LEVEL-5, the studio developer behind beloved franchises like Professor Layton and Yo-Kai Watch, is gearing up for exciting reveals and updates on upcoming titles in today’s Vision Showcase and at TGS 2024.
LEVEL-5 to Showcase New Reveals, Information on Upcoming Games, and More!
LEVEL-5 Vision 2024 Games Lineup and TGS 2024 Announcements
Professor Layton’s hat just got a little tighter, as LEVEL-5, the studio behind hits like Ni No Kuni and Inazuma Eleven, is teasing a bombshell announcement in its Vision 2024 later today, September 2024.
Anticipation has been building ever since LEVEL-5 first announced the event, hinting at a lineup that would include both brand new titles and updates on previously announced projects. According to the developer’s website, fans can expect to see new information on titles like:
⚫︎ Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, the latest entry in the popular soccer RPG series
⚫︎ Professor Layton and the New World of Steam, the highly anticipated return of the puzzle-solving professor
⚫︎ Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, the next installment in the charming life-simulation RPG series
⚫︎ DecaPolice, a crime-suspense RPG
⚫︎ Updates for Megaton Musashi W: Wired, a mecha action RPG released back in April
Fans of Professor Layton are particularly excited for the showcase, as this marks the first mainline entry in the said series in over a decade.
For Tokyo Game Show 2024, LEVEL-5 announced that their upcoming broadcast, "A Challenge Invitation from LEVEL5," will include guests Ichijou Ririka of ReGLOSS, voice actress Yoshioka Mayu, and Dice-K.
The stream will showcase gameplay from three playable titles at the LEVEL-5 booth, along with additional information on the upcoming games. Viewers can participate in challenges for each game and win prizes like an Inazuma Eleven Raimon Uniform hand fan, an original Fantasy Life bandana (design to be revealed), and a Professor Layton Hint Coin Keyring. Booth visitors will receive a unique A4-sized clear file that unfolds like a picture book.
For LEVEL-5’s schedule and what’s in store for fans of video games in Tokyo Game Show 2024, you can read our article below!
Rumored LEVEL-5 Games That Might Get Announced
Yo-Kai Watch Ghost Craft
Beyond the confirmed titles, there are still two unannounced titles slated to appear in today’s Vision Showcase. One is "a completely new title," as confirmed by LEVEL-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino during last year’s Vision presentation, and the other is widely speculated to be a sequel to an existing franchise.
For the latter, the possibility of a new Yo-Kai Watch game has been a hot topic, especially since Yo-Kai Watch Ghost Craft was teased during LEVEL-5’s Vision 2023 II. Given that "Ghost Craft" was trademarked on December of last year, it’s highly likely that the game would make an appearance with more information during Vision 2024.
Ushiro for the Nintendo Switch
Another game that has been speculated to appear at Vision 2024 is Ushiro, a supernatural horror game that vanished from public view in 2010 after its initial announcement in 2008. Despite Hino’s mention of "new developments" for Ushiro in 2014, their 2016 broadcast confirmed that the company would not be moving forward with the franchise.
However, during LEVEL-5’s 20th anniversary celebration in 2018, Famitsu playfully suggested that Hino cancel Ushiro so that they could remove it from their upcoming games list, as it had consistently appeared on Famitsu’s Most Wanted reader polls. Hino responded by jokingly proposing that Famitsu move the game to the Switch category.
White Knight Chronicles 3, Maybe? Fans are Hoping
While less well-known, some fans hope to see LEVEL-5 revive the White Knight Chronicles series, a Japanese RPG developed in collaboration with Japan Studio (now merged with Astro Bot’s Team Asobi). The series, consisting only of three games—White Knight Chronicles 1, its sequel, and a prequel for the PlayStation Portable—received mixed reviews but garnered a small following.
There is currently no concrete evidence for a sequel, but it’s not impossible to dream, at least.
Whichever it is, LEVEL-5 is surely cooking up something good. Vision 2024 kicks off later today, September 24, at 5:00 A.M. PT / 8:00 A.M. ET / 1:00 P.M. BST. You can tune in live on YouTube to witness them unveil the new titles in their repertoire of games.
Source:
LEVEL5 VISION 2024 TO THE WORLD’S CHILDREN
LEVEL-5 TGS 2024 Live Broadcast Announcement
Yo-kai Watch Ghost Craft Teaser Trailer - Yo-kai Watch 5 ? - Level-5 Vision 2023 II
"GHOST CRAFT" Trademarked by LEVEL-5
Gematus | Ushiro revival teased for Switch
