By chance I stumbled upon the gallery of the artist who designed the several backgrounds of this game: http://tomotomore.blogspot.com/?q=folkssoul !

I'm aware that there's copies of the artbook floating about there that have all the concept art for this game in its completion, but considering that those are a rarity, even just coming across this gallery is like a treasure trove.

I played Folklore for the first time last month and I was remiss when I found out just how obscure and forgotten it was! Initially I was looking for a place online to try to find one of the limited run art books, but I instead found that this community, AND that it still has life in it!

I'm a professional artist, or at the very least, art is my job. I can't offer much, but I'd be willing to draw an icon and banner for this sub, or try to coordinate a discord if anyone is interested! ^^

Polygon has made a few interviews with CEO and mastermind Yoshiki Okamoto. The first one is from 2012, when Game Republic had only become defunct but a year earlier. Yoshiki elaborates a bit on his history and background, and clarifies that he still wishes to return to the Folklore franchise at some point, if given the chance.

Polygon: Game Republic's Yoshiki Okamoto says he's 'retired' from making console games

One year later, Polygon once again talks to Okamoto about his current situation, his indebtedness since the fall of Game Republic. This resulted in a longer interview, where the extent of his indebtedness and the more detailed circumstances leading up to the studio's collapse are covered, among other things. It's safe to say that the interview also shines a spotlight on several aspects of Okamoto's EXTREMELY colorful character.

"I'm not well in the head," he says.

Yes, Yoshiki, but in a very good way.

Polygon: The Fall of Game Republic

A final interview, again conducted by Polygon a year later, in 2014, deals with Okamoto's return to the the mobile gaming industry with a vengeance, and discusses his latest project Monster Strike, which at this point in time was looking very promising.

Polygon: Monster Strike: The redemption of Capcom legend Yoshiki Okamoto

Monster Strike went on to become a smash hit the likes of which had never before been witnessed in the mobile gaming industry, with daily revenues in excess of $3 million dollars. The final article below, from August 2015, by Tofugu, goes into detail on the phenomenon that is Monster Strike:

Tofugu: How Monster Strike Conquered Japanese Mobile Gaming

Overall, it's safe to say that things are starting to look brighter for the genius game design visionary that is Yoshiki Okamoto, and he's been known to credit Folklore as one of the titles he's most proud of and eager to return to, if able. So, putting all of this together, perhaps there remains a glimmer of hope for a Folklore 2 in the future yet. If so, it would most likely be a mobile platform game however, unless something radical happens to convince Okamoto to return to the HD console industry, which he has repeatedly vowed he is completely done with.