This Week in JRPG & Anime: Devil Saga Returns, Homura Hime Slashes, and Anime Origins!

JRPG fans, rejoice! The gaming landscape is heating up with exciting announcements and impressions. First up, G-MODE is bringing back a cult classic with Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: A’s TEST Server, originally released for Japanese flip phones back in 2006. This modern re-release will hit both Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, breathing new life into the post-apocalyptic tale of Serph and his companions as they climb the mysterious Tower of Karma. What makes this particularly exciting is the evolution of the Press Turn System and the Mantra System, which players can now enjoy on modern platforms with quality-of-life improvements like an optional 3x EXP boost. The game’s atmospheric setting and strategic combat have aged remarkably well, making this a must-play for both returning fans and newcomers to the Shin Megami Tensei universe.

If you’re craving some fast-paced anime action, look no further than Homura Hime, the hack-and-slash title that’s already drawing comparisons to Nier in terms of style and substance. The combat system is a visual feast, with skills that summon giant flaming phoenixes and create vortexes of slashes that make you feel like a badass demon exorcist. The developers have clearly put thought into the combo system, mixing light and heavy attacks to create both aerial juggling opportunities and visually stunning finishers. What sets Homura Hime apart is how satisfying each ability feels - from teleporting blades to slice distant enemies to the helicopter-like sword rotations that linger after combos. With bullet hell intensity meeting accessible hack-and-slash mechanics, this game is poised to fill that Nier-sized hole in your life until the inevitable sequel finally arrives.

Finally, let’s dive into the world of anime with Origin: Spirits of the Past, a film that serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of overpromising in trailers. Set in Neutral City, a settlement caught between militarized nations and killer sapient trees, the story follows Agito as he discovers Toola, a cryogenically preserved girl from the old world who becomes the center of a three-way conflict. The film opens with an almost video-game-like sequence that unleashes its entire artistic arsenal, featuring moon-splitting, dragon-like plant creatures, and cataclysmic meteors. Unfortunately, the rest of the film struggles to maintain that initial wow factor, with the narrative ultimately failing to live up to its spectacular opening act. Despite this, Origin: Spirits of the Past remains available for streaming on Crunchyroll, offering viewers a chance to experience its unique blend of dystopian future and nature-driven conflict for themselves.