Light Shed on Lunar Knights

Konami Entertainment today revealed brand-new gameplay details for their upcoming action RPG, Lunar Knights for the Nintendo DS.
In development by Kojima Productions, Lunar Knights is an epic vampire hunting RPG featuring a night and day mechanic that lets player’s hunt down the armies of the undead around the clock using two playable characters.

Set in a bleak future, the game mixes Gothic and sci-fi elements to tell the story of a world overtaken by bloodthirsty vampires. You will play as two heroes, Lucian and Aaron, who must work together using their unique and special abilities.

Unique to the game is the “parasol” system, which utilizes the top screen to show day passing into night. The mechanic brings innovative internal time to the table, while generating real-time weather effects. These effects will grant additional powers to each character. The changing conditions will have a direct impact on the game’s action, with Lucian being more powerful at night and Aaron stronger in the day.

As the pair explores, elemental guardians called Terrennials will help them find their way through the environment and also offer assistance in battle. Summoned via the touch screen and DS microphone, players can use the unique power of their Terrennial new attacks that create elemental damage to their enemies.

Lunar Knights is heavily element-based, made up of Sol, Dark, Flame, Ice, Wind and Earth. The enemies met along the way will share these attributes as well, while a pair of the Terrennials can embody these elements and transform the heroes into more advanced forms. This transformation is done via a “TRC Meter” which is filled with every monster the pair kills. When the bar is full, the TRC button can be pressed to transform the chosen hero into their Dark Lucian or Aol Aaron alter-egos.

The game also features intense 3D space shooting, in which players will use the touch screen to guide their ship and unleash a powerful arsenal on their enemies. The stages become more difficult as the game progresses, requiring quick reactions from the player. Terrennials can be used on the Casket Rocket, giving the ship new abilities and attacks in order to win the star wars (bad pun intended).

Lunar Knights will come complete with a unique multiplayer mode, which lets up to four players compete with a single cartridge. Each character will be able to engage in combat with others, creating a fast-paced battle.

Lunar Knights will launch for the DS this winter. Stay tuned to AMN for upcoming info.