New Square Enix RPG - Chaos Rings [Trailer video now available]

[GDSage]

EDIT: http://twitter.com/SquareEnixDLG/statuses/10654528352



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Screenshots
http://www.facebook.com/notes/square...h/379199831300

Official website
http://dlgames.square-enix.com/chaosrings/

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CHAOS RINGS (iPhone)
*Compatible with all iPhone and touch models


BACKGROUND
- Brand new Square Enix RPG
- Polygonal characters overlaid on hand drawn backgrounds, fully polygonal in battles
- Developed by Media.Vision (Wild ARMS, RIZ-ZOAWD)
- Producer is Takehiro Ando (producer of Crystal Defenders, Song Summoner series)
- Takehiro suffers from hay fever
- Story by Yukinori Kitajima - scenario writer of 428 (sound novel) and Okamiden (Okami 2)
- Character designs by Yusuke Naora (art director of FFVII, VIII, X)
- Music by Noriyasu Agematsu (composer for some songs in Wild ARMS 5)


PREMISE




- The story of Chaos Rings revolves around a tournament called "Arka Arena"
- Four teams of two enter into the tournament against their will
- Shadowy spokesman for the tournament promises eternal life and youth for the winner


CHARACTERS




- The game is made up of four scenarios (playthroughs) in all
- Each playthrough revolves around one of the four teams of two
- The pairs you are not in control of face against you as rivals
- To uncover the full story all four playthroughs must be completed


PROGRESSION




- The main progression is in the tournament "Arka Arena"
- Outside of this arena, special doors lead you to different world dungeons
- In each dungeon you discover treasure chests and combat enemies to gain experience
- At the heart of each dungeon lies a final boss


ADDITIONAL CONTENT





- As you progress in exp level, previously completed dungeons will accommodate your rise in level
- This is done by allowing the player to select how difficult previously completed dungeons can be
- The higher the difficulty chosen the more powerful enemies will be and better treasure you can discover


CONTROLS




- Controls are touch-based
- In navigating fields and dungeons an on-screen joystick is used
- In battles the menus, commands and targeting are used with a simple touch
- Controls are made to support both left and right-handed players


BATTLE SYSTEM




- Battles are turn-based
- You control both partners within the team
- Attacks and abilities divided between "solo" and "pair" commands
- Pair attacks execute special combo skills and greater damage, but opens up both partners to damage
- Strategic play is promised as HP is only replenished after a battle
- Fights can be against multiple enemies at once


ABILITY SYSTEM




- Once enemies are defeated, you can acquire their genetic information called "Genes"
- These Genes can then be equipped to grant skills
- Genes can evolve after use in battle becoming more powerful, and even produce new skills


OTHER

Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto replied on SE twitter on a matter of SE games, including Chaos Rings.
Member pimp1872010 asked if Chaos Rings would be an interesting game. Responded Hashimoto: "It's a true RPG. Please look forward to it."

It looks like Famitsu was given the chance to play Chaos Rings in advance.
"I was surprised at how smooth the 3D graphics were," Famitsu magazine wrote in a preview published in this week's issue. "I honestly didn't think that the iPhone was capable of such pretty 3D visuals. The controls are also innovative -- you can touch and drag your finger anywhere on the screen to move your characters around. It doesn't rely on using one hand over the other, so it's really easy to play."

"The strategic battle system is the most interesting part of the game," Famitsu wrote. "Your HP is refilled after each battle, but each individual fight is pretty intense. If you're short on HP, you have to agonize over whether to attack solo or in pairs. It's a lot of fun!"

The game looks like it will have a western release. Recently the title "Chaos Rings" was trademarked by SquareEnix for Europe: http://www.siliconera.com/2009/12/03...e-chaos-rings/

LINKS
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...ix_iphone_rpg/
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3178392

[aznriceboi13]

http://translate.google.com/translat...786163ab6.html

can't wait >.<

[squarezero]

Glad this project is moving forward. Can't wait for more info.

[GDSage]

Originally Posted by squarezero

Glad this project is moving forward. Can't wait for more info.

Yeah, I'd be more enthused but Monster Hunter Portable 3rd was just announced for PSP so all I can think about is that.

[squarezero]

Originally Posted by GDSage

Yeah, I'd be more enthused but Monster Hunter Portable 3rd was just announced for PSP so all I can think about is that.

Just saw that on Kotaku. Your enthusiasm for Freedom United got me to try the demo again. Still can't get past the controls or the wonky camera, unfortunately, though I do understand the appeal of the deep combat system. Guess I'll keep my eyes on the new one.

Some pretty heavy hitters involved in Chaos Ring. I hope it ends up being a serious effort.

[medianotzu]

Another upcoming RPG to look forward to!

[aznriceboi13]

too bad my psp joystick is broken >.<

we need more screens

[Eduku]

Nice, but I'm not gonna get too excited until an actual release date comes out. Square-Enix tends to announce games months before release (or in FFXIII's case, years).

[Somerandomdude]

Originally Posted by squarezero

Just saw that on Kotaku. Your enthusiasm for Freedom United got me to try the demo again. Still can't get past the controls or the wonky camera, unfortunately, though I do understand the appeal of the deep combat system. Guess I'll keep my eyes on the new one.

Some pretty heavy hitters involved in Chaos Ring. I hope it ends up being a serious effort.

Yeah, I agree on the Monster Hunter controls. I have the first 2 games, and it gets pretty awkward at times, but I've learned to live with them and make the best of them. I just hate the lack of right analog stick.

And Chaos Ring had better get full attention from these devs. It seems like many of the other RPG's I've seen don't seem to have recieved full attention (Final Fantasy I/II. They were great updates, but had already been done on the PSP and got ported with some weird controls and some inaccurate menus).

[Chronical]

Why are you all talking about PSP games?
@Topic: Hoping it to be 3D.