Media | Baten Kaitos

The studio developing the title is well known for the epic XenoSaga series and in a similar vein, the story of Baten Kaitos will be set in a world of several floating continents each with different races having a selection of skills, features and magic. According to members of the development team, the game shall utilise a card-based battle system, similar to Sega's Phantasy Star Online III, that incorporates a range of physical and magical moves/skills, but also combine cards to perform special attacks, unique to each character.

Not much information has been released regarding the actual game, but the company has detailed plot details and races. There have been 4 major locations confirmed by the team - Cebelrai, Sadal Suud, Pherkad and Diadem.

The game opens on the remote farming village of Cebelrai on a floating continent known as Sadal Sudd. The lead character, Kalas, has no memory of his past life, who he is, and awakes confused and in trouble. Close friend Xelha is being hunted by soldiers for an unknown reason, the air of mystery and suspense hangs over a character without any true definition. In the game, certain people have a sacred ability to house a spirit within them, and the soul of the certain spirits can co-exists within a character and enables them to provide one another with different skills. Because the lead character's mind is gone, he's only left with his spirit to aid him throughout the adventure.

Namco is currently keeping the main game's specifics under wraps, gradually releasing small selective information as the Japanese release draws nearer.

More information regarding Namco's epic title shall be released toward the launch later this year. However, Cubed3 has obtained a selection of spectacular screenshots revealing, in greater depth, the intimate areas and locations players can visit during their quest.