Ten years ago, chaos almost took over the world of Mana. Legend says, however, that a boy and a girl saved the world using a legendary sword. Now the land is threatened with danger from a most unlikely source, and the “Children of Mana” must rise to defeat evil before it consumes the very heart of their world.

Players must select one of four different characters, Ferrik, Tamber, Poppen or Wanderer, who each have different strengths and weaknesses. Once a character is chosen, players equip them with weapons and magical gems to help them traverse treacherous battlefields and mysterious dungeons.

When venturing out of Mana Village, players can be accompanied by one of eight elemental spirits. Each of these spirits have a unique magic power which can be used to assist players in battle. Players can take along Salamander to use blistering fire magic, or Luna to use the arcane powers of the moon – but choose wisely, as each spirit will have a different impact in battle.

Players have three different types of missions they can choose to undertake. Scenario Quests must be completed to move the game story forward. Players can also accept personal requests from the residents of Mana Village, or visit Dud Services an adventuring “agency” that offers players various quests with rewards for successful completion. These missions can range from finding a particular object to defeating all enemies in a dungeon.

Players can select from up four different types of weapons (depending on game progression) to use in battle: the sword, flail, bow, or hammer. Each weapon has its strengths and weaknesses, allowing for a variety of tactics on the battlefield. Once a weapon type is unlocked, players can purchase upgraded versions of each weapon in the village shop. If they are lucky, players may find a powerful weapon on the battlefield, or receive one as a reward for completing a mission.

One of the key features of Children of Mana is multiplayer mode, where up to four players can play together in the same game (each player requires a copy of the game) via the Nintendo DS Wireless function. Players can cooperate with each other to defeat powerful enemies, or compete against each other to obtain rare items.

Children of Mana launches across Europe on 12th January 2007 for the estimated retail price of around £29.99.