Baten Kaitos Origins is 20 years before the first game. It explains how Emperor Geldoblame became evil and details the heroes from the first title. Players will also learn how the world began and why the Lost Ocean returned. Sagi, a young blue-haired hero, was sent to assassinate the Emperor but found that it had already been done. After being blamed for the death, he and two friends, a robot named Guillo and a young woman named Milly, fled. The player’s party moves linearly from region to region. After a few hours, players will get a ship that lets them visit areas in any order, allowing them to do side quests or rush through the primary mission.
Unlike traditional RPGs, characters level up by getting better Magnus cards. Over 600 Magnus cards in Baten Kaitos Origins have odd properties. Trade, buy, receive as battle spoils, or make cards.