Arc System Works, the creative minds behind Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, have unveiled a new title titled Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow. This innovative project is set to arrive on September 24, available on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, as well as on PS5 and Nintendo Switch.
Positioned as a “tactical timeline RPG with hyper-stylish combat,” Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow unfolds in Tokyo, 2030, following an event known as the “Collapse.” In this dystopian setting, reality is deteriorating, and grotesque beings called Aberrations now stalk the ruined streets.
The narrative centers on Souma Hoshigami, a young man transformed into a human-monster hybrid after a brutal Aberration attack during a delivery job, and Rena Hizuki, a deadly investigator from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department’s Public Safety Department, Foreign Affairs Fifth Division (often referred to as the Public Safety Mutation Response Division). Together, they delve into the enigmas surrounding the Collapse and the rise of Aberrations.
Players navigate the game by selecting different areas on a map centered around Tokyo’s Shibuya ward. Post-Collapse, society grapples with numerous issues, including the spread of a hazardous drug named Tiny True, the increasing prevalence of body-consuming markings called “Stigma” among youths, and the clandestine activities of a mysterious cult. Investigations take place across various locations, with story segments presented in a visual-novel style using character sprites and CG illustrations. In combat zones, players can review enemy statistics and item drop rates before initiating combat.
The combat system operates on a timeline basis, where enemy attack timings and types are displayed, allowing players to insert their skills into the gaps to form combos. Counter-attacks appear to be a crucial element—whenever an enemy attacks, two yellow circles emerge, and a successful counter is executed by attacking when these circles overlap. Players can slow down or pause battles to familiarize themselves with the mechanics or devise strategies, but at normal speed, combat is fast-paced, “rivaling an action game.”
Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow is a collaborative effort between Arc System Works and UnitePlus. While Arc System Works is renowned for fighting game franchises like Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, the company has recently broadened its scope to include publishing indie games in Japan and developing new IPs. UnitePlus, established in November 2025 from the merger of developer Aquria (known for its work on FuRyu’s CRYMACHINA) and APLUS, the studio behind titles in the Kunio-kun series.
Qliphah in Providence’s Shadow is set to launch on September 24 for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.