Varlet: Everything We Know

Varlet, a school-life RPG, is gearing up to hit our screens in 2025. Developed by FuRyu and AQURIA, the game is a school-life simulation RPG. The game promises to take us on a thrilling ride in a futuristic high school. The school is filled with mystery, adventure, and a mind-bending virtual world. Varlet blends psychological depth, social simulation, and strategic combat in a high school setting. As we approach its release, here’s everything we know about Varlet, from its story to its gameplay, trailer, development, and much more.

What is Varlet?

Varlet is an upcoming school-life RPG. The RPG mixes an ordinary school-life simulator experience with an eerie story about disappearing students and virtual worlds. The game is set in a school, Kousei Academy.

Kousei Academy is not your typical high school. The school is the first to implement Johari, a cross-reality, virtual reality network. Students use the Johari window for almost everything. The Johari network influences everything from academics to shopping and the students’ social lives. In addition, the network serves as a social networking and messaging app. Therefore, it creates an environment where social validation is paramount.

However, students who take it too far into the network’s influence begin to disappear. The students disappear into Glitches, which are surreal worlds in the game. Players take the role of a transfer student who gets way more than expected. The player has to solve the mystery of the disappearances. Varlet is a gripping blend of school drama, mystery-solving, and mind-bending twists.

Story

Varlet throws you headfirst into the world of a school-life RPG. However, the story has a seriously intriguing twist. The narrative of Varlet unfolds within the halls of Kousei Academy. The school is the first to implement the Johari, a virtual reality network. The tech is everywhere, helping students learn, connect, and even have fun in virtual zones. However, the network is an innovation that comes with unintended consequences.

Whispers about students mysteriously disappearing into weird glitches are spreading like wildfire. And the creepy part? It seems to be linked to how much students crave online attention through Johari. Students vanish into the alternate world, leaving behind only their digital footprints.

You play as a new transfer student who is drawn into the mystery of these disappearances. Some classmates have already been replaced by these monsters. You are a member of the Student Support Services (SSS) guild, a group dedicated to helping fellow classmates. Your mission is to guide friends, build bonds, and fight to protect the school. Therefore, the group began to investigate the origins of these glitches. The further they dive into the mystery, the more they realise that their own identity and the nature of reality are intricately tied to the Glitches.

In Varlet, choices matter, as getting too close to multiple characters or making certain decisions can lead to unexpected, even dangerous, consequences.

Gameplay

Varlet offers a blend of traditional school-life simulation and turn-based combat. Players experience the day-to-day life of a student at Kousei Academy. Therefore, players engage in activities such as interacting with classmates, participating in various school activities, and managing relationships.

Your relationships with other students are crucial to the story. The choices you make will influence how those relationships unfold.

The turn-based combat system in Varlet stands out. The game uses a unique “Timeline Command” system, where players can plan their actions by predicting and reacting to enemy movements. The system provides players with a unique way to control their characters during battle using a timeline to anticipate and react to enemy actions.

In addition, players can choose between two distinct combat roles, Leader or Ruler. The Leader focuses on supporting the team using buffs, healing, and strategy. The Ruler, on the other hand, is all about raw power. You use devastating attacks that can cause massive damage, though at the risk of harming yourself in the process.

However, the gameplay is not just about physical combat. The player’s internal struggles play a big role in the game’s progression. Varlet has the Triad Stats system, which tracks the protagonist’s psychological traits. The player’s actions, dialogues, and decisions will shape the personality of the character. The stats are also divided into two categories. One of the categories is the Light Triad, which represents morality, sympathy, and altruism. On the other hand, the Dark Triad includes Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. The stats affect how the protagonist interacts with others. They also unlock new combat abilities depending on how the player chooses to develop them.

Players must therefore balance external challenges with internal growth. This adds a layer of complexity to the gameplay. It’s not just about defeating enemies. Players must also decide who they want to become.

Trailer

The official announcement of Varlet on April 23, 2025, was accompanied by a reveal trailer. The trailer offered the first glimpse into the game’s world, characters, and atmosphere. In addition, the trailer shows the game’s striking art style, atmospheric setting, and a glimpse of its combat and social systems.

In the beginning, we see an ordinary life at Kousei Academy. Students are attending classes while interacting with each other. However, as the trailer progresses, we get a peek at the darker side of the school: the Glitches. The Glitches are visually stunning with surreal environments that contrast sharply with the mundane school setting. The contrast creates a sense of unease and intrigue.

In addition, the trailer shows the Timeline Command system in action. The dynamic battles look fast-paced and strategic. The duality of the Leader and Ruler roles is also a highlight, showing the different combat approaches players can take. Judging from the trailer, it is clear that combat in Varlet will be anything but boring.

Development

To bring Varlet to life is a collaboration between FuRyu Corporation and AQURIA Co., Ltd. The developers have a solid track record in creating engaging and story-driven RPGs.

Release Dates and Platforms

We will not have to wait too long to get our hands on the game. Varlet will release on August 28, 2025. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Both physical and digital editions will be available for PlayStation 5 and Switch. A special limited box edition will also offer exclusive content. It will have an 80-page creative art book, soundtrack CDs, and a premium canvas board. In addition, the edition will have DLC outfits inspired by Monark and The Caligula Effect 2 and exclusive stickers.