Few Japanese manga series manage to captivate and amaze generations of audiences for nearly 30 years. Even fewer still manage to stay fresh and bewilder their fans in completely new ways that they couldn’t have even imagined. Hirohiko Araki’s long-running work, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, has managed to do just that. What began as a fairly typical tale of Victorian mysticism and muscle-bound bravado is now known as one of Japan’s most eccentric (and flamboyant) action series, with 7 finished major chapters and counting. It’s also received several anime adaptations that have further skyrocketed its popularity both in Japan and abroad; the latest anime series aims to eventually span the entire JoJo’s saga.
Bandai Namco released an action-adventure game in Japan last year titled JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven, which tells an all-new story featuring members from the series’ centuries-long lineage. Yesterday, Namco Bandai announced that they will be releasing Eyes of Heaven in North America on June 28, and in Europe, Middle-East, Africa and Australasia on July 1st.
In addition, the main cast from Chapter 4 of the manga, Diamond is Unbreakable, will also be joining the existing roster. These include Josuke Higashikata and his allies Shigekiyo Yangu, Koichi Hirose, Rohan Kishibe, Yukako Yamagishi, Okuyasu Nijimura. They will be opposed by their nemeses Yoshikage Kira and his Stand Killer Queen (localized as Deadly Queen), Akira Otoishi and Kosaku Kawajiri. These characters, and their accompanying Stands, will enter the fray with two new arenas: Town of Morioh and Cape Poyoyon.
Watch the latest trailer featuring Chapter 4’s characters below:
Eyes of Heaven will feature both solo play and a co-op mode, where players can choose from over 50 different characters from the JoJo’s series. In addition to 2-on-2 fights, a co-op mode is also planned. This will allow players to team up against AI opponents, as well as other human opponents. According to an official press release by Bandai Namco, “new missions, new costumes and new items will be unlocked as players take part in various bouts.”
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven will release in North America on June 28, and in Europe, Middle-East, Africa and Australasia on July 1st, for PlayStation 4. Stay tuned for more updates.