Roguelike strategy RPG 'Bar Stella Abyss' announced for Switch

■ Specifications

• Title: Bar Stella Abyss
• Genre: Roguelike strategy RPG
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• Release Date: February 29, 2024 (Japan)
• Players: One
• Price: 7,200 yen (without tax) / 7,920 yen (with tax)
• Publisher: Nippon Ichi Software
• Development Manager: Shunsuke Minowa
• Planning and Concept / Art Director: Yu Mizokami
• Character Design: Mio Katsumata
• CERO Rating: Pending
• Official Website: nippon1.jp
• Official Hashtag: #BARステラアビス

■ Game Overview

Bar Stella Abyss is a roguelike strategy RPG in which you strengthen your party with the power of the constellations while exploring a dungeon in another world that changes form each time you play. In addition to exploring the other world, the story will unravel as you share drinks with the peculiar patrons of the bar “Stella Abyss.”

■ Story

Stella Abyss is a hidden bar tucked away in the corner of the city. The protagonist, tired out by their day to day, is guided there by a flyer floating in the wind and opens its doors.

“You seem to be extremely exhausted. Allow me to make you something right away.”

Drunk on the cocktail he ordered as recommended by the bartender, the protagonist fell asleep.

The hungover protagonist woke up to an unfamiliar voice echoing in their head. Before them was a mysterious creature floating in the air, and a magical scene of flowers in bloom.

This is the “Drunken World,” the dream of a drunk person. The protagonist was robbed of their face and arm, and left trapped in this dream world.

■ Characters

Wanderer (voiced by Nanako Mori): A wanderer who lost their face and arm.

The protagonist, who arrives at the hidden bar Stella Abyss after following a flyer floating in the wind through the city at night. In order to get back the face and arm they lost in the Drunken World, they must go back and forth between the bar and other world.

Master (voiced by Ayaka Shimizu): Owner of the hidden bar Stella Abyss.

A gentle-mannered woman adored by her regulars. She also seems to know about the Drunken World. She offers all sorts of advice to the protagonist, who is taken aback by the sudden events.

Tipsy (voiced by Michiyo Murase): A servant of the Drunken World’s god.

A creature who saves the protagonist after wandering into the Drunken World and names them “Wanderer.” They do whatever they can to help catch the thief who stole the protagonist’s face and arm.

■ System

Explore the Drunken World You Reach After Drinking Yourself Unconscious

The Drunken World is said to exist in countless numbers like stars. The protagonist Wanderer travels around this profoundly mysterious world to get back their lost face and arm.

—Dungeons are scattered with facilities that will aid in your exploration, including an observatory where you can obtain enhanced skills, and shops where you can purchase items. It is up to the player to decide which facilities to progress through.

—If you encounter any of Stella Abyss’ regulars in the Drunken World, you can add them to your party. With their help, aim to reach the depths of the Drunken World.

—When you use up all your strength in the Drunken World, you will wake up in the bathroom of Stella Abyss. Equipment aside, all items will be lost and your level will return to its initial state.

Turn-Based Strategy RPG Battles

When you encounter the monsters that roam about the Drunken World, the fight will shift to a tile-based battle map. Combat progresses like a turn-based strategy RPG. Choose your actions while paying attention to the enemy’s weaknesses and placement, as well as terrain effects.

Strengthen Characters with the Power of Constellations

As you explore, you will obtain “Stella,” which are the powers of the constellations. By setting a Stella to a character’s skill, its performance can be enhanced in ways such as expanded attack range, additional power, or granting additional attributes.

There are around 130 different Stella that will randomly appear, and up to four can be equipped for a single skill, but all Stella will reset once your run ends. Try out different combinations of Stella for every run.

For example, by combining the Stella “Double Backstep,” which allows you to move back two tiles, and “High-Speed Firing,” which increases your power the further away you are from an enemy, you can create a skill that deals high damage while also keeping a safe distance from the enemy.

Smooth Conversation and Exploration Through the Power of Alcohol

By sharing drinks with the other regulars, you can gain effects that will aid you on your journey in the Drunken World.

—Stella Abyss has several regulars that come in for a drink. Talk to those that pique your interests and share a table.

The Patrons of Stella Abyss

The men and women of Stella Abyss. They will also appear in the Drunken World, where only those who “lost something important” are said to reach, and help out the protagonist.

From left to right, the regular patrons include:

• Kaji (voiced by Hiroshi Watanabe)
• Baran (voiced by Hiromu Mineta)
• Kilka (voiced by Mikoi Sasaki)
• Cas (voiced by Momoyo Koyama)
• Leona (voiced by Honoka Kuroki)
• Maia (voiced by Riho Sugiyama)
• Ginga (voiced by Mutsuki Iwanaka)
• Saotome (voiced by Takaki Otomari)

Enjoy Conversation with the Regulars

By sharing a table with the regulars at Stella Abyss, you can enjoy conversation. There are four prompts you can choose from as reactions during a conversation, including “Agree,” “Disagree,” “Laugh,” and “Doubt,” as well as the additional option of “Drink” for a total of five options. Choose the most appropriate reaction to match the other person’s feelings and drive the conversation forward.

—If you make a comment that disrupts the flow of the conversation or offends the other person, the conversation will not flourish and your time drinking together will end.

—If you choose “Drink” too much, your vision will blur and you will be forced into the Drunken World. Be sure to pace yourself when drinking…

The Hidden Effects of Cocktails

The cocktails of Stella Abyss will bestow special effects that will aid you in the Drunken World. There are various effects, from granting additional experience points to increasing the appearance rate of certain Stella. Order cocktails that match your exploration style.

—If your conversation flourishes while sharing a table, you can order additional cocktails. Two drinks, three drinks… the effects will accumulate the more you drink, allowing you to explore the dungeon with an advantage. —There are over 300 cocktails. By spending the money you collect in the Drunken World, you can unlock cocktails with more powerful effects.

■ First-Print Bonus

First-print copies of the physical edition will include a download code for the digital mini soundtrack, which contains eight tracks carefully selected from the game’s background music.

■ Nippon1.jp Shop Limited Edition

The Nippon1.jp Shop Limited Edition includes:

• A copy of the game
• Soundtrack CD – Three discs. Includes every background music track from the game.
• Visual art book – 44 pages, B6-size. Includes artwork from the game.
• Special Box – Can be used to store the soundtrack CD and visual art book.
• Acrylic art board – A5 size.
• Pre-orders are available here: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Switch.