Flight-Plan has announced some new details regarding its original PlayStation 2 strategy RPG Dragon Shadow Spell (DSS). The game is the first title that the developers of Summon Night and Black/Matrix will publish on their own. In the game's world, magicians known as Valiants are seeking an ancient power known as Matrix. The game's protagonist, Kite, is a Valiant apprentice. As the young man investigates a newly discovered ancient ruin in Tokyo's Shinjuku district, he comes under attack from strange monsters. The only way to effectively fight these creatures is by wielding a weapon known as Matrix Gear. After obtaining such a Matrix Gear, Kite attacks his foes; then, something strange appears before him.

Unlike most other strategy RPGs made in Japan, Dragon Shadow Spell's battle system is not turn-based. Deathblows and other special attacks however will as always be accompanied by cut-ins and flashy effects. The game's development is currently 65% complete.

Dragon Shadow Spell will be available in Japan sometime in January 2007.

• Famitsuu