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RPG meets RTS in DS' Heroes of Mana

Time to level up the chain of command

RPG meets RTS in DS' Heroes of Mana
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DS
| Heroes of Mana

When it comes to national gaming stereotypes, we all know the Japanese typically do role-playing games, while Western developers do strategy games. Psychologists could write learned papers about why, but being journalists we'll just say it probably has something to do with Japan's rigid social structures and the colonial baggage of the Europeans and North Americans. At the end of the day, we all tend to do best what we know best.

So where does that place Heroes of Mana?

According to our demarcation of roles, this real-time strategy, role-playing hybrid should be being developed halfway between the US and Japan – maybe Hawaii? But, of course, it's not. Instead Tokyo-based Brownie Brown is doing the business.

As the title suggests, the game's set in the World of Mana, a place we last visited in the thoroughly enjoyable dungeon-battler Children of Mana.

This time, however, you've moved up the chain of command, so now you're ordering around groups of heroes, warriors, bizarre creatures with trumpets for noses, and the Mana's series special icon, those ferocious little yellow rabites.

Viewed from a top-down position, control over your troops will be maintained with your stylus. It will be interesting to see how tightly you can move them around though, as it appears there will be up to 20 units onscreen at any time. There's a neat icon system enabling you to quickly select any unit, which hopefully should maintain some order in the ranks.

Another feature will be the game's limited use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Sadly, no multiplayer gaming is supported, but you will be able to upload scores, as well as download new missions and maps.

Heroes of Mana currently doesn't have a UK release date, but we reckon it should be out sometime this winter. Click 'Track It!' to obsess like a true Japanese fan.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.