[SDCC 2017] “Lost Sphear” Hands-On

Lost Sphear was a pleasant surprise at Square Enix’s booth at San Diego Comic-Con, because the game didn’t make an appearance at E3.  Even more surprising was that the build featured at the booth was the Switch version. We got…

Lost Sphear was a pleasant surprise at Square Enix’s booth at San Diego Comic-Con, because the game didn’t make an appearance at E3.  Even more surprising was that the build featured at the booth was the Switch version.

We got our hands on it and so far, so good.

The demo doesn’t leave much to say about the game’s story yet.

You take control of a boy named Kanata, and with your friend Lumina, you look for another kid by the name of Locke.  This gives players the opportunity to explore the home village from top to bottom, being wary of sparkles in the ground that lead to loot.  Some of the homes have chests you can plunder as well, fully immersing players into the classical style that Tokyo RPG Factory has all but perfected.

Before long while searching for Locke in the orphanage, we come across the village elder who tasks the two to ring the village bell.  Of course, along the way we find Locke looking to do the deed on his own before we decide to do it together.  Later the party gets tasked by another villager to catch some fish, which gives Locke the perfect opportunity to quickly leave town with the hopes of catching one on his own.

This is where we end up fishing, which couldn’t have gameplay any less simple — you literally just mash the action button until you catch the fish… Or rather, in this instance, Locke.

When the group eventually catches the fish, they find that monsters are on the way home, and battles are introduced.  If you’ve played any of the classic Final Fantasy games, Chrono Trigger, or even I Am Setsuna, there’s nothing different here. You’re literally only given the option to attack or let loose your “Setsuna” ability, which is pretty much just a special move.

After what was probably the boss fight, the group leaves the woods and finds the overworld surrounded in a white mist.  Confused, the demo ends.

Of course, the demo only scratched the surface in regards of what to expect when the game comes out in 2018, but so far, it looks like the game we expected when I Am Setsuna was initially released.