Sega recently announced a new 7th Dragon title for the 3DS, titled 7th Dragon III Code: VFD for Japan. The game is due for an October 15 release this year. VFD will maintain the battle traditions of the 7th Dragon series (though maintaining the use of three party members, a change made in 7th Dragon 2020.) This game will offering eight classes, 32 skins, and 40 sets of character voices, mostly an improvement from the 7th Dragon 2020 games’ options. Also key to the concept of this entry in the series is the idea of three time settings: Atlantis representing the Past, Tokyo representing the Present, and “Eden” representing the future.
Sega has gone live with their own promotional website for 7th Dragon III Code: VFD. Famitsu also went live with a promotional article with images depicting the setting and battle sequences. A livestream for the game is set for July 4th.
This game’s situation is unique for a number of reasons.
To begin with, it appears that this may be the last game in the 7th Dragon series, according to Famitsu coverage. Secondly, it appears that a number of Sega names are involved with this title. Juro Watari (Virtual On) is producing, and Masayuki Kawabata (Phantasy Star Zero.) Rieko Kodama, previously the producer for the first 7th Dragon game and 2020 (and known for being an important development figure in important Sega classics like the classic Phantasy Star games, Sonic the Hedgehog, Alex Kidd, and Skies of Arcadia), is also involved although in not as large of a capacity as the other titles.
Note that imageepoch was the primary development force for the previous 7th Dragon titles, and that Sega published them. Since imageepoch is now recently dissolved, the game has very likely been significantly in development for a while. The series has consistently sold above the 100k mark in Japan, which isn’t too bad for a smaller and relatively newer RPG franchise when other RPG franchises fight to hold onto or grow their audience. Releases have been fairly spaced out by more than a year, but the franchise also started on 2009 and was released on the previous generation of handhelds (PSP / DS.) However since the 3DS is one of the stronger platforms in Japan, platform probably won’t be much of a concern for the title. No 7th Dragon games have been localized for other regions.
In other news, composing fan favorite Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage series, 7th Dragon series, Etrian Odyssey series, among others) will be handling music for this game. Yuzo Koshiro will also be composing for the crossover SRPG Project X Zone 2. Sou Yoda (7th Dragon 2020 series, Criminal Girls, Stella Glow) is writing for this game.
Credit goes to this NeoGAF thread for a variety of helpful miscellany that contributed to this article.