Sanctuary Games, a new Korean indie game studio, has officially announced its first title , *Zanerdin: The Unbound* . Currently in development for simultaneous release on PlayStation 5 and PC (Steam), the title has already garnered industry attention even before its release for its unique design philosophy of “non-transactional gacha.”
Gacha without Paying: Paradox or Innovation?
Zanerdin: The Unbound’s most notable feature is its gacha mechanic, which completely excludes in-app purchases. All characters, pets, and equipment in the game can only be acquired through gameplay, which includes 60 turn-based battle stages, boss raids, abyss boss raids, and hidden raids. Gacha goods and currency can be obtained within the game without the need for cash.
“We may be an indie team, but that doesn’t mean the narrative has to be small,” said Hyunduk You, founder and CEO of Sanctuary Games. “We want to show that gacha gameplay can be fun without spending money.” You added that he hopes the game will “embody the experiences gamers actually want.”
Worldview and Story: A World of Elements, A Powerless Protagonist
The game is set in the fantasy world of Kalatos. Here, the six “Blessings”—water, fire, earth, metal, wind, and electricity—serve as the foundation of world order. Each person is granted an elemental blessing at birth, which serves as an absolute standard that determines not only their abilities but also their social standing and even their life’s direction. In other words, the element they are born with determines their destiny.
However, at the center of the world lies an exceptional space: the so-called “Chaos Region.” Those born here grow up without any elemental blessings and are relegated to the margins of a blessing-centric society. In a world where elemental powers symbolize power and order, the presence of nothingness synonymous with exclusion and discrimination.
Gamers take on the role of Zanerdin, a protagonist from the Chaos Realm, as he explores the blessed continent. The goal of the journey is not simply adventure; it’s to uncover the truth behind his family’s past and uncover the secrets hidden beneath the fabric of the world. The story unfolds through hand-drawn cutscenes in an animated style, expanding beyond individual fate into a narrative that threatens to upend the balance of the world.
Ultimately, Zanerdin: The Unbound is the story of a man who defies a destiny determined from birth, and the prelude to a new legend that shatters the elemental order.
Strategy-focused battle design… Synergy combinations determine victory or defeat.
Zanerdin: The Unbound features over 25 playable characters and a ten-type pet system, and features strategic battles based on a variety of tactical formations. Each character possesses unique elemental attributes and differentiated skills based on their combat position. The game prioritizes combination-based tactics over mere numerical competition.
In particular, the “Theme” and “Synergy” systems form the core of team composition. Combining specific elements or roles triggers additional effects, significantly altering the battle dynamics depending on which characters are deployed and how. This allows gamers to design their own strategic combinations and experience the fun of experimenting with various builds.
The endgame features a 5v5 tournament mode. Equip yourself with top-tier gear and optimal team composition to defeat AI opponents and earn the title of Champion. This unlocks the more challenging “Hardcore” postgame stage. This challenging content encourages replayability and tests your strategic mastery at higher difficulties.
Furthermore, the developer plans to sequentially introduce additional story content and new characters through DLC after launch. This will expand the game’s worldview and establish a foundation for long-term service operation.
A new K-indie studio founded by experienced developers.
Sanctuary Games is a small independent studio founded in April 2025 by CEO Yoo Hyun-deok, a former business development manager at NEOWIZ. Headquartered in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, the studio aims to build player-centric worlds based on robust core design. Their debut title, Zanerdin: The Unbound, is the first tangible example of this approach. The studio plans to expand into media and merchandise, including publishing novels and producing merchandise utilizing the IP.
Release Schedule and Future Plans
The game is currently in the pre-alpha stage, and a release before 2027 is unlikely. Pricing will be announced at a later date. Interested gamers can add the title to their Steam wishlist, check it out on the PlayStation Store, and subscribe to development updates via the official Discord.
The concept of “gacha without spending money” has long been aspirational among genre fans. Zanerdin: The Unbound attempts to differentiate itself from existing collectible RPGs by embracing the experimental “non-spending gacha” mechanic and strategically focused battle design. With a robust worldview and expandable IP strategy, the industry is eager to see how well this debut game will perform.
Steam Store Page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3932330/Zanerdin_The_Unbound/
Developer’s website:
https://www.sanctuarygameskr.com/games-1
