Crimson Sea 2 ships

Koei announced today that it has shipped Crimson Sea 2, its self-developed third-person actioner, to North American stores. The game is rated "T" for Teen and retails for $49.99.

Ironically, the PlayStation 2-only Crimson Sea 2 is the sequel to Crimson Sea, a 2002 Xbox exclusive. Both games combine role-playing elements with sci-fi action and center on the travails of a nattily-dressed hero, Sho. Skilled in both high-tech weapons and near-magic psychic abilities, Sho is charged with fighting the mutons, a horde of insectlike monsters who are overrunning interstellar human civilization. Aiding him in his quest is Feanay, a scantily-clad heroine with similar abilities.

Gamers will be able to play as both Sho and Feanay throughout the game's 60-odd missions. Crimson Sea 2 also features a co-op mode and competition-multiplayer modes, as well as a tried-and-true versus mode. For more on the game, check out Greg Kasavin's preview.