New Game Turns Naruto’s Talk no Jutsu Into a Main Gameplay Mechanic

It’s not exactly novel to point out that one of the indie scene’s most valuable assets is its ingenuity. Groundbreaking games like Who’s Lila, The Alters, and Mouthwashing would likely never have been made if not for the unfettered creativity of indie developers, whose ideas are often a bit too outlandish or intimidating to AAA money-movers. Upcoming indie Harmony of Aetheria is looking to continue this trend of creative excellence through a thoughtful touch of Talk no Jutsu, as it were.

Talk no Jutsu (Art of Talking) is a concept coined by Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto, and references the trope of a character using nothing more than speech to alter the behavior of their opponent. In other words, it’s a fancy anime term for trash-talking, something that the likes of Naruto are more than familiar with. On the one hand, formalizing such a genre staple can be seen as a bit silly, or as little more than a nod to the audience, but there’s a case to be made that Talk no Jutsu is more than that. Words are a form of magic, known to anger, inspire, amuse, or terrify their targets. This is what Harmony of Aetheria is attempting to channel, as seen in a recently revealed gameplay showcase.

Harmony of Aetheria Aims to Make Dialogue a Key Part of Combat

The Pen Is as Mighty as the Sword in Harmony of Aetheria

In a post shared by developer Chill Dragon Games on Reddit, the dialogue mechanics of Harmony of Aetheria are described as being like “Mass Effect, but you actually talk to enemies during combat.” Harmony of Aetheria‘s gameplay trailer demonstrates how this works in practice: the game plays out like a traditional third-person action brawler, but the player can hurl insults, threats, logic, and more at their enemies in the midst of fights. Depending on a number of factors, these dialogue exchanges can enrage, assuage, or intimidate the enemy. Any of these outcomes can change the course of a given battle, so says Chill Dragon Games.

Based on the Reddit thread in question, Chill Dragon Games appears to be a solo developer.

The mechanics of this dialogue system are only briefly expounded upon in the Reddit post and ensuing comments, but Chill Dragon Games paints a promising picture. For example, the developer noted that a boss’s Rage meter, pictured in the trailer, can be filled as a result of hurling insults and other unsavory comments, and that upon filling this meter, the boss will transform into a “fire golem.” The fire golem poses a greater threat, but will also yield a greater reward upon defeat.

This example encounter gestures toward great ambitions for the dialogue system, as it could theoretically deepen gameplay through complex risk-reward mechanics, relative to a given boss or enemy. Chill Dragon Games has noted that this feature is very much a work in progress and that there are plans to add voice acting and other improvements.

Though Humble, Harmony of Aetheria Could Break New Ground

Chill Dragon Games is far from an established studio and, as previously mentioned, it appears to be either a one-person operation or a small team. But if the past few years have taught gamers anything, it’s to not underestimate humble beginnings. Stardew Valley and Undertale are both solo projects, and worldwide phenomena like the impossibly successful Hollow Knight games have come from similarly lean studios.

If done right, Harmony of Aetheria‘s dialogue-infused combat could be something truly unique. Combat and dialogue options are two of the oldest video game design tropes around, so it only makes sense to try to fuse them. Here’s hoping Chill Dragon Games sticks the landing.