Angela Sep 23, 2008
This may be one to look out for. Says IGN's preview:
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"A brand new action RPG from Marvelous Entertainment's graces the pages of the latest issue of Famitsu. Avalon Code is in the DS spotlight this week, and it's already getting some amount of attention thanks to its high quality 3D engine.
In Avalon Code, you play as either Yumil and Tia, a young boy/girl duo born in a world that's on the verge of destruction. You've been having dreams about the world's end. One day, waking up from one of these dreams, you find a special book at your side. This book leads you on an adventure to explore the world, noting down all the elements that should be carried over when the world is reborn following its destruction, and rewriting all the elements that should be changed.
This book of prophecies, in addition to being a central part of the game's story, is also core to the gameplay. By changing the contents of the book, you can do such things as giving an invincible enemy a weak spot and healing a girl who's sick. We're not sure of the specifics of how this gameplay system will work, but the book is important enough that it's displayed constantly on the bottom screen.
As the genre suggests, there's more to Avalon Code than just manipulating a book with the stylus. The game combines action and RPG elements. Battles are fought in real time on the top screen using button-based commands. The title also promises a love simulation component, as you can select from a variety of potential partners depending on the gender of your chosen hero.
The high tech going into the game shouldn't come as a surprise considering its developer, Matrix. This studio previously worked on the DS remake of Final Fantasy IV. The game is being directed by two Matrix staffers, Keizo Kato and Takahiro Matsumoto.
Other big names at work on the game include character designer HACCAN (known for the Legend of Heroes series) and music from Minako Adachi (known for Summon Night).
Avalon Code will be released to Japan this Fall. An international release has yet to be announced."
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I'm in love with the artwork. The splash screen's piece on the official site is particularly lovely, as is this one:
