For the first time PSP gamers in Europe and beyond will get their hands on the battle action game based on the smash hit Japanese anime and manga. Created by Hiromu Arakawa and first published in Japan by Monthly Shonen Gangan in 2001, Fullmetal Alchemist has secured itself a top five position in Japan’s incredibly vibrant and competitive manga scene, spawning multiple anime series and a length feature film. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is based on the most recent 2009 anime series of the same name, critically lauded as the most faithful so far to the spirit of the original manga.

The story of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows the adventures of the Elric brothers, two young alchemists cursed after an ill-fated attempt to bring their mother back from the dead during which Edward suffered the horrifying loss of a leg and arm while Alphonse’s soul was ensnared in a medieval suit of armour. Driven by their strong relationship and remarkable skills they begin a new, battle-packed adventure on the trail of the philosopher’s stone. Only the stone has the power to restore their bodies. This time they’re fighting for more than just their lives.

The game’s Adventure Mode lets players live the adventure of the Elric brothers as they strive to foil a foul plot and take on other powerful alchemists in battles to the death. The game features a host of additional customisable playable characters with points earned in battle used to upgrade their special powers and abilities.

In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood the fights go down in a series of different battle arenas where players can flex their spectacular alchemist abilities, use the terrain’s topography strategically to gain the upper hand, and judiciously launch special Combination Attacks with their battle partner to turn the tide of battle. The Multiplayer Mode lets between two and four players co-operate or fight against each other via ad hoc wi-fi to find out once and for all who has the most powerful alchemy of all at their fingertips.