Major Character Designers Team Up for New 3DS RPG

Furyu entered the home publishing business a couple of years ago and has thus far released just a handful of DS titles.

This week's Famitsu has a first look at UnchainBlades ReXX, an all new fantasy RPG for 3DS and PSP from little known publisher Furyu.

UnchainBlades ReXX is set in a world populated exclusively by monsters. In their youth, these monsters have human form, but they eventually spring wings and attain their true power.

Main character Fang, young king of the Dragon race, was the most powerful monster in the world. However, his power angered the Goddess Kryunia, who transformed him into a human thus sealing his powers away.

Fang's allies are all young creatures, and thus have human form like him. Famitsu introduces the likes of Hector, prince of the Golems; Niko, a member of the nine tail race who, as their name suggests, have nine tails; Lapis, who like medusa transforms those who look upon her into stone; Tiana, princess of the phoenixes; and Silvy, of the "death eyes" race.

The cast of characters is being designed by at least fourteen illustrators, including pako (Shining Force), Haruyuki Morisawa (Dream Club), Toshiyuki Kubooka (Idolmaster), Kazushi Hagiwara, Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, Kumichi Yoshizuki, Nami Hidaka, Suu Minazuki, and Sunaho Tobe. Furyu has also assembled an all star voice cast.

On the development front, the game's scenario is being headed up by Takashi Hino, with Nobuo Uematsu working on the theme song. Lunar's Toshio Akashi is also working on the game in some capacity.

Perhaps owing to the staff list, Famitsu's first look at the game consists mostly of character details. But there is a bit of gameplay information in there as well.

UnchainBlades ReXX is described as the "ultimate 3D dungeon RPG," although the official genre is listed as the slightly Tales-ish "An RPG That Lets You Know True Power." Players lead Fang through "Titan," a living dungeon that looks a bit like a giant from Shadow of the Colossus. As you make your way to the bottom of the dungeon, you'll encounter various gimmicks and monsters. At the bottom, the goddess's test for returning your true power awaits.

The game makes use of a turn-based command battle system. Via the "Unchain System," it's possible to have up to 20 characters taking part in battle simultaneously. You have four main party members in battle at any given time. Each of these members can acquire five monsters who will become their "Followers" and will participate in the battle and take part in special link attacks.

Famitsu doesn't provide clear details on how the 3DS and PSP versions of UnchainBlades ReXX will differ, only saying that the 3DS version's dungeons will be shown in 3D.

Both versions are scheduled for simultaneous release on June 23. As a pre-order bonus, Furyu will be including a premium DVD with character voices, artwork, an original voice drama and a promotional video.

Development on UnchainBlades ReXX is currently at 65%, Famitsu reports.