At the beginning of this month, mobile-game developer Netmarble launched their newest title The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. Already having proven itself in Japanese market, being rated #1 in the Japanese app store. In addition, pre-orders for the title exceeded one million, showing exactly how excited fans are for the game.
One of the biggest draws to this mobile title is the nostalgia factor connected to the anime series of the same name. This game isn't a spin-off or something that is barely connected -- on the contrary, it allows you to re-live the story and scenes from the first two seasons of the anime. With the original voice actors on hand for the experience, including any new lines that needed to be recorded, this is definitely a game that many fans of the anime series are excited about.
Developer Netmarble was nice enough to chat with us about the mobile title, revealing all they can about it. We go in depth about what the game is about and what is to come. Take a look at their comments below to see what you make of it yourself!
Joe: The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross is already a huge hit in the Japanese market since the game was rated #1 in the Japanese app store. What is it about your game that you feel allowed it to nab such a prestigious spot?
Netmarble: For fans who love the series, we put a lot of effort towards applying all the Animated expressions from the show onto 3D models of the characters through multiple experiments and development processes. As a result, we think fans really appreciated the high graphical quality and how smooth the game runs on mobile devices. For players that were not as familiar with the show, we think the battle mechanics and rich cut-scenes really stood out to them.
Joe: Do you think that the English-speaking audience will be as receptive to The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross as the Japanese gamers?
Netmarble: We’ve seen that JRPG games and anime are becoming increasingly popular with English-speaking audiences, so we think The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross is going to be welcomed thanks to the game’s unique battle mechanics and the IP’s rising popularity in the west.
Joe: The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross is based off of the show. Will fans of the series see a parallel to the story with nostalgic moments being played out or is it all new events spinning out of the world of The Seven Deadly Sins?
Netmarble: The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross allows players to experience the story of the first two seasons of the anime through cinematic fights, rich animated cut-scenes, and questlines that require the player to explore the world of the anime. There will also be some unique new moments for fans to enjoy.
Joe: The game features voice acting by the original Japanese voice actors. Is this something that was done working with those team members, or did you utilize existing voice clips from the characters that the studio had from the series and simply add them to the game?
Netmarble: We used some voice clips from the animation and also recorded additional voices for in-game skills with the voice actors.
Joe: Are there subtitles for the Japanese voice acting and is there an English version featuring different voice actors or is it simply the Japanese version? If not, are you planning on adding English voice acting down the line?
Netmarble: We conducted research through interviews with global fans of the original IP, and they gave us their feedback that they enjoyed the Japanese voices recorded by the original actors.
Joe: Netmarble has made games for other existing intellectual properties before, but with this being a hit anime is there another in the genre that your team would like to adapt into a mobile game? Maybe Full Metal Alchemist or My Hero Academia?
Netmarble: - We’re always keeping our eye on popular anime properties, but we can’t reveal anything at this time.
Joe: I noticed this game has a card aspect to it. Could you explain a little bit more about that to us?
Netmarble: Each character a player places on their team comes with three cards. When a player starts a match, they are dealt seven random cards based on which characters they have equipped. The player can then play a card to trigger an attack move, a defense move, or a heal. If the player manages to have two of the same cards next to each-other in their hand, those two cards will combine and upgrade their star level. The higher the star level, the better the skill effects.
All cards are dealt to the player at star level one and they can reach a maximum of star level three through combining. Battles against enemies are turn-based. Each turn, the player can make a set number of actions that include playing a card, moving a card, or skipping a move. Each time a card from a specific character is played, that character gains an energy point.
Once a character gains enough energy points, the player is dealt that character’s Ultimate Card. The player can then play an Ultimate Card to trigger epic skills, each with their own unique animation. The result is a fun, strategic, and action-packed combat system that players are sure to enjoy and master.
Joe: The game was already released in Japan so even though this is coming out in March, some players overseas are already familiar with it. Does that mean that the game will basically stay as is from its launch forward or will there be more added to the mobile game as time goes on?
Netmarble: The global version of The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross launched on March 3rd and the plan is to introduce new content and systems on a regular basis. Expect monthly updates that include features from the Japanese version of the game, and new content.
Joe: Is there anything we didn't cover regarding Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross that you'd like to share with the readers or anything from the game that you'd like to reveal to us?
Netmarble: The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross allows you to experience the anime like never before with rich 3D environments that can be explored by the player in all new ways. This is a JRPG you don’t want to miss!
What do you guys think about these comments from Netmarble? Will you be checking out The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross? Watch the trailer for the game below and let us know your thoughts in the comments!
The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross translates the storytelling and adventures of The Seven Deadly Sins into a highly engaging and entertaining mobile gaming experience. The stunning, high-resolution, 3D graphics, over 100 dramatic cut-scenes, and the cast of the original Japanese voice actors reprising their characters bring the heroes of The Seven Deadly Sins to life.
Players can select from a wide roster of heroes from the series to build their very own team and defeat enemies with a novel approach to card-based combat systems. There is an emphasis on combining cards and characters for special moves and extensive interaction with the main The Seven Deadly Sins team with unique costumes including original outfits found only in this game, character dialogue, an affection system, cooking, and more.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross is now available on Android and iOS.