Solo Japanese developer Konno Tobari has revealed Echoes of the Flame, turn-based RPG coming to PC via Steam. The game uses a 2.5D visual style, layering pixel-art characters over 3D environments built using RPG Developer Bakin. The Japanese version is set for release between November and December 2026, with English and Simplified Chinese localizations to follow in 2027.
Echoes of the Flame is set in a world centered around a cycle of souls, which the Flame Wardens are tasked with protecting. The story alternates between two parties of three traveling toward the same destination, the sacred peak of Coral, from opposite ends of the world. In the west, the Flame Warden Haku is on the road with two companions: Kaji, his demi-human best friend, and Mikoto, an enigmatic former mafia member. In the east, the Flame Warden Ren makes the same trip alongside Maruka, a friend from his childhood, and a mysterious elder named Rakan.
Exploration is revolves around a system called Key Words: players collect words as they travel and offer them to specific characters to open up additional lore and side stories. Combat is turn-based and avoids random encounters. Each character carries a Shield that takes damage before their HP. This applies to enemies as well, where players have to drain an opponent’s Shield first before breaking through to HP. Standard leveling has been swapped for Combat Points, which are awarded as the story progresses and can be spent on active or passive abilities or used to raise stats. Players can fit Spirit Stones onto their weapons and armor, letting them curate a build toward specific tactics like shield-breaking or inflicting status effects. Konno Tobari has also confirmed that an Easy Mode is on the way, aimed at players who want to spend their time on the story and exploration. Nearly all of the game’s soundtrack has been composed by Konno Tobari. Estimated playtime is 10 to 15 hours, with the upper end reflecting players who take time to explore.
On the Steam page, Konno Tobari notes that generative AI tools were used to produce starting visuals for some of the game’s image work, including portraits of characters, enemies, and elements of the user interface.
Echoes of the Flame is available to wishlist now on Steam.