Acquire shared a bunch of new information on their upcoming action RPG Akiba’s Beat, with a look at key characters, numerous battle details, how music will come into play, and extra scenarios.
Leader (CV: Katsuyuki Konishi)
The leader of the Akihabara Vigilance Committee, and simply known as Leader by its members. His actual name, age, and everything about him remains unknown. He has deep love for Akihabara. He’s a man of justice who destroys the eroded delusions to bring peace back to Akihabara.
The Leader’s long rifle shots take a while to charge, but they’re powerful.
Akarai Hozuki (CV: Eri Suzuki)
16-years-old, and second-year high school student. She has a young appearance along with speech and behavior that goes with it. She loves arcade centers and prizes. She worries a bit about her younger twin sister Aoi’s shy personality, and takes on the older sister role with her, by making her join the Akihabara Vigilance Committee and such.
She specializes in tonfas and will fight using tricky attacks.
Aoi Hozuki (CV: Masumi Tazawa)
16-years-old, and Akari’s younger twin sister, and also a member of the Akihabara Vigilance Committee. She’s calm and quiet compared to Akari, and is more proper in terms of behavior and dutiful than her sister. She always worries about the leader and Akari.
Mikado Kurosaki (CV: Junichi Suwabe)
Director of the mysterious organization known as the Administration Bureau of Delusions. The organization isn’t publicized and everything about it is shrouded in mystery. He believes that delusions are needed to further develop the world into a better place.
Kasuga Yuuki (CV: Yasuaki Takumi)
28-year-old, general manager of the research office of the Administration Bureau of Delusions, tall with a good sense of style and smarts. He appears to be an acquaintance of Reiji’s, and looks down on Asahi and the others.
Mari Tojo (CV: Rina Sato)
26-years-old, chief of the research office of the Administration Bureau of Delusions. She’s an elite who investigates the Delusions Contractor Kanon. She never breaks out of her calm manners, but seems to have some kind of relation with Reiji as well.
Shareko Ube (CV: Rie Murakawa)
A mysterious black market seller who appears in different areas such as Akihabara and the Delusion Palaces. Based on her figure and voice, it’s speculated that she’s female but details remain unclear. She’s always thinking of business and different ways to make money. You’ll find her running her “Private Black Market” shop in the Delusion Palace, and she’ll also provide quests in Akihabara.
In Akiba’s Trip, you can activate the “Imagine Mode” by simply filling up the Imagine Gauge that accumulates with attacks and activating it. The Imagine Gauge increases in stages as you advance through the story, and the Imagine Mode varies based on equipment.
The stages of the Imagine Mode increase according to your weapon, and become more powerful. You can make it goes into its ultimate form at the fifth stage.
While in Imagine Mode, you can input buttons after certain skills to activate super powerful EX Skills, which come with their own cut-scenes for each character.
When you activate Imagine Mode with the Imagine Gauge filled up all the way, a headphone cut-in appears and the “Imagine Field” activates. While inside the Imagine Field, all members go into Imagine Mode. The Imagine Field creates flashy battles that feature a unique presentation for each song and character. Again, a new parameter marked as “Rate” and “Total” appear as well.
Total shows the attack power while Rate shows the scale that goes into Total, to give you a better idea of how much damage you’ll be dealing to the enemies. While inside the Imagine Field, the Rate changes according to the upsurge of the music, and your fighting style affects the Total.
There are exclusive presentations with each song having their own tempo and themes for the Imagine Field. The field designs are made to fit each character’s characteristics.
There are a total of 12 songs that you can use in battle. Each of the seven main characters have their own original character songs. Additionally, voice actress Yuuko Kawanishi appears in the game appears as herself to perform for some of the songs.
Akiba’s Beat theme song “again” by ClariS unlocks upon beating the game.
While Imagine Mode sounds like a good way to gain the upper hand on enemies, keep in mind that two characters in Mikado Kurosaki and Kasuga Yuuki from Administration Bureau of Delusions can activate it as well.
Similar to personal computers, there are “Personal Weapons” for all seven characters that can be customized and enhanced. Parts for it can be purchased from shops or acquired as rare items from places such as the Delusion Palace.
And finally, not much is known about these for the time being, but Akiba’s Beat offers sub-scenarios that unlock upon meeting various conditions. These feature scenarios that will tell you more about the seven main characters. There are also sub-events that will tell you more about the non-main characters, where you’ll get to learn more about their backgrounds, and their connections to the world. Some of these will only be available after beating the game.
Akiba’s Beat will release in Japan on October 13, 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.
