Tokyo RPG Factory’s first game, I Am Setsuna, was hit or miss. Using Chrono Trigger as its palimpsest, I Am Setsuna borrowed structural elements, character inspiration, abilities, and the famous double and triple techniques from the classic SNES title. This is not a bad thing, but it drowned these aspects in overly complicated systems and standoffish writing. I Am Setsuna is not without its moments or merits, and it certainly charmed me, yet I found it lacking in some respects (you can check out our review on it here). So when Tokyo RPG Factory’s second game, Lost Sphear, was announced, I was not optimistic about the reused assets or the addition of a fourth party member. And yet, Lost Sphear turns out to be the first pleasant surprise of 2018. Lost and Found Kanata and his two childhood friends, Lumina and Locke, are their village’s only defenders against the occasional meek monster that wanders in. Then their village becomes “lost”—a phenomenon in which objects, people, and large swaths of geography fade into shimmering white. Kanata learns that by collecting memories he is able to restore the “lost”, an ability the big empire on the block recognizes and recruits him, his friends, and the

Square Enix has unveiled a new sweepstakes exclusive for the North American release of Lost Sphear. By pre-ordering a hard copy of Lost Sphear from the Official Square Enix Shop(NA), you will be automatically entered for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch. Please note that contest entries appear to only apply for the Switch edition of the game, as the text for the contest rules are absent from the PC and Playstation 4 editions. Having a Square Enix Members account may also be required. The entry period ends on January 22, 2018 at 11:59pm PST according to the official rules listed on the pre-order page, and the winner will be notified around February 21 2018 with the email associated with the entry. Lost Sphear is scheduled to release in North America and Europe on January 23, 2018 for Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC.