Most gamers know the ZeniMax subsidiary Tango Gameworks as the developers of Bethesda’sEvil Withinseries and the upcomingGhostwire: Tokyo. Thus, players might have a fairly specific idea of the typical outputfrom Shinji Mikami’s studio. That mental image probably does not include a casual mobile game with a colorful, chibi-inspired art style.

However, that is precisely whatTheEvil Within’sdeveloper is working on. On February 14,Tango Gameworksreleased a trailer announcing the new mobile gameHero Dice. Japanese players can register now for Android and iOS, with a release window set for this Spring. However, it’s unknown if Tango plans to release an English-language version of the game. Note that much of the following information comes from a machine translation of the game’s official site.

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Hero Diceisan Android and iOS action card gamepartially based on a Japanese board game known as sugoroku, meaning “double six.” Specifically, it’s based on the simplified and much more popular e-sugoroku, or “picture sugoroku” variant, which resembles the game known as Snakes and Ladders in the West. However,Hero Diceis more than just a virtual recreation of the popular board game.

Hero Diceplayers select one of several Heroes who progress along a square board. Characters move based on the number of the dice roll, then do battle with various monsters, and two heroes can aid each other if they happen to land on the same space. Different spaces also grant different effects, which can help or hinder Heroes in battle. However, players can override these effects by playing cards from their hand.Hero Dicealso supports both a single-player mode and up to four players in co-op multiplayer.

Based on the trailer and screenshots, the game’s 3D models resemble colorful chibi characters. Heroes also have more detailed anime-inspired cards and portraits, and players can upgrade them with various items and evolutions. Additionally,Hero Diceis free-to-play but appears to contain microtransactions, premium currency, and gacha mechanics. All of which are common butoften predatory elements found in many Android and iOS games. Players who pre-register can unlock free Heroes, items, and premium currency, though the game is currently Japan-only.

Hero Diceis being published by Bethesda Softworks and ZeniMax Asia K.K., the company’s Tokyo-based subsidiary. Interestingly, the game’s website describes it as “led by Shinji Mikami,” the Director ofEvil WithinandExecutive Producer of the upcomingGhostwire: Tokyo. However, the phrasing of the machine translation makes it unclear if that is in reference toHero Diceor Tango Gameworks in general.

Hero Dicereleases in Japan for Android and iOS in Fall 2022.