Just as Japanese RPGs have yet to enjoy the same level of success on PCs as they do on consoles, so have non-Japanese RPGs in a well-documented struggle in making the cut with console gamers. Stormfront Studios' upcoming Legend of Alon D'ar hopes to be one of the few non-Japanese developed titles that has a shot in breaking Japan's Disney-like monopoly on console RPGs. Legend of Alon D'ar, produced by Mattel Interactive, lets you and up to three other friends journey across a living medieval world, slaying fiendish monsters, interacting with helpless townsfolk, and generally living the life of the role-playing stereotype.

Legend of Alon D'ar's storyline is completely original, and it has no basis in any sort of preexisting fantasy universe. The plot is the work of professional writer Christy Marx, who has written for both television and comics. While Mattel is keeping much of the story details under wraps, it has revealed that the game takes place in your typical world filled with fantastical beasts and magic users. You will be given a choice to play as one of four different characters who has set out on an epic adventure in a vast gameworld. While that sounds like nothing new, plot development is handled in a unique manner. The narrative is told through a series of "critical path quests," which direct the progression of the storyline. While the beginning and ending of Legend of Alon D'ar are predetermined, Mattel promises that there are tons of planned side quests and digression, which make the game feel less linear than it really is.

Stormfront Studios intends to shake up some other old console RPGs rules as well. Gone are the typical stereotypes of brawny but magicless swordsmen, as well as puny but magically powerful magicians. In Legend of Alon D'ar, you can wield your sword and spellbook simultaneously and develop your character from four different base characters at your discretion. Also new is the addition of multiplayer parties. While most console RPGs are solo experiences (Secret of Mana for the SNES and Armada on the DC being notable exceptions), Legend of Alon D'ar allows for the PS2's multitap peripheral for four-player sword and sorcery hijinks. If real players aren't present, the game features advanced party AI to control your other character; however, you'll have the option to tinker with the party's behavior yourself to get optimum control.

Battles are handled in a unique manner in Legend of Alon D'ar. Like Chrono Trigger, there are no random enemy encounters; instead, you'll see enemies sneak up on you in scripted events or initiate combat when you're too close to them. The transition between battle and normal exploration is handled smoothly, without noticeable load time or a scene fade out. Your characters simply draw their weapons, and combat begins. Mattel describes the engine as something altogether unique to the role-playing genre. While combat is conducted in real time, you'll issue commands to your character (and your party if you play without friends). Stormfront's planned battle system is surprisingly complex; a basic swordsman has literally dozens of variations on a single sword stroke, and each one delivers a slightly different type of attack. Even though you might be overwhelmed by your options, combat should be an exciting affair, because in addition to fighting your enemy, you must battle the clock to plan a strategy and get your orders out before the bad guys are on top of your party. Legend of Alon D'ar doesn't give you time to scrounge through your inventory or read arcane spell explanations in the middle of a fight; the longer you're idle with the control pad, the more vulnerable your party becomes. This may not sound difficult when your team is small and your enemies are weak, but battles have the potential to become exceedingly complicated when a large party is confronted with up to a dozen aggressors in a single battle.