Many RPG players enjoy it. final fantasy Because of the story, characters, and ever-evolving combat system, there was simultaneously a demand for new RPGs that took a different approach in style and mechanics. That's right there heart of gaiaA steampunk-inspired action RPG is coming soon. steamcomes into play because it can attract a group of players who want an alternative experience to real-time combat and a unique fantasy world. long time final fantasy Fans in particular may find something worth spending time with here, as it seems to provide the depth of character and world-building they feel Square Enix's beloved franchise has lost over the years.
heart of gaia It comes from Brokentail Games, an indie developer and publisher that looks to be debuting as an action RPG. It's currently still in pre-release stages on Steam, with a Q1 2026 release window and a fully playable demo available for players to try out the game. At first glance, it doesn't look like any recent blockbuster movie. final fantasy There have been games, but this is where a decades-old RPG franchise can benefit. The ambitions for a rich story world and compelling party mechanics are high, but this is exactly what many fans want. final fantasy I've been requesting it recently.
Heart of Gaia's steampunk world and party-centric combat fills a Final Fantasy-sized void.
heart of gaia is a steampunk action RPG set in a world that has never fully recovered from the cataclysm known as the Decline of the Gods. Long ago, a primordial Chaos Dragon almost destroyed everything before being sealed away, but now signs suggest that history may be repeating itself. As cults and dark forces begin to move behind the scenes, a new group of unexpected heroes are drawn into the center of the growing crisis, fighting to prevent an ancient evil from rising again. Through real-time combat and party-based character switching, players enter a world caught between a fading divinity and mechanical progress, where the past refuses to be buried.
Who is that character?
Check out the silhouette before time runs out.
start
Check out the silhouette before time runs out.
Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Eternal Death (2.5 seconds)
Core features of Heart of Gaia
- A vast steampunk world — Explore a vast fantasy environment with a steampunk aesthetic.
- Party-based RPG elements — Build and control a party with a variety of skills.
- Real-time battle system — Battle through dynamic real-time action battles.
- Character switching mechanism — Swap party members during battle.
- soul-like challenge — Contains tough fights and exploratory challenges.
- Emphasis on Exploration — Explore large areas and discover secrets.
- Rich knowledge and stories — A story based on ancient mysteries and conflicts.
It's easy to tell just by looking at it. heart of gaia It's not your typical RPG, as its art style and presentation set it apart from almost every other game in the genre. This is not done in the HD-2D pixel art style of some of Square Enix's latest games, such as: Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD – 2D RemakeThat's not the realistic style of modern JRPGs. final fantasy 16And it doesn't bring back retro RPGs from the SNES era. Instead, opt for an oil painting-like visual that appears hand-painted but is highly detailed.
where heart of gaia You're aiming to really stand out, but you're in a battle. While many modern RPGs often choose between turn-based combat and simple real-time mechanics, heart of gaia It leans fully into the action RPG genre, with character swapping during combat allowing players better access to unique situations. Instead of relying on a single protagonist, players rotate through a roster of six playable characters with unique fighting styles and abilities. playing the same game Octopath Traveler Because of the party swapping mechanic, this kind of real-time character switching is somewhat rare in the RPG genre, especially when it means swapping between playstyles rather than just character models.
Six playable characters from Heart of Gaia
- Oleg the Log — Shaped by tragedy, the shadow warrior was summoned to Etheria with a desire for vengeance.
- alexander paladin — Captain of the Northern Infantry and a faithful member of the Holy Knights who embody honor and justice.
- Wizard Balthazar — A mystical scholar on a secret mission to track down rogue wizards, analytical and knowledgeable about forbidden magic.
- Priestess Catherine — A priestess of light known for her compassion and powerful white magic.
- Huntress Sigra — A vigilant and practical elven archer and elite sentinel of the Dark Forest.
- monk leora — A trained monk from a floating island, dedicated to protecting the sacred seal against the dark curse.
From the looks of things, heart of gaia's diverse character roster isn't just for combat. This is because each party member contributes to the seemingly narrative-driven game world. In traditional JRPGs, character arcs often make up the emotional core of the story. final fantasy series and heart of gaia I think I will continue that tradition. The combination of personalities, backgrounds, and skills within the roster should theoretically add depth to the game's combat, as well as character development and relationship dynamics between them.
Instead of relying on a single protagonist, players rotate through a roster of six playable characters with unique fighting styles and abilities.
Narration aside, heart of gaia It features a “vast” world worth exploring. There is limited information that can be provided about the game world beyond what players can see in the game demo. But they can explore a variety of steampunk-themed environments, and the rich world of lore will make each area feel like a place with its own unique history, scars, and unanswerable questions.
one of the following heart of gaia's Steam tag indicates that it is an open world game, but there is no confirmation that it is fully open world.
Heart of Gaia's small scale may work to its advantage
When comparing heart of gaia Something like final fantasyIt is important to acknowledge scale differences. final fantasy Games often come with huge budgets, cinematic cutscenes, and global marketing pushes. heart of gaiaon the other hand, is a smaller, indie-focused project, but that's something that can work in its favor. Freed from the pressure of having to live up to blockbuster expectations, Brokentail Games appears to be focusing on the core elements that made its best RPGs so beloved by the industry.
There are still many unknowns. The final balance, how fast the story will progress, and how deep the character development will be are all unknown. heart of gaiaRelease of . But based on what's publicly visible, the RPG announcement stands out in a crowded space by promising a more intimate, yet still ambitious take on the genre. If it continues ahead of release, it could very well satisfy RPG fans looking for the emotional beats they've been missing lately. final fantasy You can enjoy the game without falling into old tropes.
heart of gaia start on steam In the first quarter of 2026.
