The Xbox Arx Fatalis world spans 20 sprawling levels with real cities, underground lakes, natural caves, lava openings, lost civilizations, secret temples, crypts, city sewers, Goblin encampments and Dwarf forgeries. All of the levels exist in the realm of medieval fantasy, where the sun has slowly retreated, leaving a world of evil and darkness inhabited goblins, trolls and rat men.

Featuring a proprietary game engine and using all the latest 3D technology that harnesses the power of Xbox, Arx Fatalis offers players top-end interactivity with in-game objects and non-player characters through advanced world simulation, actively encouraging players to try out mechanisms, craft items by combining objects and explore all-new environments. Coupled with real-time physics for clothing and hair and real fight tactics for non-player characters, this makes both the Arx Fatalis world and characters very realistic indeed.

For those with a magical bent, a unique real-time, on-screen spell-casting system allows players to draw signs and cast over 50 spells with a pad, speeding up reaction time in an otherwise lengthy magical process.

The Arx Fatalis storyline is totally non-linear, allowing players to roam freely, wherever and whenever they like. Game progression can be achieved with or without the help of non-player characters and player attributes are honed when completing levels, solving quests and, of course, killing monsters.

With a wealth of blood-curdling features, Arx Fatalis looks set to become a sure fire hit with the fans of both first person and RPG gameplay when it hits Xbox in November.

Arx Fatalis will be published for Xbox by DreamCatcher Games and distributed by Mindscape in November 2003, price tbc.

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