Two weeks prior the release of the highly anticipated PlayStation 2 title Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norewareshi Himegimi, Square Enix has released some new information on the eight installment of its flagship series. Players will be able to travel on the back of a big cat, a boat and a bird. To decrease the amount of time needed for travelling across the wide fields of Dragon Quest VIII, players can ride on a big cat called killer panzer. To cross the oceans a boat will be available and for those who prefer the blue sky, there is a big bird. Whether this animal will be similar to its counterpart in Dragon Quest III remains to be seen, though.

While no figures regarding the current state of pre-orders have been announced, Hirokazu Hamamura, president of Famitsu publisher Enterbrain recently mentioned, that the game might as well become this generation's first four million seller in Japan.

Dragon Quest VIII: Sora to Umi to Daichi to Norewareshi Himegimi will be released in Japan on November 27th for 8,800 yen ($82.57 US). Los Angeles, California-based Square Enix has not announced a North American version so far.

• SB Games