Atlus USA continues to keep the game announcement train rolling, announcing in a press release and an email sent to its Atlus Faithful mailing list today that the publisher has obtained the North American rights to publish Sting Entertainment's DS title Knights in the Nightmare.

The fourth game (but third title) in Sting's Dept. Heaven series, Knights in the Nightmare provides a unique gameplay experience: it's one part strategy RPG, one part real time strategy, and one part shoot-em-up with the player-controlled wisp being under constant enemy fire. The story can be told from one of two viewpoints, both centering on the ancient castle of Aventheim. It is the player-controlled wisp to reawaken the souls of the fallen knights and take back the kingdom from the evil of the netherworld. The game combines hectic gameplay with lots of strategy to provide its own gameplay experience.

Knights in the Nightmare will release on June 2nd, with a MSRP of $34.99.

Those of you playing "Announcement BINGO" at home, please cover up the square for Knights in the Nightmare, because it's coming to North America. What kind of game is it, exactly? Glad you asked!

Simply put, Knights in the Nightmare is a gaming experience unlike anything else. And we're not just saying that. You are a magical wisp with the power to guide spirits of dead knights, helping to free their trapped souls by cleansing a tainted castle. Your movements on the touch screen precisely control the wisp on the top screen, allowing for immediate, accurate gameplay. Special attacks, dodging projectiles, and collecting items couldn't be any faster or easier. There is a learning curve, a steep one, but the incredibly comprehensive and at times interactive tutorial has you covered. Manage and equip items, level the knights you command, and pay heed to what you're up against in each battle, as a little forethought can often make all the difference.

Then there are the game's visual and aural components. This is one of the most stylish, beautifully-conceived games for Nintendo DS. The score matches the game's themes perfectly; somber at times, intense and charged with energy at others. Knights in the Nightmare also pays close attention to the little things, conveniences intended to make life easier for the gamer. And because finishing the game once unlocks the ability to play through again from a different perspective -- through the eyes of the antagonist -- you'll certainly want to play through again.

Knights in the Nightmare is scheduled for release on June 2nd with an MSRP of $34.99. We'll share much more about this one in the near future... stay tuned!

Akira_EX via atlus.com »