[RETRO GAMING] Do You Remember ‘Skies of Arcadia’?

If you're fan of the Skies of Arcadia, perhaps you're one of those who have been waiting for a sequel all these years.

During the 20^th anniversary of the game in 2020, Kenji Hiruta, ex-developer of the Skies of Arcadia at Sega, hinted over Twitter that a sequel might happen in the future. But two years after, the hope for a sequel has gone bleak.

The game was quite popular when it was released in 2000. In fact, it is frequently regarded as one of the best games for the Dreamcast. More than two decades after it was launched, does it still have the same charm that it used to have?

[RETRO GAMING] Do You Remember ‘Skies of Arcadia’? — Harper Jay/ screen grabbed from Harper Jay Twitter

How Does the Gameplay of the 'Skies of Arcadia' Work?

Skies of Arcadia is a role-playing video game, which was developed by Overworks for the Dreamcast. The game was published by Sega in 2000.

In the game, players control Vyse, a young air pirate, and his friends. They try to stop the fictional Valuan Empire from reviving ancient weapons, which could potentially set the world into chaos.

In 2002, a port for the GameCube, retitled as Skies of Arcadia Legends, was released, as per Dual Shockers.

Skies of Arcadia has an emphasis on world exploration. Its gameplay has similarities to early 3D Final Fantasyand Dragon Quest games.

To earn points in the game, the player engages enemies in turn-based battles.

The game's overworld has six regions, which can be explored by flying airships in 3D space. Players will be rewarded with extra points when they discover hidden locations.

As the world map starts out blank, players chart it through exploration. Throughout exploration, the player may recruit characters.

When players are docked on landmasses or warships, they have to explore on foot. Thus, the gameplay alternates between exploring cities and making progress through the dungeons.

Players visit cities to buy equipment in order to make the character stronger. It is also necessary to interact with non-playable characters for the story to progress.

Players also need to explore dungeons in the format of a maze. Players need to navigate it to obtain beneficial items in treasure chests while taking on enemies in random battles.

The Sequel of the 'Skies of Arcadia' That Never Materialized

On October 5, 2020, the Skies of Arcadia celebrated its 20^th anniversary.

During the celebration of its 20^th anniversary, developer Kenji Hiruta has renewed calls for a sequel to the RPG. Hiruta was one of the programmers on the Skies of Arcadia.

With the anniversary celebration, he offered to send one fan an exclusive piece of artwork if they spread the word regarding the call for the game's sequel.

The art that Hiruta offered came from Itsuki Hoshi, another Skies of Arcadia developer. To participate, all you have to do is retweet Hiruta's message.

The idea behind the call is that Sega will notice it and will decide to renew its long-abandoned plans for a Skies of Arcadia 2, according to Eurogamer.

However, the call for a sequel failed as two years after, Sega still not developed a remaster of the game.