14 DAY TRIAL // Konami Digital Entertainment has announced it will release Ys: The Ark of Napishtim, an epic role-playing title for PSP in September.
Already a considerable success on PlayStation 2, Ys: The Ark of Napishtim enjoys an enviable reputation within the popular action-role-playing genre. The PC version is ranked as Japan's most popular role-playing series for the format, and has amassed incredible sales. The new PSP version is virtually identical to its PlayStation 2 predecessor and continues the adventures of series hero Adol Christian, but also includes all-new elements unique to the handheld format.
Set three years after the events of a previous quest, renowned adventurer Adol wakes in a small village of elf-life people who found him washed up on the beach of their island. Introducing themselves as the Rehda, the storyline fills in the blanks as it's revealed that Adol's ship was attacked, and rapidly introduces two local girls who have supernatural powers. It seems Adol's accident and the events that follow are closely linked and the adventurer finds himself entangled in a complex mission, to save the inhabitants of the islands from the plans of his attackers.
Ys: The Ark of Napishtim retains the top-down view of the series, yet enjoys a fantastic level of detail which brings the varied landscapes to vibrant life. The intricate backdrops are rendered in real time and fully animated, with the cast, huge 'boss adversaries' and enemies drawn in a mix of 3D and 2D styles. Exploring the sprawling game world is key to Ys: The Ark of Napishtim, and as the story unfolds, Adol must recruit colleagues to help him defeat the creatures he faces. Thankfully, Adol is a master swordsman, and Ys: The Ark of Napishtim tests him to the full as he cuts a swathe through the hordes of monsters. Adol's strength is enhanced by the use of three magical swords - each empowered from their respective element: wind, fire, and thunder.
PSP users also benefit from new sub-games, which come in the form of training missions used to hone Adol's skills for his main quest. Hosted by a character called Largo, Adol can gain entry to a series of mini-games designed to test his various abilities. Once completed, these sub-games can then be accessed from the main menu. Likewise, locating a specific item within the game and taking it to another character is used to unlock a 'Media Player' containing secret galleries and music. Similarly, another character - Raba - keeps detailed information on the strengths and weaknesses of everyone in the game.
With its mix of magic, action and exploration, it is easy to see why Ys has built such a strong fan base. Ys: The Ark of Napishtim highlights all that is good about the series, and uses the impressive capabilities of the PSP to add new polish and depth. Veteran role-playing fans will be tested by the bosses and missions they face, while the intuitive magic and weaponry interfaces also make the game ideal for newcomers to the genre.