New role-playing game for the DS: Spectrobes

If you ask me, this apparent attempt to hop onto the Pokemon bandwagon comes a little bit late, but maybe we’ll all be surprised by Spectrobes, the new video game franchise just announced by Buena Vista Interactive.

Encouraged by the success of Kingdom Hearts, the publisher wants to expand it’s range of titles with another anime-inspired RPG. Responsible for handling the game’s development is Kyoto-based Jupiter Corporation. The Kyoto-based studio previously created the highly successful Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories for the Gameboy Advance, and as such, is the perfect choice for Spectrobes.

The game’s story begins with two “Interplanetary Patrol Officers” named Rallen and Jeena, who receive the mission to catch the prehistoric Spectrobes, little creatures possessing special powers. Only they are capable of defeating an evil and dangerous force called the Krawl which strives for the destruction of the galaxy.

Players will collect over 500 unique Spectrobes. Once found, they must be “excavated” first using the touch screen of the DS. Then, they can be trained in real-time battles, with their powers being highly customizable – so every creature will evolve individually and according to the player’s style of play.

Buena Vista is promising “original characters, a compelling story and breakthrough gameplay” – and, should the game be successful, forays into TV and merchandising territory are to be expected.

A release date for Spectrobes has yet to be announced.

If you ask me, this apparent attempt to hop onto the Pokemon bandwagon comes a little bit late, but maybe we’ll all be surprised by Spectrobes, the new video game franchise just announced by Buena Vista Interactive.

Encouraged by the success of Kingdom Hearts, the publisher wants to expand it’s range of titles with another anime-inspired RPG. Responsible for handling the game’s development is Kyoto-based Jupiter Corporation. The Kyoto-based studio previously created the highly successful Kingdom Hearts: Chain Of Memories for the Gameboy Advance, and as such, is the perfect choice for Spectrobes.

The game’s story begins with two “Interplanetary Patrol Officers” named Rallen and Jeena, who receive the mission to catch the prehistoric Spectrobes, little creatures possessing special powers. Only they are capable of defeating an evil and dangerous force called the Krawl which strives for the destruction of the galaxy.

Players will collect over 500 unique Spectrobes. Once found, they must be “excavated” first using the touch screen of the DS. Then, they can be trained in real-time battles, with their powers being highly customizable – so every creature will evolve individually and according to the player’s style of play.

Buena Vista is promising “original characters, a compelling story and breakthrough gameplay” – and, should the game be successful, forays into TV and merchandising territory are to be expected.

A release date for Spectrobes has yet to be announced.