First look: Stake

Metro3D has released the first gameplay information on Stake, a third-person free-roaming beat-'em-up being developed by Taiwan-based Gameness Art Software. The game, which sounds a little reminiscent of Capcom's Power Stone series, will allow up to four players to do battle simultaneously in large arenas containing interactive objects. Unlike the in Power Stone games, multiplayer matches will be played on a split screen, but the fact that interactive items such as grenades, ice, flaming statues, and rocks can be used in addition to fists and feet will definitely sound a little familiar to fans of Capcom's classic Dreamcast fighter.

Stake will boast nine different characters in all, each with his or her own unique set of moves and magical abilities. Fighters will also have an "anger" level, the details of which have yet to be confirmed, but which will most likely build up as characters get hit during a fight and then allow them to power up in some way.

The game will feature three different multiplayer modes in all, including deathmatch, team deathmatch, and an intriguing castle mode in which players must race to light sacred fires on their opponents' castle. Stake is currently scheduled for release in North America in early January 2003 and in Europe sometime in March. We'll bring you more information on the game as it becomes available.