HELIOS Rising Heroes
is a strategic RPG mobile game, developed in collaboration by Happy Elements of the hit mobile game Ensemble Stars! fame and Cacalia Studios.
50 years ago, a high energy source called “Substance” from outer space dropped on the state of MILLION, bringing unlimited resources to Earth which at the time was depleted from natural resources. Although it may seem that “Substance” is a blessing, it was also the source of world-spread disasters.
To face the eminent threat, the state of MILLION established a strategic department called “HELIOS” and entrusted the energy crystals discovered from the “Substance” to a trusted few. “Heroes” are then born to save the world and to bring in peace.
The game follows the story of the eight graduates of the 13th Hero Class along with their seven hero mentors as they band together to save the world and fight the mysterious terrorist organisation Eclipse. Players assume the role of the commander to guide these heroes through different missions.
The first arc, retroactively named Like the dawning light, concluded in 2022 with 13 chapters. A second arc named Sing in the darkness was announced in early 2023 and released the following February introducing four new characters called the 12th Robins and concluded in two chapters. The third arc, named First Storm, was announced in August 2023 and is set to release in December.
This game provides examples of:
- Applied Phlebotinum: Substance is responsible for every bad situation in the game. Everything from a Hate Plague to making giant monsters fight to compelling people to hate Christmas.
- Cast Full of Pretty Boys: Per the norm of a mobile game with an almost entirely male cast.
- Dangerous Forbidden Technique: Overflow is the ability to push a Hero's superpower beyond its limits but the drawback is that it will eventually start to inflict the power's effects on the hero themselves (ie. Akira's flames means his body starts burning up and Brad's body will start turning into steel if Overflow is used for too long).
- Eagleland: Very much a type 1 as the game leans into American superhero tropes and New Million being an idealistic depiction of American cities, with foods and activities notably being American-themed.
- Fun with Acronyms: HELIOS stands for "HEro's Laboratory Investigation of Substance.
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: The second anniversary event is about Substance that makes senior Mentors forget the memories of exactly one year.
- The Main Characters Do Everything: Despite there being 13 classes worth of heroes running around with people from older generations still being active like Jay and Junior's father, it's ridiculous how often the main characters have to handle everything considering half of them are still rookies.
- Odd Name Out: Akira and Ren are the only characters in the cast with Japanese names. Justified since New Million is stated to be a melting pot of nationalities.
- Shout-Out: The second Halloween event has Faith and Dino dress up as the Ghostbusters for their Halloween costumes.
- Smurfette Principle: Lily McQueen is the only relevant named female character in an otherwise entirely male cast. She’s a technical instructor at HELIOS. There's also Jacqueline, though she's a robot.
- Team Pet: Oscar owns a hedgehog named Alexander, which other members of South Sector are shown to care for in their off time.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Everyone in the cast has a particular type of food they love, which is used in gameplay as they can be given their favorite food for raising affection.
