E3 2005: Level Up
Atlus Brings Magna Carta to the US
Company: 1041
Date: 05/23/2005
Avaliable On:

Over the past few years, Atlus has steadily been pumping out a healthy supply of great RPGs. In addition to the second act of Digital Devil Saga, which will continue the story from the game earlier this year, Atlus will also bring over the much anticipated Magna Carta: Tears of Blood, from Korean developer Softmax.

Despite it's name, Magna Carta has nothing to do with the famous British document, so all notions of a historical RPG where you put down the power of King John and bring the rule of law to England can go right out the window. Magna Carta takes place in the war torn land of Efferia. The story involves a man named Calintz, who is part of a mercenary group known as the "Tears of Blood". Calintz is out for revenge on one of Efferia's native races, the Efferians, who are at war with the humans. During his revenge-fueled quest, he'll come across an amnesiac named Reith. This meeting, of course, alters Calintz's plans.

Magna Carta will use a real-time combat system called the Carta system. The game will also use what is known as the "Trinity Circle" during combat, which requires matching button presses to icons on a ring. This system introduces a nice mix of strategy and reflexes to a genre that has long been associated with static menus.

Atlus has already proven that it knows a good RPG when it sees one, so the fact that they're bringing it over should be a good indication on the game's quality. Fans of quality RPGs should have something to get excited about when Magna Carta ships later this year.

Starscream aka Ricky Tucker

GameVortex PSIllustrated TeamPS2