Nippon Ichi has announced its fourth strategy RPG for the PlayStation 2 in various Japanese magazines today. Titled Phantom Kingdom, the newest game will follow the company's successful formula of mixing strategy battles, with comic-style visuals and a good dose of humor. The game will place in you in control of the demon king Xeta, who is depending on an omnipotent scripture. Now he is aiming to return to his original form and in order to rule a new demon world, challenge the king of another demon world. System-wise, the action during the turn-based battles will change depending on what weapons your party has equipped. Powerful special skills have also been confirmed to be included in the battle system. The demon world's terrain will be generated at random. So far, four different character classes have been introduced: warrior, wizard, swordmaster and prinny. Some characters will join Xeta's party already at the beginning of the game, while others will only join in once certain conditions have been met.

Phantom Kingdom will be released in Japan sometime next year.

• Famitsu