Ark of Napishtim sets sail for retail

Since 1987, Konami's Ys series has entranced Japan, where it has sold millions of copies and is currently the most popular role-playing game for PCs.

Today, American gamers will get their first chance to experience the popular franchise in 13 years, with the US release of Ys: The Ark of Napishtim. Rated T for Teen by the ESRB, the game is priced at an MSRP of $39.99 and is currently available solely for the PlayStation 2. PSP and PC versions of the game are due later in the year.

The Ark of Napishtim begins after a massive storm, when a group of survivors are washed onto the shores of a cluster of remote islands. One of the castaways is recurring Ys hero Adol Christin, who wastes little time before battling the isles' indigenous monsters and unfriendly natives. Soon, however, he finds himself on a more noble quest--to recover a series of magical swords and join an isolated human colony.

The game's tropical, anime-influenced setting is brought to life via a new graphics engine designed specifically for Ys: The Ark of Napishtim. Besides the game's basic role-playing elements, gameplay primarily consists of hack-and-slash action. All the combat is in real time and will feature combo moves as well as supernatural powers, courtesy of the magic swords Adol employs.

GameSpot's previous coverage has more information on Ys: The Ark of Napishtim. Check back later today for Bethany Massimilla's full review of the game.