Koei Tecmo has officially announced Attack on Titan 3, aiming to deliver the definitive video game adaptation of the franchise. Following two previous titles that left the narrative incomplete by stopping at the start of the anime's third season, this new installment is designed to cover the entire story up to Hajime Isayama's tragic and emotional finale. The game will allow players to relive the Survey Corps' epic journey from its origins, refining and expanding upon the mechanics established in the previous chapter. It is scheduled for release on December 10 across PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Conceptually, Attack on Titan 3 maintains the narrative structure of its predecessor but shifts the perspective significantly. Instead of playing as Eren, Mikasa, Armin, or Levi, players will control a new, fully customizable protagonist belonging to the generation of Levi, Erwin, and Hange. This character serves as an instructor guiding the young protagonists from their early training days following the fall of Shiganshina. This unique point of view allows fans to witness Eren's descent into darkness through the eyes of his teacher, potentially adding new weight to the final narrative arcs. The game features a dialogue and bonding system where players can influence relationships with main characters through gifts and specific responses during special activities. These interactions can lead to minor plot consequences or deeper insights into character psychology, such as attempting to reason with Eren in prison after the attack on Liberio.
The gameplay remains an action title with musou elements but distinguishes itself by focusing on Titans rather than hordes of generic enemies. Players utilize the 3D Maneuver Gear to swing between trees and buildings, targeting Titans' weak points with precise timing. The movement system has been streamlined for greater fluidity, resembling the traversal mechanics found in Spider-Man games, where players can use gas boosts to accelerate their swings. Once attached to a Titan, players can target specific body parts; while smaller Titans under 15 meters can be killed instantly by striking the nape, larger and armored creatures possess health bars and hardened skin defenses. Players must target vulnerable areas like wrists and ankles to expose fatal points, aided by a temporary bullet-time aiming system for precision.
Combat against the Nine Titans requires more complex strategies, utilizing contextual situations in resistance battles. The protagonist can equip special abilities mirroring iconic techniques from the manga and anime, such as Levi Ackerman's spinning slash, Mikasa's lethal thrusts, and eventually the Thunder Spears. While the combat system effectively captures the adrenaline of the series, some reviews note occasional repetitiveness and camera instability during chaotic aerial sequences. Notably, players cannot transform into Titans, such as Eren in his Attack Titan form, as the game strictly places them in the role of a human Survey Corps member.
Beyond combat, the game offers extensive exploration and management features. Military outposts serve as central hubs for managing character progression, weapon upgrades, and skill acquisition. Players can customize their avatar's appearance and equipment with various blades and accessories to boost attack, defense, and mobility stats. Actions taken both in and out of battle influence values like Courage, Knowledge, and Leadership, affecting character growth and bonds with cadets. Additionally, a military unit management system allows players to allocate units across combat, planning, supply, and technical specialties to gain benefits during exploration and equipment development. An open-world exploration mode lets players venture beyond the walls on horseback or in flight to hunt Titans, gather materials, and complete optional missions.
Sources: Everyeye.it.