Marvelous USA has re-opened pre-orders for the Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Earth Dancer Edition, after its production was impacted by the unpredictable international tariff situation.
This limited edition includes a Japanese-inspired sacred fan with display stand, two-disc soundtrack CD, 160-page art book, exclusive downloadable content and Woolby plush keychain. You can now place your pre-order through the Marvelous USA Store.
“There are still a lot of unknown variables, but with a significant drop in tariffs on goods from China finally happening this week, I wanted to provide another update on the status of the ‘sensu’ folding fans that had been delaying the assembly of our limited ‘Earth Dancer Edition’ of Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma on Nintendo Switch,” Marvelous USA president Ken Berry shared in an update.
“Though the tariffs are still significant and pose a hefty unanticipated expense to us, it is thankfully less than what it would have been so we are taking this opportunity to fly over the fans from China as quickly as possible.
“The earliest flight we would book them on is this weekend, and upon arriving into the US they would then need to clear customs before being trucked to our assembly house in another state, where they would be hand-assembled into the ‘Earth Dancer Edition’ (and the ‘Earth Dancer Accessory Set’). Once complete, the units would then have to be trucked to our warehouse in yet another state, where they will be staged and then shipped to all our retail partners across the Americas.
“If everything goes smoothly, our best estimate is that these units will be available about 2 weeks after the official June 5th launch date. This date could slip later if there’s a huge backlog at customs or some other unforeseen obstacle, but we are also working diligently to see if this can be sped up at all as we know even a day or two makes a huge difference when it comes ot people playing a game they had been anticipating for a long time.
“With this new development we are reopening pre-orders on our online store for both the ‘Earth Dancer Edition’ for Nintendo Switch as well as the ‘Earth Dancer Accessory Set’ as we can finally give a more confident delivery window to allow people to make an informed decision. We once again apologize for the delay, and want to thank everyone for your support and understanding through these volatile times. We will share a new exact date once we are able to confirm it.”
This latest entry in the action RPG and life simulation series introduces you to the Eastern territory of Azuma, which is described as “a land of Japanese-inspired visuals and unique twists on familiar gameplay elements from the Rune Factory franchise.”
Ravaged by the effects of the Celestial Collapse and the cessation of power provided by the runes, the eastern lands of Azuma are a shadow of their prosperous past. Weakened by corruptive forces, the gods of nature retreated from the world, leaving mountains to crumble and fields to wither.
The people of Azuma seek aid against a blight that has swept these once-bountiful lands. One young hero enters into a contract with a dragon and sets out on a journey. “Accept the might of the Earth Dancer. Use this power to save the land.”
You will assume the role of an Earth Dancer destined to return hope, and life, to the once-thriving land. Choose from one of two protagonists whose fates are closely tied together, you can experience “reimagined and expanded Rune Factory gameplay.” As an Earth Dancer, you must farm with grace, restore and build entire villages, and fight with new weapons like the Bow and Talismans.
With majestic villages to uncover in Azuma’s vast expanse, each takes inspiration from Japanese culture and has a seasonal theme. You must also cultivate relationships with the locals, recruiting them to your side in battle or to help manage the villages. There’s also the chance to wield sacred treasures of the gods and the Earth Dancer’s power of dance to purify the land and return Azuma to its former glory.
The publisher has outlined the game’s key features, which include:
- Bold New Abilities and Weapons: As an Earth Dancer, use the power of dance, sacred treasures, and fresh weapons like the Bow and Talismans to purify the land, farm, and undo the Blight’s damage.
- It Takes a Village: Don’t just mind the farm – rebuild entire villages! Construct and place buildings strategically to entice people to return to the villages and contribute. Revive the gods to bring vitality and valuable resources back to the plagued lands.
- Your Fantasy Japanese Life: Experience beautiful Japanese-inspired character designs and aesthetics – from festivals to events to monsters. Explore Azuma’s natural landscapes and its seasonal-themed locales steeped in tradition.
- Classic Romance and Relationships: Choose between male and female protagonists, then befriend or romance any of the eligible candidates – god and mortal alike – in fully voiced scenarios. Recruit these new friends to aid in dynamic battles, too!
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be released at retail and digitally on the Nintendo eShop for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 worldwide on 5 June 2025.
