I’m spellbound with curiosity for GrimGrimoire OnceMore

Magic and Mystery are part of her history

Anybody who knows me well knows that I wish I was an Aloof Gothic Witch.  So it stands to reason that I’ve been rendered spellbound by Nippon Ichi Software’s incoming remaster GrimGrimoire OnceMore — currently in development for PS4 and Nintendo Switch at fine cult studio Vanillaware.

As we have previously reported, GrimGrimoire OnceMore is an amusingly titled remaster of the underplayed 2007 PS2 release GrimGrimoire, a strategy adventure title that sees clumsy witch-in-training Lillet Blan tasked with rescuing her fellow students and faculty members from the chains of a frustrating time loop, which has been cast upon the school by a no-good sorcerer looking to steal the Philosopher’s Stone.

Check out a brand new trailer for the remaster below.

The original GrimGrimoire was written and directed by George Kamitani, who modern gaming fans will recognize as the brains behind the excellent fantasy adventure Dragon’s Crown. In addition, GrimGrimoire’s beautiful character art is the work of another Dragon’s Crown alumni, Kouichi Maenou. While the title would receive critical plaudits for its fun storytelling, strategic gameplay, and attractive aesthetic, it would unfortunately not find success at the cash registers, putting an end to further adventures for Lillet and her pals.

The remaster promises higher-resolution, widescreen visuals, brand new mechanics and skill tree options, rebalanced difficulty and save systems, and even a newly recorded voice track, all of which will hopefully help GrimGrimoire to find a brand new audience, some 15 years on from its original release. Unfortunately, Nippon Ichi Software is still to confirm a western localization, but NIS America has really gone above and beyond in recent years when it comes to bringing the publisher’s titles westward in recent years, so keep those fingers crossed… After all, I’d look cute af in those Victorian button-up boots.

GrimGrimoire OnceMore will launch in Japan, July 28, on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

Chris Moyse

Senior Editor – Chris has been playing video games since the 1980s. Former Saturday Night Slam Master. Graduated from Galaxy High with honors. Twitter: @ChrisxMoyse