It's official, RTS and RPG fans, cdv Software Entertainment USA and Sirius Games have gone public, announcing that Escape from Paradise City has just gone gold. The game features an interesting combination of RTS and RPG elements, being planned for a North American release on October 24th. A few details on the upcoming title can be found within the lines below.

First of all, gamers should know that there will be three distinct characters to choose from: an "ex-con" (convict), a "streetwise hand-to-hand expert" and a "corrupt FBI agent." Lethal combination! Anyway, according to game's official description, the three find themselves forced to help the government infiltrate the criminal underworld of the most corrupt city in America. As you can imagine, each of the three possesses special skills and abilities and while gamers can choose whichever they like at the beginning of the game, they will be able to earn experience and upgrades in equal quantity, by taking out the competition.

The player is required to infiltrate the gangs of Paradise City on behalf of a powerful government agency that, despite its influence, has been unable to introduce even a glimmer of law and order to this horribly corrupt city. In an intertwining chapter-driven story, the player takes turns controlling one of three gritty characters that, for their own reasons, have "volunteered" to get to the bottom of the mystery behind the controlling crime syndicate's power.

It has also been confirmed that towards the end of the game, players will again be able choose one character for a final showdown with the city's mysterious crime lord, who's going to be one tough bloke to beat. Hey, that's pretty cool actually - few games allow the player to choose a different character for the final fight.

Personally, the only game I've ever played that allows you to choose another character before the final showdown is Mortal Kombat II. Given that players unlock the "question mark" secret (fighting against Jade in Goro's lair), players are allowed to choose their character once again, right before facing Shang Tsung. Then follow Kintaro and the big boss, Shao Kahn, which players have gone up against with the same character they've chosen right after the secret (before facing Shang Tsung). Players can also choose to play with same character as before.

Of course, Escape from Paradise City and Mortal Kombat II are two totally different games, but I just thought that the second character selection option is quite exciting. Here's cdv Software Entertainment's official website for more on this great title (a successful RTS-RPg combination) that has just gone gold.

HERE's the game's official trailer, so you can make a better picture of the details mentioned above.