Exploring Edge of Memories: A New Chapter in French JRPG
For many players, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 may mark their introduction to JRPGs not developed by Japanese studios. However, this title from Sandfall Interactive is far from the first of its kind from France.Midgar Studio, known for their previous release Edge of Eternity, has been crafting delightful open-world JRPGs influenced by iconic franchises such as Final Fantasy and Xenogears.
Edge of Eternity offered players an expansive world complemented by a strategic turn-based combat system, marking a significant milestone in indie JRPGs. As the team gears up to launch their new project, Edge of Memories, fans can expect a different experience that could captivate a new audience.
First Impressions at Gamescom
During Gamescom 2025, I had the opportunity to experience a preview of Edge of Memories, accompanied by insights from Jérémy Zeler-Maury, the founder and CEO of Midgar Studio. His enthusiasm echoed the passion he displayed back in 2016 when I first encountered Edge of Eternity. As I navigated the game controlled by the character Eline, a Soul Whisperer battling the mysterious Corrosion plague, I couldn’t help but draw parallels with last year’s Visions of Mana.
Zeler-Maury confirmed that several players had expressed similar thoughts, mistaking Edge of Memories for the newly unveiled title in the Mana series. While these similarities may affect perceptions, it’s crucial to note that Edge of Memories has been in development since long before Visions of Mana was announced. Moreover, despite sharing a vibrant art style, Midgar Studio’s new title appears to deliver a deeper and more engaging combat experience.
Gameplay Dynamics
Though my playtime was limited, the demo effectively showcased innovative exploration and traversal mechanics. Players will need to harness elemental powers to unlock pathways, which blend seamlessly with light platforming challenges. Interestingly, the game world presented a genuine sense of scale, allowing me to journey towards any visually appealing area, although this could vary in the final version.
Combat is where Edge of Memories truly distinguishes itself. The gameplay feels markedly more dynamic compared to Visions of Mana. Players can engage in a variety of combo strings and switch abilities quickly, creating a uniquely action-oriented experience reminiscent of NieR Automata. As I faced a challenging boss, complete with area-of-effect attacks highlighted by red circles, the combat’s fluidity was evident. Although I had limited time to explore the combat systems thoroughly, controlling Eline was smooth and engaging, even without an extensive understanding of the mechanics.
Looking Ahead
With Nacon set to publish the title following their acquisition of Midgar Studio in 2022, Edge of Memories is expected to launch without an Early Access phase. Scheduled for release next year on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, anticipation builds. I eagerly await its release, curious to discover what deeper experiences Edge of Memories may hold beyond the promising glimpse provided at Gamescom.
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