The shadows are getting a new place to play. The Eminence in Shadow: Phantom Echoes has been announced as a new 3D action roguelite based on the popular light novel and anime series, marking the franchise’s first console game. The title is currently scheduled to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.
The announcement was made during the September 3 PlayStation State of Play, where a first look at the game offered a glimpse at its fast-paced combat, roguelite progression system and some of the characters caught up in Cid Kagenou’s increasingly ridiculous double life.
Rather than simply adapting the anime into a straightforward action game, Phantom Echoes is being built around the unpredictability of the roguelite genre. Players will be able to enhance their characters during each run, with abilities selected as they progress. The combination of randomly offered upgrades and a wide selection of abilities is intended to let players create different builds from one playthrough to the next.
That structure should be a natural fit for The Eminence in Shadow, a series where absurdly powerful characters, elaborate secret organizations and Cid’s complete misunderstanding of reality constantly collide.
The debut trailer puts Alpha at the centre of the action, showcasing her swordplay and giving players a look at the game’s Awakening system. Ability selection appears to be one of the key components of Phantom Echoes, with players making choices throughout their runs that can dramatically influence how their characters perform in battle.
The footage also hints that the story will not simply be a collection of familiar moments from the anime. Near the end of the trailer, a wounded Delta can be seen, while another scene teases a confrontation between Alpha and Shadow. Exactly what leads to these encounters remains under wraps for now, but the trailer suggests that players can expect a story with plenty of twists rather than a predictable retelling.
The concept of The Eminence in Shadow has always revolved around Cid’s unusual ability to accidentally turn his fantasies into reality. After growing up obsessed with the idea of becoming an unseen mastermind operating from the darkness, Cid is given the ultimate opportunity to live out that fantasy when he is reincarnated in another world.
Taking the name Shadow, Cid establishes the Shadow Garden and begins working against what he believes is a fictional evil organization known as the Cult of Diablos. The problem for Cid is that the cult actually exists.
From there, his increasingly elaborate lies and misunderstandings begin producing real results. The girls he recruits into Shadow Garden come to genuinely believe in his supposed master plan, while Cid remains convinced that everyone around him is simply playing along with his elaborate role-playing.
That mix of over-the-top action and comedy has helped turn The Eminence in Shadow into a major success. The series has surpassed 8 million copies sold worldwide, while its anime adaptation has expanded the franchise to an even larger audience.
Phantom Echoes will now give fans an opportunity to experience that world through a gameplay system designed around replayability. Instead of relying on a fixed progression path, the roguelite structure should encourage players to experiment with different ability combinations and builds as they tackle increasingly dangerous enemies.
The game also appears to be putting considerable emphasis on the series’ powerful characters. Alpha’s combat is prominently featured in the first trailer, while the appearance of Shadow suggests that players can expect some particularly explosive encounters as the game progresses.
There is still plenty that has not been revealed about Phantom Echoes, including the full playable roster, the scope of its story and exactly how its roguelite systems will work over the course of a complete run. Those details will likely become clearer as the 2027 release approaches.
The game is being published through a partnership with Aiming Ltd. and will arrive at a particularly busy time for the franchise. A brand-new theatrical film, The Eminence in Shadow: Resonance Arc, is also scheduled for release in 2027, giving fans multiple new ways to return to the series’ world.
For now, The Eminence in Shadow: Phantom Echoes stands out as a surprisingly fitting direction for the franchise. The combination of chaotic action, powerful characters and constantly changing abilities could allow the game to capture some of the unpredictability that makes Cid’s adventures so entertaining.
The Eminence in Shadow: Phantom Echoes is scheduled to release in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.