Square Enix has announced Samurai Legend Musashi. As the title suggests, this PlayStation 2 game will be the sequel to the PlayStation One action-RPG Brave Fencer Musashi. Instead of Musashi's medieval flair in the prequel, Samurai Legend Musashi features an entirely redesigned, more modern-looking hero in large comic-style environments. According to producer Takashi Tokita, the visuals will differ from traditional toon-shading. The game's character designer will be Tetsuya Nomura, who already worked on the first game. Youichi Yoshimoto will serve as its director. Also of note, the opening movie will be handled by Neon Genesis Evangelion creators Gainax, while the opening theme will be performed by Japanese band The Surf Coasters.

Players will be able to carry non-playable characters around, by employing a system referred to by Square Enix as the 'Princess Hug System'. The protagonist will also be able to learn enemy attacks and later use them in battle.

Samurai Legend Musashi will be available in the US sometime in late 2004. A Japanese release has yet to be announced.

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