Matrix Software

A Japanese video game development studio founded in 1996, best known for creating the action role-playing game Alundra.

Action

Role-playing (RPG)

Strategy

Tactics

Board



Website

Founded

1994

HQ

Tokyo, Japan

Known for

Role-playing / Action-adventure / Platform

42

Games

1997–2021

Years

15

Platforms

$28.55

Ø CIB

-12.7%

24M change

About

Matrix Software was established by former staff members of Climax Entertainment and Game Arts. The studio gained prominence with its debut PlayStation title, Alundra, in 1997. They subsequently developed Alundra 2 and went on to work on numerous high-profile RPG remakes and mobile titles for publishers like Square Enix.

Following their initial PlayStation releases, the developer diversified into new genres. In 1998, they released Legend, a tactical role-playing game featuring character designs by Yoshitaka Amano. That same year, the studio updated Hudson Soft's classic turn-based strategy series with Nectaris (also released as Nectaris Military Madness).

The North American localization of their debut title, published as Adventures of Alundra in 1998, earned critical acclaim for its dark narrative and complex dungeon design. The studio followed this with Alundra 2 in 2000, which shifted the franchise from two-dimensional sprites to a three-dimensional presentation.

In the mid-2000s, the company transitioned toward handheld and mobile platforms. They developed the three-dimensional Nintendo DS remakes of Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV, utilizing a distinct chibi art style. Their portfolio further expanded to include Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 and various mobile installments of the Tales series, establishing the studio as a reliable collaborator for major Japanese publishers.