Releasing on December 10, 'Attack on Titan 3' is the latest entry in the action game series developed by Omega Force. Releasing on PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, the game covers the narrative in a single title, spanning from when the Survey Corps first begins its operations all the way to the original work's conclusion.
This title does more than simply recompile the stories of the previous two games. The setup for the custom protagonist—the player's avatar—has been changed, and the Omni-Directional Mobility (ODM) action has been refined to be more streamlined while focusing on responding to Titan behaviors. Beyond the Walls, players can lead their squad, build bases, and expand their area of survey. The game also features progression systems where equipment is broken down into finer parts to craft custom ODM gear. Another notable change is that unlike its predecessors, the game omits multiplayer to focus entirely on a single-player experience.
At TGS 2026, we met with Hideo Suzuki, development producer of 'Attack on Titan 3', and director Hayato Iwata to hear about how they condensed the vast original story into a single game, the revamped ODM action, Scout Missions beyond the Walls, and the new original protagonist.
This game is described as the "culmination of the series." What does the development team see as its biggest significance?
Suzuki: The biggest aspect is undoubtedly being able to experience the story of Attack on Titan from start to finish in a single game. In that sense, I believe it truly deserves to be called the culmination.
We have released several Attack on Titan games in the past, but we built 'Attack on Titan 3' so that even if you haven't played the previous titles, you can understand the entire story just by playing this one.
You mentioned that people unfamiliar with the original work can understand the story with just this one title. The manga spans 34 volumes and the anime is also quite massive—how did you fit all of that into a single game?
Suzuki: As you said, the original manga is very long, and watching the entire anime takes a considerable amount of time.
When adapting it into a game, what we considered crucial was not simply showing event cutscenes continuously. While selecting key events, we naturally placed actual gameplay between them.
We made it so players can directly feel and understand the story through the process of playing the game itself. Because the narrative is delivered in a way that differs from merely watching videos, players will be able to follow the story from beginning to end.
Starting from the middle of the story, conflict between humans increases significantly compared to fighting Titans. Since Titan battles were the core of previous games, implementing human-versus-human combat must have presented challenges.
Suzuki: That was indeed something we pondered deeply when deciding to adapt the story from start to finish. From the middle of the original story onward, human-versus-human battles increase significantly.
However, we couldn't just ignore those sections. So, human-versus-human combat was implemented in a different format from fighting Titans. We focused on maintaining the flow of the original story while ensuring it remains fun to play as a game.
Previous titles steadily expanded their multiplayer elements. Can we expect multiplayer or PvP in this entry as well?
Suzuki: For this game, the direction of serving as a culmination where players experience the story of Attack on Titan from start to finish is extremely important. We wanted to focus on an experience where players play alone and immerse themselves deeply in the story. Therefore, we omitted multiplayer elements this time and focused entirely on single-player.
Besides combat, footage was revealed showing cooking or talking with characters at headquarters. What role do the Survey Corps daily life and interaction elements play?
Iwata: Through character quests, players can delve deeper into the stories of original characters. There is content presented in forms such as "consultations" in the game. Rather than ending with just watching cutscenes, players can head out to defeat Titans together with characters or solve problems together at the regiment headquarters.
We have prepared various content, including cooking and talking in rooms, to build bonds with original characters and help players gain a deeper understanding of each person.
An original protagonist appears once again. How does this character differ from the previous game?
Iwata: Once again, players progress through the game with an original protagonist acting as their avatar. However, while the protagonist in the previous game belonged to the same generation as Eren and the 104th Cadet Corps, this time we raised the age group slightly. The character is set as belonging to a generation relatively closer to Levi and Hange.
This setup also ties directly into gameplay. As the story progresses, the player comes to lead their own squad, placing them in the position of developing and managing that squad.
Additionally, the protagonist is designed with background expertise in mechanical engineering. Based on this, players can personally modify and upgrade their ODM gear, with the results reflected directly in combat action. In effect, the protagonist's backstory is connected straight to the game's progression system.
Battles against the Nine Titans are highly anticipated as well. Since their sizes, abilities, and combat styles vary significantly, designing boss fights must have required careful thought.
Iwata: Each Titan possesses clear distinct characteristics and combat styles, so we aimed to faithfully portray them in the game. Rather than simply creating enemies with high attack power or massive health, we designed them so that players must figure out specific tactics tailored to each Titan to defeat them.
For example, the War Hammer Titan creates various weapons to attack. Depending on which weapon it generates, its actions change, and the player must respond accordingly.
The other Titans also reflect their canonical traits in combat. Reading their attacks and responding appropriately is the core of boss fights.
Compared to previous games, have the controls for ODM combat changed?
Suzuki: They have changed considerably. In previous games, players attached an anchor to a Titan, reeled in, and then pressed the attack button at the right moment to slash. This time, we simplified it so that landing a precise anchor attach seamlessly connects from the approach into the attack.
