TGS 2005: Monster Rancher 5 detailed and dated

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TOKYO--One of the most anticipated titles at the Tokyo Game Show 2005 was the latest in the Monster Farm PlayStation 2 series, called Monster Rancher in North America. Monster Farm 5: Circus Caravan is primarily a role-playing game--a first for the franchise--albeit with the series' unique system of using discs to create new monsters. Unfortunately, Tecmo didn't have a playable demo at TGS, only a short trailer. Still, the publisher did dole out plenty of information, including the game's release date and promotional plans.

As previously reported, Monster Farm 5 is about a young boy that travels around the world with the circus. The player takes the role of Julio, a young monster caretaker who aspires to one day become an ace monster breeder. Accompanying Julio on his journey is Nayuta, a shaman girl who can use mystical items to create monsters out of "circular stones"--that is, the everyday CDs or DVDs players insert into the PS2 to create random monsters. The circus's owner is a clown named Albert, whose love of performing drives him to continue touring, even though his operation doesn't make much money. Other circus members include a sexy dancer named Marlene, a gentle giant named Gaufre, and a young child with animal ears named Tico.

Monster Farm 5 features 3D cel-shaded graphics, which were up to the standards of most current PS2 role-playing games. Being an RPG, the game will likely focus heavily on storyline, but that doesn't mean Tecmo hasn't forgotten the series' signature monster-growth element. Monster Farm 5 takes advantage of its circus setting, having players raise their monsters by making them perform during "showtime"--that is, in front of an audience. In terms of fighting, the game features a new, three-on-three battle system where two teams of monsters will brawl with each other.

One of the highlights of the Monster Farm series has been cameo appearances of characters from other popular games. Monster Farm 4 featured Sony's Madcap Monkey from the Ape Escape series, and Monster Farm Pop for mobile phones featured Kasumi from Tecmo's own Dead or Alive series. In Monster Farm 5, Tecmo has once again collaborated with Sony Computer Entertainment, and SCE's cat mascot Toro will be featured in the game.

Tecmo has announced Monster Farm 5's release date in Japan as December 8. The company will release a special promotional anime in early November that can be checked out at retail stores and on Tecmo's Japanese Web site. As a bonus for preorders, Tecmo will be giving out a full version of the anime on DVD, which can be used to unlock a special monster in the game.