DemiKids: Light and Dark Versions ships to retail
by Jolex Del Pilar

Tuesday, October 7, 2003

GBA game promises lots of demon collecting.

Atlus U.S.A., Inc., a leading publisher of console RPG’s, announced today that DemiKids: Light and Dark Versions for the Game Boy Advance, an offshoot of the popular Shin Megami Tensei series in Japan has shipped to retailers nationwide.

Game Synopsis

The year is 200X. Jin (main character of Light Version), Akira (main character of Dark Version), and Lena are 6th grade friends who have grown up together. They are also members of the “Mystery Club” which searches for interesting and mysterious things.

While snooping around the school’s library, they happen upon a mysterious book containing various spells and incantations. Curiosity overwhelms the group as they decide to carry out a summoning ritual, unprepared for the consequences... To their surprise, an evil demon appears and their only hope comes from a peculiar new student, Amy, who gives Jin and Akira the power to capture and summon demons by way of the gun-like Demolyzer. They are also joined by Rand and Gale, guardian demons sent to protect them.

Meanwhile, a time rift appears outside the school, and a strange phenomenon occurs. The flow of time has been disrupted, and the events in their world are locked in a recurring loop. Every time the main character tries to leave school, time reverts back to when school was dismissed. However, Jin, Akira, Lena, and Amy are the only ones who recognize the bizarre circumstances. The other students go about their business as if nothing's happened.

Trapped in a time loop, the main characters begin to wonder what will become of the future. Unexpectedly, Amy reveals that she has come from another dimension, Valhalla, to find a savior from this world. She insists that this mysterious phenomenon signifies a terrible turn of events in Valhalla.

Jin, Lena, and Amy go through the “Door of Time” to the world of Valhalla.

In this world, demons and angels brandish their powers under the emperor while humans are oppressed. Jin, Lena, and Amy team up with the DemiKids of Valhalla to fight as rebels against the emperor’s army.

DemiKids: Light and Dark Versions: Facts & Features

Role-Playing/Trading/Collecting, 1-2 Players
· Collect over 350 demons by using the special fusion system! Unlock stronger ones by trading with a different version!
· Demon fusion system allow for hundreds of possible combinations to create new demons or make existing demons stronger!
· Avoid battles and even gain new allies by negotiating with the demonic denizens of Valhalla.

Differences Between the Light Version and Dark Version

· Scenario

Although the story in both versions occurs during the same time frame, the scenarios differ depending on which protagonist you are playing with. Jin, the protagonist of the Light Version, goes from the real world to Valhalla with Lena and Amy. They join the rebels at the request of Amy, and try to overthrow the emperor of Valhalla and his army.

On the other hand, Akira, the protagonist of the Dark Version, makes a stop in the Demon World before heading to Valhalla to catch up with Jin and friends. During his adventures in the Demon World, Akira meets Mephius, the king of all demons, and learns more about the source of the time distortion.

Like Jin, Akira eventually challenges the emperor of Valhalla and his army, but there are significant differences in the storyline leading up to that event.

· The Fusion System

Each version of DemiKids uses a unique fusion system. Special fusions known as Relic Fusions and Skill Fusions can be performed in either version. While in the Dark Version you will be able to increase the parameters of all party members, in the Light Version you will only be able to increase those of your Partner, the guardian demon that accompanies you.

· Demon Appearances

While some of the demons available in each title will overlap, certain ones will be unique to either the Light or Dark Version. Furthermore, the circumstances under which the demons are encountered may also vary.

For gamers who wish to use the demon-recruiting aspect of the game to its fullest capacity, linking systems will be an exciting way to enhance their assortment of demon allies.

For more information, please visit the Atlus website at http://www.atlus.com.

"DemiKids: Light and Dark Versions" are compatible only with the Game Boy Advance and have a suggested retail price of US $29.99.

--- Jolex Del Pilar