accessible via "J"—the only way out is to hit "K."   

There's nothing provided in the way of story or context for your actions, either. Almost immediately after the demo begins, you're ordered by a military leader of some sort to return a large rock from the white, void glowing into which it's apparently fallen. Everyone seems thoroughly impressed by your ability to do so, but how you came about that particular ability to save the day—and who these guys are that you're helping out—is entirely a mystery.   

It's possible that more is revealed later on in the demo (I didn't finish it) but at least in the early going it's definitely more of a mechanical tutorial than a meaningful slice of the game. But it's free—big plus—and it's not an overly large download, so if you're interested in Lost Sphear (and I do think it looks like an interesting game so far), it's definitely worth a look.   

Lost Sphear is set for release on January 23, 2018.   

TOPICS
Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

Latest in RPG
Image of Cersei Lanniser from Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Steam early access trailer
A new Game of Thrones RPG is coming to Steam today with a cast of 'familiar faces,' which is good because it's really the only way to tell it's a GoT game at all
A Viera looking confused in Final Fantasy 14.
Old armor continues to fall victim to Final Fantasy 14's bizarre two-channel dye system, unless you're super into changing the colour of teeny-tiny eyelets: 'Why even bother at this point?'
Starfield: Shattered Space
By the time Bethesda was on Starfield, you'd 'basically get in trouble' for breaking schedule, says former dev: 'A lot of the great stuff within Skyrim came from having the freedom to do what you want'
Sphene applauds in Final Fantasy 14's patch 7.2 story.
I'm not yelling 'we're so back!' yet, but Final Fantasy 14's patch 7.2 story could be the first sign the MMO is returning to what made it so critically-acclaimed
A close-up of a scared young girl's face as she stumbles through the woods, a crown of twigs and flowers upon her head.
CD Projekt says it's not using generative AI on The Witcher 4 because it's 'quite tricky when it comes to legal IP ownership'
Ciri in The Witcher 4
The Witcher 4 won't be out until sometime in 2027 at the soonest, CD Projekt says
Latest in News
Image of Cersei Lanniser from Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Steam early access trailer
A new Game of Thrones RPG is coming to Steam today with a cast of 'familiar faces,' which is good because it's really the only way to tell it's a GoT game at all
The new Prime Asset featured in the upcoming update for the Outlast Trials.
The Outlast Trials puts its already paranoid players under surveillance for a time-limited story event
A Viera looking confused in Final Fantasy 14.
Old armor continues to fall victim to Final Fantasy 14's bizarre two-channel dye system, unless you're super into changing the colour of teeny-tiny eyelets: 'Why even bother at this point?'
Starfield: Shattered Space
By the time Bethesda was on Starfield, you'd 'basically get in trouble' for breaking schedule, says former dev: 'A lot of the great stuff within Skyrim came from having the freedom to do what you want'
Otter AI Meeting Agent
As if your work meetings weren't already fun enough, now Otter has a new all-hearing AI agent that remembers everything anyone has said and can join in the discussion
Monster Hunter Wilds' stockpile master studying a manifest
As layoffs and studio closures continue to deathroll the western AAA industry, analyst points out 5 of 8 major Japanese companies hit all-time share prices this year