Retail Radar: Exit reenters

Japanese Web site Rakuten has begun presales of Kangaeru Exit, the sequel to Taito's popular action/puzzle game, known simply as Exit in the US.

According to Rakuten, Mr. ESC will be back for another round of saving hapless victims from horrible deaths, this time with improved control and deeper strategy. The basic game will feature 110 stages at launch, but those who played the original Exit can use saved data from that game to add another 20 stages to the sequel and access characters from the original game.

Furthermore, Taito is working with one or more game-design colleges to provide additional content. As a result, roughly 300 add-on stages will eventually be available via download.

The game will feature two new characters and a number of new settings, such as the inside of a pyramid, a sinking cruise liner, and a ninja-filled mansion. Kangaeru Exit is scheduled for release in Japan September 7, and is priced at 5,040 yen (about $43.40).