Don’t Let Earth’s Dawn Go Unnoticed This Fall

Amidst the massive swaths of AAA titles this fall, tiny little indie gems hide, just waiting to be uncovered and circulated throughout the gaming community. Unfortunately, some of these titles are short lived, only having a small amount of exposure or recognition when released, even if they prove to be amazing experiences. This is a true travesty of the gaming industry, and the reason why you should be keeping your eye on Earth’s Dawn.

Earth’s Dawn (known as Earth Wars in Japan) is a 2D action-RPG developed by OneorEight and published by Rising Star Games. If that name sounds familiar it’s because Rising Star also published the incredibly polarizing and divisive Deadly Premonition, an open-world survival horror game with a reputation for remarkable strangeness. Rising Star Games is a publisher that’s committed to bringing more unique titles over to the west, and Earth’s Dawn reflects this mission statement.

Set in a dystopian Tokyo where the alien “E.B.E” race has taken over, Earth’s Dawn has created a world that is undeniably Japanese. The art style oozes classic manga influences like Akira and Ghost in the Shell. The action and animations feel like watching an episode of Attack on Titan, with swooping aerials and aggressive sword swipes. Fans of Japanimation will be right at home here. But even if you’ve never heard of Akira in your life, there’s plenty here for fans of deep and satisfying action-RPG mechanics.

The combat in Earth’s Dawn will be very familiar to those who have ever played a 2D action game such as Muramasa Rebirth or Dragon’s Crown. However, the game feels unique thanks to specific moves tied to the analog sticks, likening it to more to a fighting game when pulling off long strings of combos and complex juggles. But don’t let this deter you, as the developers have tuned the systems of Earth’s Dawn to be accessible to both hardcore players that wish to “S” rank every mission, and casual players that just wish to play through each mission for pure enjoyment.

If you’re wondering why you are fighting the dangerous E.B.E race, the Rising Star Games website describes the story as:

After decades of peace, the Earth was decimated by an invasion from an alien race known to humans as E.B.E. The E.B.E. moved across the planet, consuming anything in their path and proved impervious to existing weapons. Ahead of the impending annihilation a breakthrough was made – the E.B.E. was susceptible to damage by weaponry designed using its very own technology. The power to fight back was now in the hands of an elite fighting force.

Earth’s Dawn knows exactly what it is: a fun 2D action-RPG with great mechanics and a wholly Japanese style. This is a game to watch this fall season, especially for fans of indie games. For a full review, check back in to GameSkinny after the game releases for PS4, Xbox One, and PC on November 1st.