Edge of Eternity originally went into early access on the PC in 2018 and was officially released for PC last year. Next month, the JRPG is finally going to release for console, and it's good news for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, as the game is going to be a day-one addition to the service. Edge of Eternity is a game made with a deep love of the JRPG genre, and as such fans will find plenty to appreciate in this game. The console version is set to receive all current and future updates and fixes of the PC version, and for any Xbox Game Pass subscriber who enjoys games like Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy, the day-one release is especially exciting news.
While Edge of Eternity is definitely a love letter to JRPGs, it was actually developed by a French studio, Midgar Studio (named after the city in Final Fantasy 7). Reviews for the PC version of the game were mostly positive, although some players found the story trite and a little cliche. However, longtime JRPG fans may be well familiar with melodramatic, and at times surreal, narratives. Many reviews of the game praised its story and appealing design. Ultimately, Edge of Eternity is an ambitious game that sets out to modernize the experience of a classic JRPG, and Xbox Game Pass gives subscribers an opportunity to check out how well this attempt turned out themselves.
Edge of Eternity: Development and Gameplay
As mentioned, Edge of Eternity was developed by Midgar Studio, and crowdfunding for the game began in 2013 via Kickstarter. The love for classic JRPGs is clear from the studio's name, and music for Edge of Eternity was composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and Cedric Menendez. Mitsuda is well-known for his work in JRPGs, including Chrono Trigger, which helps the game's atmosphere feel more authentic to early JRPGs. While some players were disappointed with the depth of the world that can be explored in Edge of Eternity, the majority of reviews praised the level of detail in the game's captivating aesthetic.
The combat in Edge of Eternity is turn-based, again adding to the old-school JRPG vibe of the game. However, battles in the game take place on a hexagonal grid, so players can also strategically place their characters during the fights. Finally, the turn-based system also makes use of an ATB (active time battle) gauge, so Final Fantasy players should be mostly familiar with the gameplay.
The rest of the gameplay follows all the typical tropes of JRPGs, and in general Edge of Eternity has relatively simple gameplay mechanics that although are traditional to JRPGs, don't necessarily add anything new either. During development, Midgar Studio made clear it wanted to take players' feedback and ideas into account. As such the ambitious indie studio has crafted this game with a clear love of the genre, and many of the game's limitations will be likely due to having a much smaller developer team than some big-name RPGs. It's worth noting that the combat has been updated and tweaked by the development team since it went into early access.
Edge of Eternity's Story
A large part of the appeal of JRPGs is the huge, fantastical worlds that players can explore. Edge of Eternity is set in Hyrone, which has been under attack from the Archelites for decades. The technologically advanced Archelites have also created a virus known as the Corrosion, which turns people into vicious monsters. While Hyrone has been able to keep the Corrosion at bay, no cure has been found.
Edge of Eternity's narrative follows Daryon and Selene in a quest to find a cure for the Corrosion, as their mother has contracted the disease. Daryon is a soldier who has become disillusioned with the war with the Archelites, and Selene is a priestess at the Sanctorium. Daryon and Selene meet a number of allies along the way who can join their party. Players are also accompanied by Nekaroo, an adorable giant cat that can carry the characters on its back and sniff out secret treasure and other important items.
Edge of Eternity may not revolutionize JRPG-style games, but it is a thoughtful attempt to modernize the genre. The initial reviews were somewhat divided when it comes to the gameplay, and the narrative may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, fans of old-school JRPGs are sure to appreciate the dedication to the genre in this game, and again, Xbox Game Pass gives a particularly good opportunity for subscribers to check out the game at no additional cost.
Edge of Eternity is available now on PC, and will release on February 10, 2022, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.