Square Enix is hardly any stranger to the iPhone -- both Final
Fantasy (above) and its sequel are available at the App Store right
now for $8.99. With the just-announced Chaos Rings, though, the
company is trying something different: a brand-new, full-on, serious RPG
for the portable platform.
Developed by a staff that includes veteran FF art designer Yusuke Naora,
Chaos Rings is set around a battle tournament, Arca Areina, where five
two-person teams must fight each other to the death. You control each
team in their own separate storyline, all of which tie together at the
end. None of the people involved know why they're here or what they're
fighting for -- all they know is that a shadowy "spokesman" has summoned
them, and that if they win, their prize will be eternal life.
"I was surprised at how smooth the 3D graphics were," Famitsu magazine wrote in a preview published in this week's issue. "I honestly
didn't think that the iPhone was capable of such pretty 3D visuals. The
controls are also innovative -- you can touch and drag your finger
anywhere on the screen to move your characters around. It doesn't rely
on using one hand over the other, so it's really easy to play."
The game's team-based premise is reflected in the battle system, which
divides your attacks between "solo" and "pair" moves. Attacking as a
pair unlocks special combo skills and lets you potentially punish the
enemy harder, but also puts both team members at risk of taking damage.
"The strategic battle system is the most interesting part of the game," Famitsu wrote. "Your HP is refilled after each battle, but each individual
fight is pretty intense. If you're short on HP, you have to agonize over
whether to attack solo or in pairs. It's a lot of fun!"
Square Enix hasn't announced a release date for Chaos Rings.
Oringally published on 1UP.com.
