Scalebound, once a beacon of ambitious action gaming, promised a thrilling blend of dynamic combat, evocative music, and a groundbreaking partnership with a colossal dragon companion. This Xbox One exclusive generated significant buzz, but ultimately fell victim to the cruel hand of cancellation in 2017, years after its 2014 announcement.
Recently, however, a flicker of hope ignited. Clovers Inc.’s official X account shared a video showcasing Hideki Kamiya and his team revisiting archived Scalebound gameplay. Kamiya's nostalgic reflection on the game's development and his continued pride in the project, despite its demise, was palpable. His subsequent retweet of the video, featuring the impactful message, "Come on, Phil, let's do this!", directly addressed Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, igniting speculation about a potential revival.
This isn't a new desire for Kamiya. As early as 2022, he voiced his interest in exploring a Scalebound resurgence with Microsoft. While rumors of a reboot swirled, particularly intensely in early 2023, Microsoft remained officially silent. Phil Spencer’s enigmatic smile and “I have nothing to add at this time” response to a Japanese Game Watch interview only fueled the flames of anticipation.
Even with renewed interest from Microsoft, a swift return is unlikely. Kamiya and Clovers Inc. are currently immersed in the development of a new Okami installment. Any Scalebound revival would have to wait until after the completion of their current project. Yet, the persistent embers of hope remain. The fact that Scalebound hasn't been entirely forgotten after all these years offers a glimmer of possibility: perhaps one day, gamers will finally experience the game’s long-awaited release.
