Japanese publisher FURYU has launched CRYMELIGHT, a roguelike action game inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, on PlayStation 5 (PS5) and Nintendo Switch 2, with a PC version on Steam still to come.
According to a release, the game went live on November 4th. The standard edition costs $19.99 on PS5 and Switch 2. It's the newest entry in FURYU's ‘CRY’ series of bishoujo action games, which began with CRYSTAR. Bishoujo is a Japanese term for stories built around pretty girl characters.
Players control Alice, a girl with no memory of who she really is. She is trapped in a prison for the souls of the dead and forced into a ‘Killing Game’. To get through it, Alice must defeat enemies and confess the sins she inherits, which then become upgrade materials. In the end she has to face her own sins (the only way to win back her freedom and memories).
Roguelikes are built around repeated attempts, called runs, where failing sends players back to the start. CRYMELIGHT adds two twists. The ‘Wonder Dimension’ raises the intensity of combat as Alice defeats more enemies; a ‘Poker System’ lets players build a five-card hand of abilities to experiment with.
Launch art and the producer's view
Character designer YOGISYA drew a new commemorative illustration for the launch. It also features in the launch trailer, set to music by the game's composer, Sakuzyo. The release calls the game's world ‘beautiful yet cruel’.
“CRYMELIGHT is a story about Alice and the other girls confronting sins and regrets while growing as they suffer and struggle,” said TAKUMI, producer of CRYMELIGHT at FURYU.
TAKUMI added that the roguelike gameplay is tied closely to the story, with truths uncovered through repetition. He hopes players will enjoy it as a distinctly ‘Japanese roguelike’. He also asked them to watch the characters' expressive, anime-like movements.
Deluxe edition, DLC and the Steam version
A digital deluxe edition is out on both consoles for $39.99. It adds six in-game items, such as weapons and character accessories, plus an 80-page digital artbook and a music album.
Free downloadable content (DLC) is available too. Two accessories, ‘Scissors’ and ‘Magical Chainsaw’, mark collaborations with Garden of Witches and Magical Princess; the girls of the cast can equip them.
The Steam version has no release date yet. Its store page lists it as ‘coming soon’. Collaboration bundles with Garden of Witches, Magical Princess and Eternal Palace Sakura are planned for the Steam launch, with extra bundle discounts. FURYU says the game has passed 100,000 Steam wishlists, and a special short story is being written to mark it.
CRYSTAR, the first CRY game, is up to 95% off on PC via Steam, PS5 and Nintendo Switch. The release does not say when the sale ends. More details are on the official CRYMELIGHT website.
FURYU became independent from the OMRON Group through a management buyout in April 2007. Since then it has grown into print stickers, character merchandise, home video games and anime, according to the release.
The following was sent as a press release to Inven Global.
