Nihon Falcom

A Japanese video game developer founded in 1981, best known for creating the Ys and The Legend of Heroes role-playing game series.

Action role-playing

Role-playing (RPG)

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Website

Founded

1981

HQ

Tachikawa, Japan

Known for

Action RPG / Japanese RPG / Adventure

7

Games

2007–now

Years

6

Platforms

$58.94

Ø CIB

+7.8%

24M change

About

Nihon Falcom Corporation is a pioneering Japanese developer specializing in action role-playing games. Established by Masayuki Kato, the company is credited with helping to shape the ARPG genre with franchises like Ys and Dragon Slayer. They are also highly regarded for their influential in-house music group, Falcom Sound Team jdk.

Founded in 1981, the company initially developed software for personal computers, establishing a strong presence on Japanese PC platforms before transitioning its focus to home consoles and handheld systems. Over the decades, the developer built a reputation for narrative depth and intricate world-building, particularly through its long-running interconnected series.

Among its notable releases is the whimsical action-RPG Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure (2007), which departed from the studio's traditional high-fantasy aesthetic. The company achieved widespread modern acclaim with Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA (2018), which also received a physical Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA [Limited Edition] (2018) release. Falcom also expanded its narrative-heavy tactical gameplay with Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III (2019), which saw specialized physical releases including the Legend Of Heroes: Trails Of Cold Steel III [Thors Academy Edition] (2019) and the Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III [Extracurricular Edition] (2020). Today, the studio remains highly active, maintaining a dedicated global fanbase through localized releases of its extensive catalog.