Narrative Rpg Sky of Tides Highlighted During the Summer Games Fest

Lofty Sky’s story-driven sci-fi adventure, Sky of Tides, offers a new take on the genre with balance at its core. Players who achieve balance and unlock true ending will see an exclusive animated series unlocked in the game

Indie publisher ESDigital Games and Toronto-based studio Lofty Sky Entertainment have returned triumphant from the Summer Game Fest, where their upcoming title, Sky of Tides, made waves among attendees. Set to release later this year on multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, Sky of Tides promises a gripping narrative experience with RPG elements set in a fractured, futuristic world.

Sky of Tides unfolds on Numen9, a planet ravaged by cataclysm. Its seas now float in the sky, and the land is split into nine fragments. Players embark on a journey as Rin, determined to uncover the mystery behind her father’s disappearance and to restore balance to this fragmented world. Along the way, Rin encounters a diverse array of characters, each offering choices that influence both her fate and the destiny of Numen9.

Balancing Act: 32 Endings Await

What sets Sky of Tides apart is its narrative depth and the unprecedented complexity of its branching paths. The game boasts an impressive 32 endings, each shaped not only by player choices but by the balance of five key character attributes: compassion, intelligence, courage, luck, and humor.

Creative director Judith Cheung explains, “Achieving balance among these attributes isn’t just a gameplay mechanic—it’s integral to the story’s theme of restoring harmony to a fractured world.”

Unlocking the True Ending and Beyond

Central to Sky of Tides is its concept of balance. Players striving for equilibrium among Rin’s traits will unlock the game’s true ending—a narrative culmination that rewards players with more than just closure. Upon achieving this milestone during the initial release period, players will gain access to Sky of Tides: Atla, an exclusive five-episode animated series set in Numen9.

This innovative transmedia experience seamlessly integrates the game’s world with an original narrative extension, offering deeper insights into the lore and characters of Sky of Tides.

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

Sky of Tides isn’t just breaking new ground with its gameplay mechanics and storytelling—it’s also championing inclusivity within the gaming industry. Developed by a team that includes senior game designer Lan Roed and creative director Judith Cheung, the game resonates with diverse audiences.

Senior game designer Lan Roed and creative director Judith Cheung both grew up in a time where games were dominated by males. Now, with females accounting for half of the gaming population, they believe the world is becoming more inclusive and that games should reflect that change.

“Lofty Sky as a studio is majority owned by a BIPOC woman. The studio encourages a creative environment that tries things that go beyond the traditional male gaming demographic, even though this game can be enjoyed by all genders. In our playtesting feedback, a lot of guys enjoyed Sky of Tides and its storylines too,” said Cheung. “Making the lead protagonists young females in both the game and TV series was a natural decision, and it was important to me when creating character models to ensure women weren’t sexualized. I feel a great source of pride in making something I can enjoy with my girls knowing they are represented in the IP because I didn’t have that growing up.”

Key Features:

• A unique and in-depth world design where the oceans are floating in the sky.
• Player choices help shape Rin’s character and fate.
• 32 distinct endings based on the player’s character stats.
• An approach to RPGs that is different from traditional min-maxing. The dev team believes this kind of anti-RPG approach will appeal to players looking for a different type of experience and those who appreciate when developers innovate with mechanics to align with the story..
• More streamlined than a traditional RPG and more interactive than most visual novels.
• Transmedia IP, which has both a game and animated TV series in the same world is unique for an indie studio.
• If players beat the game by maintaining a balance of stats, they’ll unlock the TV series “Atla” for free.

Sky of Tides is scheduled for release on PC via Steam and the Epic Game Store, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One and X/S consoles, and the Nintendo Switch later this year. Players eager to dive into this innovative sci-fi adventure can wishlist the game now on Steam or visit ESDigital Games for more information and updates.

In an industry hungry for innovation and inclusivity, Sky of Tides stands out not only as a compelling gaming experience but also as a beacon for the future of narrative-driven RPGs. As anticipation builds for its release, one thing is clear: the skies of Numen9 hold limitless possibilities for those brave enough to explore them.