Indie Japanese developer Nihiten Game Studio has been working on Complex Hero, a retro and pixelated sci-fi RPG inspired by classics from the 90s.

While the game is large in scope and features a dynamic, fully-fledged battle system, it will release for Windows PC (via Steam).

A new update from the game’s developer showed off its battle system, which they have been focusing on, though in the coming year they’ll work on the story and other systems in the game. Here’s a new gameplay clip:

昔ながらのガチRPG好きに届けたい。制作中RPGコンプレックスヒーロ。
年始の戦闘シーンその2

キャラクターごとのクリティカルの発生率は違いますが、HPが1/5以下の瀕死時の攻撃は全て確定でクリティカルになる仕様です。… pic.twitter.com/xMmi633wDE

— ニヒテン (@nihiten) January 4, 2026

Here’s a rundown on the game:

A Deep Sci-Fi Story × 2D Pixel Art × Classic Battle System

A nostalgic, full-fledged sci-fi RPG inspired by the classic masterpieces of the late ’90s.

A Ruined World, A Shaken Balance

The world is ruled by the colossal corporation “Lotz”. Resisting their control and fighting for freedom is the rebellion group “Garmz”. And lurking in the shadows of this world lies a threat beyond human comprehension.

As the delicate balance crumbles unknowingly, a young boy awakens in the midst of a twisted fate. Some seek his power. Some chase him. Some guide him. And some wish to exploit him. Entangled in their conflicting motives, the boy is inevitably drawn into battle.

“Who is the true enemy?”
“What secrets does this world conceal?”

When all truths are revealed, what future will he choose?

Story

1,000 Years Ago— Humanity’s Departure to Space

With Earth’s environment collapsing, a portion of humanity fled to space in search of survival. But this was no ordinary migration.

In the name of evolution, they altered their bodies and chose to survive as a new form of humanity. And now, after a millennium, they return to Earth—as alien entities unlike anything seen before.

15 Years Ago— The End of the Bantaray War

Under the rule of Lotz, Earth had become a corporate-controlled society. Amidst a prolonged war against the resistance force “Bantaray”,
a mysterious entity suddenly emerged. Bantaray made contact with them and was granted advanced technology—but it was no salvation.

Determined to end the war, Lotz deployed a single boy to the battlefield. With his immense “Psyonic Force,” he lost control—and Bantaray was annihilated.

The Present— A Broken Balance The boy, long sealed away by Lotz, awakens.

Some seek his power. Some pursue him. Some guide him. And some intend to use him. As the hidden truths of the world unravel, the wheels of fate begin to turn once more. And so, the story begins—

• Game Features
  • Beautiful 2D pixel art graphics
  • A dystopian, cyberpunk-inspired world
  • A deep and immersive sci-fi narrative
• Battle System Features
  • Dynamic combat flow: Actions are determined by character Speed (SPD), allowing for fluid battles.
  • Tactical offense and defense: Utilize Attack (ATK), Defense (DEF), and Image (IMG) stats to unleash powerful moves.
  • Unique character skills: Each character wields exclusive abilities that consume Life Points (LP).
  • High-risk, high-reward combat: Manage LP depletion and endure devastating enemy attacks with the Guts Point (GP) system.
  • Strategic team battles: Up to 10 characters can participate through an in-battle switching system.
  • Adaptive character growth: Stats evolve based on in-battle actions, with a customizable growth mode for tailored progression.
  • A classic RPG experience reborn—
  • Prepare to fight for the truth in a world on the brink of collapse.