Compile Heart has revealed a slate of releases for 2025, expanding its reach beyond traditional RPGs. Highlights include Scarlet Salvation , the company's first souls-like game, and Magical Librarian Ariana: The Book of the Seven Heroes , a side-scrolling action RPG. The developer also confirmed the development of Zalesta Neptunia franchise , which celebrates its 15th anniversary.
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By expanding into new game styles, Compile Heart seeks to diversify its product line without abandoning its identity. "Our goal is to innovate and offer experiences that surprise players ," said Tominaga, the company's producer.
Expansion of genres and new bets
In recent years, Compile Heart has been exploring new creative directions. In 2024, the studio released Touhou Spell Carnival and Madou Monogatari: Fia and the Mysterious School , expanding its reach beyond traditional RPGs.
Now, the company plans to take an even bigger step, focusing on new genres within its portfolio. "We're always thinking about how we can innovate ," Tominaga emphasized. According to him, 2025 will be a year focused on completely original titles, each one presenting unique challenges for the development team.
Among the announced projects, Zalesta stands out. Compile Heart's new shooter was developed in partnership with veterans of the Zanac and Aleste , two classics of the genre. The title will feature innovative mechanics, but details have not yet been revealed.
Scarlet Salvation: Futuristic Soulslike with TPS Combat
The highlight of the presentation was Scarlet Salvation , a challenging souls-like action game. The title will be a TPS (Third-Person Shooter), a significant departure within the genre, which typically focuses on melee combat.
Aoki, the game's producer, stated that Compile Heart aims to create a balanced experience, ensuring a high level of difficulty without making the gameplay frustrating. To this end, Scarlet Salvation will offer ten weapon types, some with auto-aim, allowing players less familiar with shooters to enjoy the game.
The futuristic setting reinforces the intense action tone. The game will follow Willow, the protagonist, and her relationship with a military AI, both voiced by industry heavyweights: Fairouz Ai and Junichi Suwabe. The dialogue will unfold in real time, seamlessly, making the narrative more fluid.
Magical Librarian Ariana: Magic and Adventure in an Action RPG
On the other hand, while Scarlet Salvation focuses on high difficulty, Magical Librarian Ariana: The Book of the Seven Heroes will take a more accessible approach. Set in a mysterious fantasy world, the title will be a side-scrolling action RPG.
In the game, players control Ariana, a young librarian who wields special spells known as "librarian magic." The core mechanics are based on combining spells, allowing for varied strategies during combat.
Aoki emphasized that Magical Librarian Ariana will be a game suitable for all audiences, without the complexity or extreme difficulty seen in Scarlet Salvation. More details about the gameplay and story will be revealed in spring 2025.
Updates on Calamity Angels and the Neptunia Celebration
Compile Heart also shared news about previously announced titles. Two games delayed from 2024 are now scheduled for release: Deliver It! Battle! Calamity Angels will arrive in summer 2025, while Zalesta remains in development.
However, unlike traditional games, Calamity Angels will feature a system in which secondary characters act independently, making decisions independently of the player. This approach promises to make combat more unpredictable and dynamic.
Another major announcement was the confirmation of a new numbered game in the Neptunia series, celebrating the franchise's 15th anniversary. Since Neptunia VII (2015), the series has only released spin-offs, and now Compile Heart promises a return to its roots. "We're using everything we learned from the spin-offs to create something truly special ," said Yasui, the series' producer.
A promising year for Compile Heart fans
With a diverse slate of releases and a focus on new genres, Compile Heart demonstrates a commitment to evolving its identity as a developer. Whether it's the intense challenges of Scarlet Salvation, the accessible gameplay of Magical Librarian Ariana, or the long-awaited return of Neptunia, 2025 promises to be a year packed with new content for the studio's fans. Compile Heart will release more information about each title in the coming months.
