3 years later, these JRPGs from genre veterans are stuck in purgatory despite raising nearly $2.6 million in a combined Kickstarter campaign

Screenshot from Penny Blood, showing a third-person view of a black-dressed protagonist staring up at a red moon, darkened sky, and ominous chapel in the night. There's also a mini-map in the top-right corner.

Two JRPGs from some genre veterans still seem to be stuck in purgatory, despite both having led a mega-successful Kickstarter campaign.

First things first, some introductions. In 2022, two games from veteran developers joined forces to hold a 'Double Kickstarter.' Wild Arms writer and designer Akifumi Kaneko had announced Westernpunk RPG Armed Fantasia at his new studio, while Matsuzo Machida had done the same with Penny Blood, a gothic spiritual successor to the cult classic game Shadow Hearts that made him a notable name in the genre.