- Milano Beehive Studios’ debut title × Team17 Publishing, simultaneous release on Steam and Nintendo Switch
- 140 Animon with 5 Emotion Attributes in Pokémon × Final Fantasy Battle DNA… Metacritic 84–88 points
A boy named Trey wakes up in a red forest having lost his memory. His encounter with a local boy named Alles, who discovers him, marks the beginning of an adventure across the unknown continent of Tarea.
LumenTale: Memories of Trey, a monster-collecting RPG developed by the Italian indie studio Beehive Studios in Milan and published by Team17, was released simultaneously on Steam and Nintendo Switch on May 26. It supports backward compatibility with Nintendo Switch 2 and is priced at $24.99. Early adopter DLC is available for free during the first month of release.
The game got off to a smooth start, recording a Metacritic score in the mid-80s (84–88 points) and being described as “a passionate love letter that uniquely combines the combat elements of Pokémon and Final Fantasy.”
Tarea, perfected with pixel aesthetics… high perfection in visuals and sound
Lumentale stands out with visuals that offer a modern reinterpretation of classic JRPG sensibilities. The pixel-based sprites are It evokes nostalgia for the old Pokémon games played in childhood, while adding vibrancy through detailed direction and animation.
In particular, each region of the Tarea continent possesses its own distinct colors and atmosphere, and the designs of the creatures called Animon express both cuteness and individuality. Furthermore, the addition of a professionally produced soundtrack completes the immersive experience that draws the player deep into the world.
4v4 Team Battles and 5 Emotion Attributes, Battle DNA of Pokémon and Final Fantasy
The core of the game lies in its combat system. It combines elements of Pokémon and the Final Fantasy series, but stands out for creating its own rules beyond simple imitation.
The biggest feature is that it supports up to 4v4 team battles, moving away from the existing 1v1-centric structure. Players must form a party and devise a strategy by combining the abilities and skills of each Animon.
In addition, a system of five ’emotional attributes’ has been added to enhance the charm of combat. For example, the ‘calmness’ attribute increases critical hit probability, while the ‘fear’ attribute exerts psychological pressure on enemies, disrupting the flow of battle. In this way, emotions function as a combat mechanism, bringing out strategic depth that goes beyond a simple elemental advantage structure.
‘Anispace’ and the Bond System… Fun Beyond Collecting
Lumentail did not stop at mere collection and combat, but also focused on the relationship between the player and the Animon.
Anispace, featured in the game, is another core system serving as a personal space and a base for growth. Here, players can train Animon and decorate their own space by crafting or arranging furniture.
As time spent with Animon increases, the bond strengthens, which also affects combat abilities. This highlights the design of Animon as a ‘being that grows together’ rather than a mere object of collection.
Praise coexists with disappointment… “A work worth noting for genre fans”
Critical reception has been generally positive. Some international media outlets praised it, stating that it “evokes nostalgia while adding freshness to the genre with a new combat structure,” and there were also favorable reviews calling it an “impressive debut where the story, systems, and art harmonize.” Particularly noteworthy is the assessment that it is “a work that has secured an independent identity beyond the level of a Pokémon fan game.”
However, some reviews have raised concerns regarding technical completeness. Reports indicate that the game does not run smoothly in specific environments or encounters bugs, pointing out that optimization is holding it back compared to the quality of the content.
Nevertheless, the overall consensus is that it is “a title worth playing for genre fans, featuring a solid narrative, an original combat system, and attractive visuals.”
Italian Indie’s First Challenge… A New Interpretation of the Creature Collecting Genre
Beehive Studios is a new studio established in 2021, and completed its first work, Lumentale, with the goal of “surprising as many people as possible.”
Based on its experience supporting various indie projects, publisher Team17 is also continuing its investment in the creature-collecting RPG genre through this title.
Lumentale: Memories of Tray attempts yet another variation by adding new strategic depth, sensibility, and a relationship-centric system to the familiar conventions of the genre. Attention is focused on where this title, which respects genre traditions while presenting its own unique direction, will occupy within the new trends of creature-collecting RPGs.
Information regarding ‘LumenTale: Memories of Trey’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Beehive Studios (Milan, Italy / Established in 2021) |
| Publisher | Team17 |
| Genre | Monster Collecting RPG / Turn-based JRPG / Adventure |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) / Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch 2 (Backward compatible) |
| Release date | May 26, 2026 |
| price | £21.99 / $24.99 USD |
| Metacritic | 84~88 points |
| Animon Su | 140 types (5 emotional attributes) |
| Combat style | 1v1 ~ 4v4 Turn-based Team Battle |
| Edition | Standard · Deluxe (Steam · Switch) / Lumen Edition (Steam Exclusive, includes soundtrack and artbook) |
| Key Features | Animon Space / Animon Trade Station / Cooking and Crafting |
| Main Keywords | Monster collecting, Turn-based RPG, Pokémon-like, Animon, Tarea, Amnesia, Italian indie |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
