Friday, August 17, 2007

Arcana Heart - Preorder

Yuki Enterprises (Examu) released Arcana Heart in Japanese arcades towards the very end of 2006 and found a ready and willing audience amongst the gaming cognoscenti. Firstly, it's a capable fighting game with a bevy of moves, combos, aerial maneuvering, and move cancels out the wazoo. Secondly, the cast of characters is entirely female. Make that attractive females who can choose their elemental powers by way of ten tarot cards which depict a beast such as Bhanri or a deity-like lassie like Partinias.

The main character is a redhead named Aino Heart and she's joined by 11 other fighters such as the blue-haired Tsuzura Saki, Tokinomiya Kamui, Kasuga Maori, Mei-Fang, Konoha, Lilica Felchenerow, Liselotte Achenbach, Yasuzumi Yoriko, Fiona Mayfield, Mildred Avalone, and Daidohji Kira. When fighting, the bouts generally take place on the ground but aerial attacks can send the two girls way up into the air as the playfield lofts higher to take in the action. The girls seem to be designed for eventual transition to the merchandising realm of figures, toys, keychains, blankets, etc.

The controls consist of a joystick and four buttons, which will make a prefect port, control-wise, to the Playstation 2 on October 11. We'll check out how true the game hews to the arcade original once we get our grubby hands on it. Preorders are welcome today.

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