Summary
PQube has announced the release date forSky Oceans: Wings for Hire, a JRPG that pays homage to classics, especiallySkies of Arcadia.Skies of Arcadiais aclassic RPG by Sega, released in 2000 for the Dreamcast, where players took on the role of a young sky pirate exploring airborne landmasses.Sky Oceans: Wings for Hirewas unveiled in 2023 when PQube shared a teaser announcement, followed by more gameplay details during the Guerrilla Collective 2024 Livestream.
Sky Oceans: Wings for Hirewears its JRPG inspiration on its sleeve. In all its trailers, PQube emphasized that the game is a tribute to JRPG classics, and fans soon realized that one of its main influences isSkies of Arcadia. Both RPGs share a setting centered on aerial exploration, with dogfights, a ragtag crew of sky pirates, and boundless exploration. For years, fans have beenclamoring for aSkies of Arcadiaremaster, but despite rumors, nothing has been confirmed yet.
For now, nostalgicSkies of Arcadiafans can check outSky Oceans: Wings for Hire, which had its release date revealed in a recent trailer. The RPG is set to launch on October 10 for Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.Sky Oceans: Wings for Hireputsplayers in the role of a sky piratenamed Glenn Windwalker on an adventure where he must recruit a reliable crew.
Sky Oceans: Wings for Hire Release Date
Sky Oceans: Wings for Hirewill feature turn-based combat, but unlikeother JRPG-inspired games, the characters won’t engage in direct hand-to-hand combat. Instead, they’ll fight with a fleet of airships. Players need to customize each airship with new parts like frames, armor, engines, weapons, and instruments to strengthen their forces. However, attention must also be given to individual crew members, as each one will have their own level, affinity with others, and even favorite foods, which provide temporary buffs when consumed.
Octeto Studios is the studio behindSky Oceans: Wings for Hire’sdevelopment, and the game is yet another JRPG-inspired project for players to look forward to. Last year, theaward-winningSea of Starswas released, an RPG created by the Canadian studio Sabotage Studio, with solid inspirations from JRPGs likeSuper Mario RPGandChrono Trigger. This year,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33was revealed by the French studio Sandfall Interactive, and according to studio founder Guillaume Broche, the game draws inspiration fromFinal Fantasy, theTales ofseries,Lost Odyssey, andPersona. Only time will tell ifSky Oceans: Wings for Hirecan truly honorSkies of Arcadiaor if it’s simply using that inspiration as a marketing strategy.
