is a

role-playing video game A role-playing video game (commonly referred to as simply a role-playing game or RPG, as well as a computer role-playing game or CRPG) is a video game genre where the player controls the actions of a character (or several party members) immers ...

developed by Imageepoch for the

PlayStation Portable The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 12, 2004, in North America on March 24, 2005, and in PAL regions on September 1, 200 ...

. It was released in Japan on October 4, 2012.

Gameplay

The game is a turn based RPG. It features gameplay mechanics such as "Sol System", where the players can activate characters' "Sol Power" to activate special moves that become stronger the more they are used. "Sol Power" can also be traded away in order to revive teammates in battle as well, similar to the game '' Soul Sacrifice''. Additional skills can be learned by equipping new weapons.

Story

The game is set in a distant future, based around the fictional city "Kaiserhald". In the game's world, "Sol" has the power to create miracles, but is hoarded by Kaiserhald and its "Machine Church". The "Sol Trigger" is a group of people who oppose their corrupt use of the "Sol", and they fight to stop them.

Development

A Japanese trademark for the name ''Sol Trigger'' was first registered in November 2011, and the game was first announced in May 2012, in an issue of ''

Famitsu formerly ''Famicom Tsūshin'', is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly formats as well as in the f ...

''. It was revealed to be the company's most expensive, high-budget game ever attempted, and their last game for the

system. Staff include Shuji Sogabe as character designer, who previously worked on the ''

Persona 4 released outside of Japan as ''Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4'', is a 2008 role-playing video game by Atlus. It is chronologically the fifth installment in the ''Persona'' series, itself a part of the larger '' Megami Tensei'' franchise, and wa ...

comic a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate ...

, and Kazushige Nojima as the game scenario writer, who previously wrote parts of ''

Final Fantasy VII is a 1997 role-playing video game developed by Square (video game company), Square for the PlayStation (console), PlayStation console. It is the seventh main installment in the ''Final Fantasy'' series. Published in Japan by Square, it was r ...

'' and ''

Kingdom Hearts is a series of action role-playing games developed and published by Square Enix (originally by Square). It is a collaboration between Square Enix and The Walt Disney Company and is under the leadership of Tetsuya Nomura, a longtime Square ...

''.

Anime is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...

video scenes were created by J.C.Staff. Originally scheduled to be released on August 30, 2012, it was later delayed to October 4, upon request of retailers, who claimed that there were already too many games releasing on that date in Japan. A demo of the game was released for download on the Japanese

PlayStation Store The PlayStation Store (PS Store) is a digital media store available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The store offers a range of downloadable conten ...

in July 2012. To promote the game's release, a mini

web browser A web browser is application software for accessing websites. When a user requests a web page from a particular website, the browser retrieves its files from a web server and then displays the page on the user's screen. Browsers are used o ...

game, ''Sol Trigger Training School'', was released. The game was a one-on-one fighting game, played by clicking a mouse as fast as possible. Password could be received to unlock bonus features in ''Sol Trigger''.

Localization

While the game was not announced in any other regions, some journalists speculated an English release could happen due to developer Imageepoch's past efforts to work with American publishers, such as

Atlus is a Japanese video game developer, publisher, arcade manufacturer and distribution company based in Tokyo. A subsidiary of Sega, the company is known for video game series such as '' Megami Tensei'', '' Persona'', '' Etrian Odyssey'' and ...

(''

Luminous Arc ''Luminous Arc'' is a series of tactical role-playing video games originally developed by Imageepoch, prior to the company's bankruptcy. The series began with the 2007 release of '' Luminous Arc'' for the Nintendo DS, with its most recent game bein ...

'' and ''

Luminous Arc 2 ''Luminous Arc 2'' is a tactical role-playing game developed by Imageepoch for the Nintendo DS, and published by Marvelous Entertainment in Japan on May 15, 2008, and by Atlus USA and Rising Star Games in North America and Europe respectively. I ...

''), Aksys Games ('' Fate/Extra''), and NIS America ('' Black Rock Shooter: The Game'').http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/10/25/2325320.aspx?PostPageIndex=2 However, sources such as

Kotaku ''Kotaku'' is a video game website and blog that was originally launched in 2004 as part of the Gawker Media network. Notable former contributors to the site include Luke Smith, Cecilia D'Anastasio, Tim Rogers, and Jason Schreier. Histor ...

feared it may not be released into other regions due to the

no longer being an active video game platform in

North American North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the ...

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

an regions by 2012. Siliconera felt there may be hope for localization due to Imageepoch registering the Japanese trademark for the game's title in Japanese and English. As of 2018, the game has not been released in any other region.

Sales and legacy

As of mid-October, the game had sold 52,234 copies in Japan. Ryoei Mikage, founder and

CEO A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...

of Imageepoch, said he is interested in the possibility of making a sequel to the game. "Cyril", a character from the game, was made available as a playable character in another Imageepoch game, ''Chevalier Saga Tactics'', when playing a special ''Sol Trigger'' themed mission.

References

{{Reflist, 30em

External links

Official site
2012 video games Image Epoch games J.C.Staff Japan-exclusive video games Role-playing video games PlayStation Portable games PlayStation Portable-only games Video games developed in Japan Single-player video games