Ultimate Blade of Darkness will be exclusive to the Xbox

Codemasters has announced that it will release the next installment of its Blade of Darkness franchise exclusively for the Xbox. Under development by Rebel Act Studios, this hack-and-slash game is set in a fantasy world where dwarfs and knights rule the day. In addition to using melee weapons such as broadswords, spears, battle-axes, and arrows, players will be able to use the severed limbs of enemies as weapons. The protagonists from the original Blade of Darkness for the PC, including Tukaram, Sargon, Naflfar, and Zoe, will return for the Xbox game. Up to four players may play at once, and each selectable character will have his or her own specific level. The RPG-influenced gameplay will allow players to upgrade their characters' experience, skills, tools, and weapons.

"Ultimate Blade of Darkness will be a blizzard of frenetic combat, haunting atmospherics, intriguing puzzles, and incredible lighting effect technology," said Jonathan Smith, Codemasters' internal producer for the game. "With its origins in Blade of Darkness, the leap to the Xbox was a natural evolution."

Codemasters claims that the game will be one of the bloodiest Xbox games thus far and promises to promote it accordingly. Ultimate Blade of Darkness for the Xbox is currently scheduled for release in winter 2002.