Live A Live on Switch brings a 1994 JRPG to the west for the first time

RPG fans were shown something special on the Nintendo Direct this morning, with Live A Live announced and shown off.

Previously unreleased outside of Japan back in 1994(!), Live A Live features seven different stories featuring different protagonists, time periods and gameplay styles. More than just a re-release however, this is a true glow-up, as it has a slick HD-2D style that is reminiscent of Octopath Traveler or the upcoming Triangle Strategy. It looks just gorgeous.

The stories you’ll encounter are quite varied, too. In the Wild West, a wanderer with a bounty on his head fights for his life; In the Twilight of Edo Japan, a shinobi undertakes a secret mission. We also see a prehistory tribesman in a world without words, and a Kung Fu master searching for a worthy successor in Imperial China, among others. You can tackle the stories in any order you want, too. It looks to provide a lot of very interesting ideas, with the hint at other stories as well.

Developed and published back in the day by Square for the Super Famicom, I’d never heard of this game before today if I’m being totally honest, but that hasn’t stopped it from quickly sky-rocketing to the top of my most wanted list.

Live a Live launches for Nintendo Switch on July 22nd and is available for pre-order now.