Initial 2: New Stage (v11.9)

A superpowered war between the Philosophia Academy and the Scientia Empire frames a compact, story-driven action RPG built around secrets, rival ideologies, and high-stakes military raids. You control Belvia, a captain in the Iudex Soldiers, as she crosses into enemy territory alongside two trusted allies to investigate a conflict that has festered for years. The tone leans dramatic and anime-inspired, mixing futuristic weapons, magical abilities, and personal tensions between soldiers on opposite sides of the battlefield. Rather than offering an open-world adventure, Initial 2: New Stage focuses on a directed campaign with cinematic momentum and frequent combat encounters.

Belvia fights in real time and can swap between a blade, greatsword, bow, and gauntlets without leaving the action. Each weapon supports a different rhythm, from close-range combos and heavier strikes to safer ranged pressure, while spells, ultimate attacks, and weapon-linked follow-ups add flair to encounters. The campaign spans ten chapters, with battles against varied enemy forces and more than ten major bosses designed to test reaction speed, attack recognition, and weapon choice. Players who mainly want the story can rely on AI-controlled companions and a more forgiving difficulty setting, while higher difficulties put greater emphasis on mastering the combat system and surviving with less room for error.

Its strongest appeal is the attempt to deliver a polished anime action experience on an indie scale, complete with numerous rendered scenes and full English or Japanese voice tracks. The cast and presentation aim for the dramatic energy of Japanese console action RPGs, while the soundtrack gives major battles a heightened, theatrical feel. Combat is likely to suit players who enjoy changing tools mid-combo more than those seeking deep loot systems, exploration freedom, or tactical party management. Fans of character-action RPGs with a linear, narrative-led structure—especially players drawn to games such as NieR: Automata for their stylized combat and melancholic sci-fi atmosphere—should find plenty to like, provided they are comfortable with a smaller-scale production.