Softbank BB has announced a PC-based action RPG titled Rinne. The game is being developed by the makers of Ys and Eiyuu Densetsu (Legend of Heroes), Nihon Falcom. Rinne will be presented in 2D and let players watch the action from a quarter view perspective. It is designed to run smoothly on PCs with comparatively low specs (Pentium III 400 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 2 GB of free harddisc space and a graphics card with at least 4 MB of video RAM). Furthermore, it will be possible to control the game by only using the mouse.

Rinne takes place on a planet where a Heaven and a Hell race used to co-exist. The former relied on advanced machinery, while the latter was trying to create the ultimate physical body. At the end of a war which almost wiped out both races, the humans who have landed on the planet begin to search for the secrets of the two races. At the same time they start up a massive computer which creates a virtual world. In order to explore this virtual reality, man creates a creature carrying the DNA of the Hell race. It possesses the ability to gain control over other living beings.

Players will assume control over this creature. Its two key abilities are called Body Snatch, which allows the player to learn an enemy's skills after taking over his body and Transform. As the name suggests, Transform will allow the protagonist to assume the looks of an enemy he has previously encountered.

Sometimes it will be necessary for the player to transform into a certain character to advance in the game. For instance, when meeting a NPC yielding from a certain race, he or she might only be willing to give hints to a person of the same race. Depending on the player's actions during the course of the game, he will get to see one of multiple ending sequences.

Rinne will be released on June 30th, the same day as Nihon Falcom's Ys: Felghana no Chikai in Japan. As a special service to Nihon Falcom fans, Softbank BB will offer a bundle containing both games.

• GameWatch