Live A Live Launches on PlayStation and PC in April

Written by Brandon Hofer on March 30, 2023

News: A new 2D RPG is on the way to PlayStation and PC after being released on the Nintendo Switch last year.

Square Enix has revealed that Live A Live is launching on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam next month. Previously released on the Nintendo Switch last year, Live A Live is a story-driven HD-2D RPG from Team Asano, who is highly regarded for Octopath Traveler, Bravely Default, and Triangle Strategy.

Live A Live will offer players the freedom to explore eight different stories with eight different characters, each set within different time periods spanning from a pre-historic era to the Wild West, and more. Each unique chapter will offer players a range of different gameplay mechanics to master, such as stealth, suspense and trap placement, all of which center around Live A Live’s turn-based battle system. Players will also be able to tailor their gameplay adventure to their preference, the episodic story format gives players the freedom to complete each chapter from start to finish in any order they choose, or even play through a little of each chapter in parallel at the same time.

Produced by Takashi Tokita (Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy IV), the original game director of the Super Nintendo version, Live A Live has been revitalized using HD-2D technology that blends the nostalgia of pixel art with modern graphics, offering a classic RPG gameplay experience with updated visuals on PS4, PS5, and PC. Players can also look forward to a rearranged version of the game’s soundtrack which has been recreated under the supervision of Live A Live’s original composer, Yoko Shimomura (Final Fantasy XV, The Kingdom Hearts Series).

Additionally, a free playable demo is available to download from the PlayStation Store and Steam. In the Live A Live demo, players will be able to play the opening sections of three of the eight stories in the game: The Wild West, Twilight of Edo Japan, and The Distant Future. Upon purchase, PlayStation and Steam players will also be able to carry over their saved progress to the full version of the game, allowing them to continue their gameplay experience from where they left off when the game launches.

Live A Live will be available digitally on the PlayStation 5, the PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam on April 27, 2023. Players can pre-order from the PlayStation Store or Steam starting today. A 20% off introductory discount will also be available to PlayStation Plus members who pre-order the game before launch on April 27, 2023, and to Steam players who purchase the game before May 11, 2023.

Take a look at the trailer below and tell us what you think. Will you pick up Live A Live on either PlayStation or PC?