Attack on Titan 3 Reveals Major Gameplay Overhaul

If you've been waiting for news about Attack on Titan 3, you're in for a good day. Koei Tecmo and Omega Force just released a hefty batch of updates on the game, and from what's been shown, this is shaping up to be the largest and most ambitious Attack on Titan title to date.

It covers the anime from start to finish, and based on the reveal, it's set to be a real step up from Attack on Titan 2 in almost every way. You got two pieces of media out of this reveal: a 45-minute presentation walking through gameplay and features in detail, plus a shorter three-minute trailer that hits the highlights for anyone who doesn't have time for the full breakdown.

Both paint a picture of a game built to expand on everything that came before it, with more polish, more systems, and a lot more content packed in.

At its core, Attack on Titan 3 is still an action game centered on the omnidirectional mobility gear, but that system has been reworked to feel more fluid and more responsive. You'll notice more freedom in how you move through the world, with movement described as more versatile overall.

The Titans themselves are getting new attacks and new behavior patterns, so fights won't play out the same way twice. There are also casual modes built in for anyone who wants to enjoy the story and visuals without wrestling with tricky maneuvering. On top of that, combat has been reworked, and new areas have been added to explore.

You could argue that translating something like Attack on Titan into a video game was never going to be easy. Capturing the intensity of the anime in interactive form is a tall order, and while the first two games had their rough edges, they still managed to carve out something that felt distinct and true to the source.

Attack on Titan 3 looks like it's trying to build on that foundation rather than start over. One of the bigger additions this time is squad building. You get to form and lead your own Scout Regiment / Survey Corps, pulling from a wide roster of characters, each with their own skills and specialties.

You'll take that squad on missions beyond the walls.

Set up supply bases, and work together to bring down Titans and push humanity's territory further out. The world outside the walls is still dangerous and full of man-eating Titans, so charging in head-on isn't the move. You're expected to use the environment, your surroundings, and a variety of traps to get the upper hand instead.

Exploration is getting a serious upgrade, too. The game world itself is noticeably bigger, with more open areas to explore outside the walls than in previous entries. You'll be building out your custom squad, assigning roles and abilities to each character, constructing bases, and using terrain and traps to your advantage in fights.

This open-area approach might be one of the most exciting parts of the whole package, since it opens the door to deeper environments and potentially a lot more content overall. Character interaction is another area getting more depth. You'll play as your own custom scout, an engineer drawn to the world beyond the walls who eventually gets chosen to lead the 104th Cadet Corps after proving they can handle command.

From there, you'll interact and fight alongside familiar faces like Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and the rest of the main cast. Building relationships with them will give you new fighting skills along with some special scenes, and you can create your own look through customization as well.

It looks like character relationships are one of the most important elements of Attack on Titan 3.

There's also a new opening animation in the works, which is always a fun detail for anime game fans. It's being directed by Arifumi Imai, known for their work as an action scene animator, storyboard artist, and key animator on the Attack on Titan anime itself.

Interestingly, the animation isn't finished yet and won't be included at launch; it's planned as a post-release update instead. The team behind it shared their excitement about the project, saying they're working hard on an intro that fans will love, and asked for a bit of patience while it comes together.

Back to the character relationships: you'll unlock abilities and cutscenes as bonds deepen, and there are scenes written exclusively for this game that won't be found anywhere else. How much depth these scenes actually have remains to be seen, but if done well, they could add a meaningful layer for longtime fans.

Given that the game spans the entire story from beginning to end, it seems like it's primarily aimed at people who already have some familiarity with the anime, whether that's hardcore fans or casual viewers who've seen a season or two. It's probably not going to be the kind of game that pulls in people with zero knowledge of the source material, but covering the full story is still a big plus for existing fans.

A scouting mission was also shown off in detail.

You'll meet your squadmates, each with their own roles, combat upgrades, and gathering abilities, and you can bring different Attack on Titan characters into your custom squad. Squad progression carries over between missions, so the choices you make matter over time.

Traversal has its own layer of strategy, too; you'll ride horses to save gas, saving the ODM gear specifically for combat situations. The Titans are experiencing a new twist, too, as they have become less predictable. This is something that appears to have been a significant concern of the developers in ensuring that all encounters become more unpredictable based on your actions.

Your teammates also won’t be hanging around aimlessly, as they will conduct themselves independently of your actions. Stealth also plays a role here. You'll be able to scout ahead, identify Titans in the distance, and decide whether to avoid a group entirely or prepare for a fight.

Ambush mechanics let you hide, sneak up, and knock Titans down, and you can pull off joint attacks alongside your allies. Clearing Titans near a lookout point unlocks useful bonuses like map intel and navigation tools. Difficulty options are flexible, too.

Lower settings are there if you just want to experience the story without a steep challenge.

The deeper Titan behavior and nuance seem to really come alive on standard or higher difficulties. Once you reach a base, you'll be able to restock gas, refill weapons, heal up, and fast travel, which becomes especially useful given how much open space there is to cover.

It's not being pitched as a fully open world, but more of a semi-open exploration structure, which still sounds like a big deal for a series built around traveling beyond the walls. You'll also be able to gather materials and artifacts along the way for upgrades.

There's plenty more expected to come out of Anime Expo in Los Angeles, which kicks off shortly, including a new trailer and additional details on missions, buildings, and combat systems. The game will reportedly be featured at the event as well.

Even with everything shown so far, it still feels like Attack on Titan 3 is built primarily for fans of the series rather than newcomers. If you've watched the whole anime or even just a season or two, there's a good chance this game will click with you.

A lot of viewers tend to stop around the end of Season 3.

This could be a solid way for that crowd to catch up on where the story goes from there, provided the narrative gets the depth it deserves rather than rushing through major moments. Nothing beats watching the anime itself for the full experience.

But a well-made adaptation, similar in spirit to something like Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, can still be a worthwhile way to revisit the story with added depth and new character moments. For people who've already been through the story multiple times, the exclusive scenes and custom character interactions give this version something extra to offer.

As for release timing, Attack on Titan 3 doesn't have an official date yet, but it's currently slated for a winter release. Given how other titles using that same "winter" window have ended up slipping into early 2027, Metro 2039 is a recent example.

It wouldn't be surprising if Attack on Titan 3 lands sometime around January or February 2027 instead. The game is confirmed for PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam, so no matter your platform of choice, you'll be able to jump in once it releases.