AbsentedAge 2: Ghostbound

AbsentedAge 2: Ghostbound is an action RPG during exploration that shifts into roguelike-style strategic, turn-based combat when you encounter enemies. You play as a nameless girl who awakens as a ghost in the Forbidden Domain, a mysterious world of memories. With the spirit Tart, you gather fragments of your memory and discover that you were Karen, a trumpet player who dreamed of performing at Chōrakusai, a major music festival taking place that summer. Though rumors of your death spread, your bandmates continue searching for you.

After fierce battles with Gängers—anomalies that prey on the heart in both the city and the Forbidden Domain—you reclaim half of your lost heart fragments. Yayoi, a spirit wielder from the secretive Elysio Church, helps you manifest in the real world again, though imperfectly. The story then moves to a school where many of Karen’s memories remain, and another anomaly awaits in the depths of the sea of memory, holding a key to her past.

Exploration and combat

Touching an enemy, landing an advance attack or being ambushed takes you directly into turn-based combat, where nearby enemies can join the fight. You dodge and weave through hundreds of unique skills and items to defeat formidable monsters. Combat also rewards techniques such as semi-charged attacks, counters, perfect guards and directional influence.

Allies and abilities

Friends you bond with during the story can support you in the Forbidden Domain through Assist Summons. Change Summons let you temporarily switch characters to handle difficult situations. Hayato uses powerful counterattacks to turn danger into opportunity, while Suzu specializes in siege-style combat with autonomous deployable turrets.

Equipped spirit stones determine which field actions are available during exploration and action gameplay. Spirit arts let you instantly change Tart’s combat style, and a new skill tree lets you develop abilities such as follow-up attacks and automatic healing.

Equipment and customization

The game includes new equipment with original illustrations, many abnormal status effects and numerous equipment slots. When you obtain a piece of equipment you have already found, its proficiency level increases; that proficiency remains even if you lose the item. You can also customize your characters’ outfits.

Story and features

AbsentedAge 2: Ghostbound is a sequel to Squarebound, and you can carry over save data from that game. It also includes Assist Summons, Change Summons, a skill tree and an acclaimed tutorial. Interactive music performed by the protagonists’ Tea Ceremony Band Club accompanies the story.