After the sci-fi stylings of 13 Sentinels, Vanillaware is bringing back some fantasy flair. Its 2007 PS2 title GrimGrimoire is getting a remaster for current platforms. Japanese tipster Ryokuya2089 uncovered an announcement revealing GrimGrimoire OnceMore, an updated rerelease in the works for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch. It’s slated for release on July 28, 2022 in Japan.
Co-developed alongside Nippon Ichi, GrimGrimoire was technically the first game released under the Vanillaware name in Japan. (Overseas publishers put Odin Sphere out first.) It was an unusual game at the time: A real-time strategy title that operated on a 2D, side-scrolling plane, but featuring Vanillaware’s distinct art style. The game takes place in the magical academy known as the Tower of the Silver Star. On her first day at school, protagonist and novice witch Lillet is trapped in a five-day time loop that sees the entire academy destroyed. She must learn more about the mystery of the loop while saving the tower’s inhabitants to find a way to break free, commanding familiars and spellcraft to defeat her foes. Some of its concepts expressed in GrimGrimoire would go on to inspire the development of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim.
GrimGrimoire OnceMore is in development for the PS4 and Nintendo Switch and will contain some improvements to address deficiencies in the original release. These include widescreen, high-resolution artwork and graphics, and a gallery mode. Mechanically, fast-forward functions for the battle and story, and mid-mission saving will improve the play experience. Adjustments to the difficulty will also smooth out some of the rougher spots in the balance. A skill tree will also add an element of progression and let players improve their units. Further, a new set of spells called “Great Magic” will be added, across four elements, and with new cut-in effects when being cast.
The game’s voice acting is also being recorded with a new voice cast. The cast is listed below.
- Lillet Blan – Saeki Iori (King Halo in Uma Musume, Vanilla in Nekopara)
- Margarita Surprise – Miharu Hanai (Twin Turbo in Uma Musume, Tomoe Murakami in Idolmaster Cinderella Girls)
- Gammel – Teruo Seki
- Advocat – Hiromichi Tezuka (Weisz Steiner in Edens Zero, Takeru Mikimoto in Lost Judgment)
GrimGrimoire OnceMore will appear on the Nintendo Switch and PS4 on July 28, 2022 in Japan. International releases have not yet been announced. Other Vanillaware remasters, like Dragon’s Crown Pro and Odin Sphere Leifthrasir, are available on PS4.
