Kimino Yusha

Kimino Yusha (キミの勇者) is an action-adventure RPG developed by SNK for the Nintendo DS. It is scheduled to be released in Japan on October 23, 2008. It is advertised as a visual novel experience that can be enjoyed by everyone of all ages. Kimino Yusha was unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, but very few websites reported of the game's unveiling; they only posted screenshots and videos seemingly out of the blue.

The game is designed for people who don't have a lot of time to play RPGs and is said to promise large-scale adventures that can be played in 30 minutes, whether the entire game is only 30 minutes long or each quest in the game is 30 minutes long has not yet been disclosed. A playable demo will be available at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show.

Gameplay
Like a novel, the story is divided into chapters, each with different quests, dungeons, and items available. Each chapter begins with an automated prologue sequence, which introduces the setting for the player. After the prologue is over, the game allows players the freedom to choose how to progress through the chapter. Rendered CG art is used for the game's cinematics. Once a quest or a chapter has been finished, extra experience will be granted to the party if their client says "Thank you". Different scenarios can occur based on the hero's choices, which gives the game multiple endings. There are 25 chapters for the main story and 50 side stories for players to explore.

Travel on the world map occurs in a 2D third-person perspective. The overworld map is a scaled-down version of the game's fictional world, which the player uses to direct characters to various towns or dungeons. A mini map is displayed on the game's dual screen while action and movement is displayed on the touch screen. Locations can be marked through a map index which makes destinations easier to reach.

Combat utilizes both screens and is presented in a 2D profile view. Using both screens, the whole party can combine their attacks for a devastating finisher. The finisher is performed by the last attacking party member, leading to several different combinations, based on a particular character class. Characters can be added into the player's guild in towns or during story events. Players can have up to 10 characters in one party and up to four characters for battles.

The game also has an extra side-story with the guild leader associated with the hero. Through these chapters, players can learn knowledge about the cast that otherwise isn't revealed during the main story. A bonus chapter is also included once the player has cleared a game.

Protagonists

 * Wanda - a human with the "hero" class who fights with the holy sword, "Seiken". He keeps a journal log of his adventures with Tio.
 * Tio - a sorceress who travels with Wanda; member of an esteemed family of wizards.

Recruits

 * Tango - a male dual wielding gunner in training who travels with the hero. Cold-blooded and serious, but stubborn about what he wants.
 * Gray - a mysterious and soft-spoken swordsman who travels to perfect his art. He runs into Wanda from time to time.
 * Aroma - martial artists extraordinaire and a treasure hunter.
 * Silk - princess of the other world. Attacks with water magic and a sickle-like weapon.
 * Dranco - a blue and white dwarf. Unlike stereotypical images of the fantasy race, he physically resembles a giant cat.
 * Fije - a human mage protected by wind and water. Considered to be a genius.
 * Lunate - an elven archer. She says she's looking for a way to seal the magical forces she feels, but she is a bit of a procrastinator who over thinks things.