Tencent has breathed new life into the anime-style RPG genre with its latest title, Return Loop. This open-world action RPG has quickly captured attention thanks to its dynamic combat system and deep narrative freedom, drawing comparisons to the classic Baldur’s Gate series but with a fresh anime twist.
The game’s first-look trailer and nearly ten minutes of gameplay footage have amassed over a million views on Bilibili within just a few hours, highlighting the strong interest from players. What sets Return Loop apart is its innovative branching storylines where player choices significantly impact the plot and character outcomes, avoiding the common pitfall of meaningless bad endings. The inclusion of a dice-roll mechanic to determine action success adds an engaging layer of unpredictability reminiscent of tabletop RPGs.
Developed by Saros Studio, a team with roots in ByteDance and experience from titles like Destiny Trigger, Return Loop represents Tencent’s first foray into open-world anime RPGs. The game emphasizes role-playing and story immersion over environmental puzzles, placing players in the role of the “Return Looper,” a character who can rewind time to alter fate and save the world. This narrative device draws inspiration from popular anime such as Re:Zero and Summer Time Rendering.
Combat in Return Loop is fluid and strategic, featuring a unique “Guardian Spirit” system that allows players to control two characters simultaneously. The game also introduces the “Glide Box,” a versatile vehicle that enhances exploration across land, sea, and air, adding to the open-world experience.
NPC interactions are enriched by AI-driven responses to player text input, creating dynamic conversations and chain reactions. Additionally, a GTA-style wanted system adds consequences for hostile actions, further immersing players in the game world.
The development team’s goal is to push the boundaries of anime RPGs by focusing on free role-playing and narrative depth, moving beyond mere gameplay mechanics. Return Loop signals a maturing market for anime-style open-world RPGs, promising a rich and engaging experience for fans of the genre.
As the game approaches its official release, players eagerly await to explore its expansive world and uncover the many story branches shaped by their choices.
