The newest entry in Square Enix's Action RPG series was first announced last week.
First announced for an unnamed platform in last week's issue of Famitsu, Square Enix has released details on the newest entry of Taito's Lufia series. (Square Enix acquired Taito in 2005.) Confirmed as a DS title, Estpolis: The Land Cursed by the Gods (Estpolis is the Japanese title of the franchise known as Lufia in North America), is scheduled for a February 25 Japanese release at a price of 5,980¥.
The Land Cursed by the Gods stars the monster hunter Maxim. The story covers the quest he embarks on with his friends to unravel the mystery of the Wave Device. The device is capable of granting its user god-like power.
Maxim was also the star of Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals. The story of the SNES classic focuses on Maxim's quest to confront a race of magical demigods, the Sinistrals. Square Enix calls the DS title a "rebirth" of the 1996 title. It is unclear how the two titles' stories are related beyond the shared cast.
Appropriately for a "rebirth," Neverland Company, the original creators of the series, are developing the new title. Among those listed as involved with the new project are many of the developers of the SNES classic Lufia & The Fortress of Doom and the prequel Lufia II.
There are significant gameplay differences between this game and previous entries in the series. The game will feature the same style of puzzle-heavy dungeons as Lufia II. Unlike Lufia II, the new title has a more action-oriented battle system. The player will control Maxim directly, and switch between characters by tapping their portraits.
No release information is currently available for North America or Europe.