If Edge of Eternity was Midgar Studios’ heartfelt tribute to classic turn-based JRPGs, then Edge of Memories feels like a bold step into more action-driven territory—swapping slow-burn strategy for fast-paced flair. During Bigben Week in Paris, I had the chance to go hands-on with this upcoming title, and while the game won’t be out until Q4 2025, what I played already marks a clear pivot from its predecessor.
Soul Whisperer Eline
You play as Eline, a Soul Whisperer navigating the lush but crumbling world of Avaris, where a spreading plague known as the Corrosion twists everything it touches. The section I experienced dropped me straight into the action, with Eline slicing through corrupted enemies in a fluid, fast-paced combat system. Her companions, Kanta and Ysoris, are controlled by AI but can be directed toward specific targets to create tactical openings.
Combat with a flair for the dramatic
Combat is bold and over-the-top, clearly inspired by anime fight scenes—especially when triggering finishers. These cinematic close-ups play out like mini-cutscenes, emphasizing the force of the attack and adding the kind of flair fans of the genre will recognize instantly. Button-mashing is certainly viable, but experimenting with ability combos hinted at a deeper rhythm and sense of payoff that may become more important as the game progresses.
According to a representative from Midgar Studios, Edge of Memories was deliberately designed with a more vibrant and stylized visual identity than its predecessor. The team leaned into anime aesthetics and exaggerated animations to better express their love for both JRPGs and anime as a whole. That tonal shift is immediately noticeable—brighter colors, flashier effects, and an overall lighter atmosphere stand in contrast to the more subdued tone of Edge of Eternity. I followed a guided path through combat and story beats, and even within that structure, the energy and visual direction stood out. The final game will also feature Japanese voice acting alongside English, with the rep enthusiastically noting that “the yells just hit better in Japanese”—and, honestly, it’s hard to disagree if you’ve ever watched a single anime showdown.
A taste of bigger battles to come
After a short stint with the game’s structured exploration and some early combat, I was placed into a separate save to experience a boss battle. While I can’t say how representative this encounter will be of the full game, it brought a welcome change of pace. The fight unfolded across multiple phases and required more deliberate coordination between Eline and her allies. Timing, positioning, and strategic targeting all played a larger role, and the presentation leaned hard into the anime-inspired spectacle, complete with oversized attacks and dramatic animations.
My time with Edge of Memories was limited, and while the early encounters felt a little light on variety, the boss battle hinted at a broader range of challenge and depth to come. Unlocking new abilities and encountering a wider range of enemies will likely add more complexity as things ramp up. For now, what I saw points to a promising direction—and I’m curious to see how it all unfolds in the full release.
