GrimGrimoire OnceMore Receives Debut Trailer And More Details

Yesterday, Publisher Nippon Ichi Software and developer Vanillaware announced GrimGrimoire OnceMore – a remaster of the PS2 title GrimGrimoire heading to Nintendo Switch and PS4. Well, here’s a closer look at what Switch owners can expect!

The companies have released an official debut trailer for the remaster – showcasing its updated graphics and gameplay. Additionally, they shared more information about the game’s characters and story.

Check it all out below (translations courtesy of Gematsu):

■ About

GrimGrimoire is a magic fantasy real-time strategy game in which a young wizard girl named Lillet struggles to uncover the truth in order to avoid reliving the same five days and impending disaster. Developed by Vanillaware and published by Nippon Ichi Software, it was first released in 2007.

Resurrected as GrimGrimoire OnceMore for PlayStation 4 and Switch, this remastered release features high-resolution graphics and new systems that make the game more enjoyable, including “Great Magic” that can turn the tides in battle and a “Skill Tree” to strengthen your familiars.

Please look forward to GrimGrimoire OnceMore, now more beautiful, vivid, and easier to play than ever.

■ Story

Lillet Blan was very excited.

Her heart had been racing since the moment she heard. Lillet had been invited to enroll into a Magic Academy where only talented youths were personally sought out by the greatest wizards. The school was lead by the famous wizard, Gaminel Dore, who had once defeated the Archmage. And the campus on which they study, the Silver Star tower, was once the destroyed Archmage’s castle.

The tower was still full of unsolved mysteries and dangers, and this attracted many who had their own personal reasons in mind. Lillet had opened her first grimoire, and began her studies. But only five days later, a terrifying disaster threatens the academy, and all lives are lost. All except she, who had traveled back through time without knowing why…

Can Lillet come closer to the truth by reliving those repeating days? Can she end the nightmare at the end of those five days?

To avoid constant death, open the grimoires once again.

■ Characters

Lillet Blan (voiced by Iori Saeki)

A studious, hard working girl who was invited to the Silver Star tower after being acknowledged for her magical skills. She wishes to become a great magician for her poor younger brothers, who wait for her at home. She is caught up in unexpected circumstances, but stands up to the mystery with daring acts and calm judgment that even she didn’t know she was capable of.

Margarita Surprise (voiced by Miharu Hanai)

A student at the Magic Academy. The first friend Lillet meets when she gets here. In her past, she had been rescued from a town that persecuted magicians under the pretense of witch hunting, but her personality is still carefree. She carries around her frog familiar on top of her head.

Gammel Dore (voiced by Teruo Seki)

The head master of the Magic Academy. In the past, he defeated the Archmage and sealed the devil that had made a pact with him. Quite the legendary magician. He founded the Magic Academy on the Silver Star Tower which was once the Archmage’s castle, and invited promising youths from around the kingdom in hopes of educating the next generation of magicians. It seems the school is kind of dangerous, because students go missing every once in a while, but every magician in the kingdom dreams of studying under Professor Gammel.

Advocat (voiced by Hiromichi Tezuka)

A devil who teaches Sorcery. The details of the contract with the head master is unknown. He likes to act like a gentleman, but you can see glimpses of his true nature as a devil at times. He seems to be refraining from collecting souls on campus grounds, but he won’t reject any, if they jump into his hands.

■ Systems

Magic Fantasy x Real-Time Simulation Depicted by Beautiful Visuals

The protagonist, Lillet, was invited to the Magic Academy Silver Star Tower and began her journey to become a magician. Various incidents occur at the Academy, such as demons and spirits interfering with classes, and rampaging golems created by alchemy. The Academy also seems to have a secret…

Set out to become a fine magician while clearing each stage by utilizing various magic such as Sorcery and Necromancy. Battles play out in a real-time simulation format, in which the player summons familiars by the power of grimoires and defeats the enemy party while protecting their own.

Summon Familiars Like Fairies, Golems, Demons, and Dragons

Magic battles are fought using the familiars summoned by the power of grimoires. Whether a fairy or golem, familiars come in various forms and each have their own unique abilities.

Take Advantage of Enemy Affinity to Gain the Upper Hand in Battle

There are four types of magic (Glamour, Necromancy, Sorcery, and Alchemy), and each can summon its own unique units.

Additionally, there are two types of familiars: Substance and Astral. Astral familiars are extremely weak to magic attacks, but physical attacks have no effect on them. They are a good choice against powerful physical attack users.

Considering your affinity with the enemy and summoning the familiars that will gain you the upper hand is the key to victory.

■ OnceMore New Features

High-Resolution Graphics

With high-definition graphics, the game’s detailed visuals are clearer than ever. And since the aspect ratio is wider, it is easier to understand the magic battle playing field.

Newly Recorded Character Voice-Overs

Every voiced line in the game has been newly recorded with a completely new cast. Additionally, Lillet and company are not only voiced during story parts, but also in battle, adding a new side of GrimGrimoire to enjoy.

New System: “Great Magic”

Four types of “Great Magic” that can be used during battle have been implemented. While Great Magic can only be activated a limited number of times, one use alone can change the state of battle—“Mana Burst” shoots a flame that deals damage to a wide range; “Resurrection” recovers the HP of injured party members; and so on.

New System: “Skill Tree”

In GrimGrimoire OnceMore, missions are set separately from the conditions to clear each stage. The coins earned by completing tasks can be used to strengthen summoning circles and familiars.

Gallery Function

A “Gallery” function has been added to view illustrations produced for GrimGrimoire and GrimGrimoire OnceMore. Over 90 illustrations by the Vanillaware staff are featured.

Changes and Adjustments from the Original Version

A “Fast-Forward” function for battle and story parts, and “Mid-Battle Save” function for battle parts have been added, making the game easier to play at your own pace. Additionally, the difficulty level of “Hard” mode has been adjusted to be more challenging than the original version.

GrimGrimoire OnceMore will launch on 28 July 2022 in Japan. Currently, there is no word on a western release of the title.