The reason for this change is that Titans in this title attack much more aggressively and in more varied ways than before. Players need to spend more focus evaluating Titan movements and dodging attacks.
Under those conditions, requiring constant micromanagement of attack timing made it difficult to properly read the Titan's actions. So we simplified attack inputs slightly to balance the focus on judging how to react to Titan attacks.
In that case, are deep progression elements like collecting and leveling equipment from previous entries still present?
Iwata: Crafting and collecting equipment is still present in this game. However, it is far more granular than before. While ODM gear, blades, and other parts were previously divided into basic categories, we have now broken down individual components into finer parts that can be combined to build custom equipment.
Players can collect various components to construct gear tailored to their preferences, then further upgrade or modify crafted parts. The freedom and depth of equipment customization are significantly higher than in previous entries, and mastering this system serves as one of the end-game contents.
How specifically do the newly emphasized "Scout Missions" beyond the Walls function?
Iwata: In terms of the story, the squad led by the protagonist is tasked with securing safe travel routes outside the Walls.
Players personally lead their squad members outside the Walls, defeat Titans, and establish bases. Secured bases can subsequently be used as starting points for future Scout Missions. You can think of it as a structure where expanding fast-travel points gradually extends your survey range to farther regions.
Scout Missions are not limited to just expanding bases. When you return with materials gathered outside, you can develop or upgrade equipment such as ODM gear.
Unexpected events such as distress calls from other units occur during surveys, through which you can recruit new squad members. Particularly dangerous Titans appear as special subjugation targets, and leveling up your squad to defeat these powerful Titans forms another key element of end-game content.
Beyond progressing through the main story, we wanted to build a structure where players naturally get immersed in various activities while exploring outside the Walls.
Which characters can be recruited into the protagonist's squad? Can key characters from the original story become squad members?
Iwata: The characters formally assigned to the protagonist's squad are game-original characters rather than canon story characters.
However, you can request assistance from canon characters for Scout Missions to deploy into combat together. So players can fully enjoy the experience of fighting alongside their favorite characters outside the Walls.
Furthermore, if a recruited squad member under your command is eaten by a Titan or dies while out on a Scout Mission, that character disappears permanently from the game.
The development team considered this aspect crucial. In the world of Attack on Titan, we felt it would be unfitting if someone eaten by a Titan simply returned as if nothing happened.
Squad members are reliable allies for the player while simultaneously being subjects to protect. We feel that the tension of surveying the dangerous world beyond the Walls while protecting your subordinates is very much an authentic Attack on Titan experience.
Since the game covers the original story from the very beginning, existing fans who already know the plot might feel it's repetitive. Are there elements that existing fans can enjoy afresh?
Suzuki: Although it covers the story from start to finish, we didn't want to make a game that simply repeats familiar content. Existing fans will encounter stories that let them view characters and events through a fresh perspective.
Iwata: Because the protagonist's setup has changed from the previous game, the perspective on the same events has shifted.
We significantly expanded and enhanced both combat and interaction content compared to the previous game. Even when sections covered in earlier titles reappear, we made changes across multiple areas so it doesn't feel repetitive.
Conversely, does this mean players with zero knowledge of the original manga or anime can jump in with this game?
Suzuki: Yes. You don't need to have played previous games, and even if you are unfamiliar with the original Attack on Titan, the game is structured so you can understand the full narrative.
Beyond presenting major events through cutscenes, we focused on enabling players to understand the story by acting within events themselves. In that sense, while serving as a culmination for existing fans, it is also designed to be an entry point for newcomers to Attack on Titan.
It was previously announced that the opening animation produced by MAPPA would be added in a post-launch update. Not having it available at launch must be regrettable for the development team as well.
Suzuki: Due to production scheduling reasons, we apologize for that. While we cannot make guarantees just yet... maybe, just maybe! There is a chance it might be included by the time you actually play the game.
Production is actively underway right now. While we can't promise it will strictly be there at launch, we are doing our best so that players can experience it when playing the game, so please look forward to it.
Covering everything from beginning to end must mean a substantial story volume. How long is the play time for the main story?
Suzuki: Assuming players focus solely on clearing the main story, we estimate around 30 to 40 hours.
Lastly, do you have a word for fans in Korea who are awaiting 'Attack on Titan 3'?
Suzuki: As mentioned throughout, 'Attack on Titan 3' is the culmination of the series, allowing players to experience the story from start to finish. On top of that, we have prepared plenty of game-original side stories and events. We believe existing fans will also be able to enjoy it from a fresh perspective. Please look forward to its release on December 10.
Iwata: Although it includes content covered in previous games, we put a lot of thought into ensuring it doesn't feel like repetitive gameplay.
With the protagonist's setup changing, players can view the same narrative from a different angle, and both combat and interaction features have been expanded beyond previous games. We designed it so you can experience it with a fresh mindset compared to past entries, so we hope many people play and enjoy it.
