PS5 Version of "Arknights: Endfield" Hands-On Report: Experience Traveling via Zip Line and Battling the Large Boss "Air Ignis" [TGS2025]
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/759/G075996/20250925101/
Editorial Department: René | 2025/09/25 15:52 (UTC)
The new game “Arknights: Endfield” is being showcased as a playable title at the ongoing “Tokyo Game Show 2025” held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. This article presents a hands-on report from that experience.
Arknights: Endfield is a 3D real-time strategy RPG in which players take on the role of the “Manager” at Endfield Industries, overcoming various crises while advancing exploration across newly opened territories.
To coincide with this exhibition, a gameplay video for the PS5 version’s prologue has been released. The portion covered during my hands-on session matches exactly what is shown in that video.
During the demo, players first select one of two protagonists—male or female—and then proceed through a tutorial. A mysterious silver-haired girl appears on the snowy starting terrain and guides the Manager forward.
The game features standard attacks and heavier variants derived from them, as well as a “Combat Skill” that consumes one gauge of Combat Points (SP) for greater damage. It also includes a “Finisher Move,” usable only when the Finisher Charge meter is fully filled.
In addition, defensive options such as dodging and “Just Dodges” are available—standard mechanics commonly seen in recent action RPGs. For Just Dodges, enemies emit a glowing effect just before launching an attack; pressing the dodge button at that precise moment triggers the maneuver.
Successfully executing a Just Dodge restores SP needed for Combat Skills. Note that SP also gradually recovers through normal attacks, heavy attacks, and over time.
Other familiar actions such as jumping and dashing are also included, along with a new feature: moving via zip line.
The zip line traversal across canyons is an impressive spectacle that fully showcases the game’s high-quality graphics—worth checking out in the aforementioned gameplay video.
Players advance through the story by defeating enemies known as “Angelos” using the combat mechanics described above. Along the way, players can construct defensive structures called turrets, which are then used to attack incoming enemies—this feature was clearly visible during gameplay.
This element gives a distinctive impression unique to this title; however, no detailed explanation of it was provided in the tutorial portion covered here.
As the story progresses, players eventually face a boss battle against “Aeia Ignis.”
This is a large-scale boss fight characteristic of 3D action RPGs, in which players team up with three companions—including the silver-haired girl—to take on the enemy.
During this battle, the newly introduced companions automatically engage in combat. Players can also issue commands to their allies to trigger Finisher Moves and other abilities. Additionally, a notable gimmick involves destroying the boss’s massive arm—creating a memorable encounter typical of large-scale boss fights.
With the battle against Aeia Ignis concluded, the hands-on session ended with a mysterious and evocative sequence.
Although this title is a spin-off of Arknights, its overall tone strongly emphasizes an action RPG feel. The various combat mechanics and especially the final confrontation with Aeia Ignis are familiar to anyone who has played other action RPGs, making it accessible even for players unfamiliar with Arknights.
Regarding the story, while keywords such as “Stellarite”—a well-known term from the original Arknights series—were mentioned during the demo, the narrative concluded in a mysterious state. We eagerly await further updates on how the storyline will unfold going forward.