If you're a manga or anime fan or an avid viewer of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block of over-night cartoon blocks (Saturday - Thursday weekly) then you are probably already familiar with Fullmetal Alchemist. If you're not, then the basic premise of the show is about two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use the powerful science of alchemy in an attempt to bring their dead mother back to life. But with the use of alchemy so powerful and so forbidden comes a great price and the brothers are forced to pay for it with their flesh - as punishment the younger brother Alphonse lost his entire body and elder Elric brother Edward lost his leg trying to save his soul. Edward was able to save his brother's soul by sacrificing his leg and sacrificing his arm, which enabled him to put his brother's soul inside a suit of metal armor.

Not wanting to live out the rest of their days with such heavy burdens, the brothers head out to Central City in search of the one object in the world that can return them both to normal - the Philosopher's Stone. But finding the fabled object won't be as easy a task as they had first thought. The game begins as the brothers head out on their journey to find the stone and immediately get sidetracked into several different adventures that will test their fighting and alchemy skills to the limit.

Square Enix's Full Metal Alchemist and the Broken Angel follows the tried-and true action role-playing formula, letting players control the elder brother Edward, who uses a variety of basic sword attacks and alchemy powers to take down the enemy. Little brother Alphonse, who isn't little at all but a hulking metallic warrior, can also be called on for support during the course of the game. But the key element that the game focuses on is Edward's alchemic ability to transmute game world objects into use and powerful weapons. Players can use their powers to take useless junk and other objects and turn them into powerful weapons.

The battle system in the game offers three types of combat specific functions - basic attacks, dodge moves and "Accu-Strikes." Basic attacks are used to do simple attacks to slice and dice enemies. Dodge moves allow the player to cartwheel, backflip and perform a breakfall if knocked down during combat. Accu-Strikes are timing based attacks, that if done correctly, can unleash powerful attacks against enemies.

But when your sword is not enough, players will turn to the use of alchemy. Alchemy comes in three levels - basic, weapon, and strong alchemy. Basic alchemy allows players to create rockblockers (stone walls) to guard the player and create granite spikes called Stonepikes to wipe out nearby enemies. Weapon Alchemy increases the damage for both Al and Ed by creating weapons like swords, lances and daggers - these weapons can be further transmuted with elemental powers to increase the damage they inflict. Finally, there's Strong Alchemy, which allows players to create powerful stationary weapons like Canons and Crossbows - which are devastating to the enemy if used properly.

Players follow the basic storyline and interact with many of the key characters from the TV show (which we've listed in detail below), battling all kinds of creatures ranging from human to mythical as they inch closer to the fabled Philosopher's Stone. Players must use objects scattered about the game field to create varying types of weapons and attacks using alchemy combined with Edward's sword skills and Alphonse's support. While player's don't directly control the hulking metal monster with a heart of gold, they can give him specific commands like Guard, Attack, Etc. Players can also command Al to pick up weapons that he can use to further enhance his fighting prowess. The action is presented in third-person and is more action focused than RPG focused. Edward and Al have separate life meters, can gain experience and level up independently of one another. Players will also notice that they may have to baby-sit Al from time to time, healing him with items to keep him alive as you battle through various areas of the game. Square Enix promises a game experience that closely matches the TV series and about 50 or so items that can be transmuted into all manner of weapons and other goodies using your alchemy skills.

The game, which has been available in Japan since late 2003 was created by Racjin in Osaka, Japan. Fullmetal Alchemist was Racjin's first PlayStation 2 title and has proven to be a hit in that region. Anticipation is high for the North American release of Fullmetal Alchemist to be just as good as it's Japanese counterpart. The game is tentatively scheduled for release in January of 2005 and will carry a "T" for "TEEN" rating by the ESRB. Below you can find a complete listing of all the character's in the game:

Character Descriptions:



Edward Elric

Age: 15

Title: Fullmetal Alchemist

The youngest individual to ever achieve the title of State Alchemist. His nickname, "Fullmetal Alchemist," comes from the fact that his right arm and left leg are "automails," artificial limbs made out of steel. Edward travels with his brother to find the "Philosopher's Stone," the only object that can help him reclaim his original body.



Alphonse Elric

Age: 14

Contrary to his alarming appearance, Al is a child with a gentle heart. He travels with his older brother Edward in hopes of regaining his original body and escaping the armor that contains his soul. He is a person of firm character who keeps his cool and frequently chides his easily-provoked brother. His compassion and understanding are an inspiration to all.



Colonel Roy Mustang

Age: 29

Title: Flame Alchemist

Rank: Colonel

A State Alchemist who is the commander of the Eastern Command Center. Mustang is called the "Flame Alchemist." His alchemy allows him to control the flames created by his special gloves, which are made from a flammable material called pyrotex. He is popular with the ladies - but rumor has it that he is powerless on rainy days.



Major Alex Louis Armstrong

Title: Strong Armed Alchemist

Rank: Major

A State Alchemist with the rank of major. With fancy footwork unbecoming to his massive appearance, and alchemy created from his enormous knuckles, he possesses devastating force that reflects his nickname, the "Strong Armed Alchemist." Although a soft-hearted, mustachioed sentimentalist, he has a habit of showing off his physical form in a none-too-subtle manner.



Armony Eiselstein

Professor Wilhelm Eiselstein's daughter. Her father strictly prohibits her from learning alchemy because she has no talent for it. She believes that her father has grown cold to her because of her inability to perform alchemy, so she becomes Ed's student in hopes of acceptance. She has a cheerful disposition and is a hard worker. She also loves flowers.



Professor Wilhelm Eiselstein

One of the circle of "Ten Alchemists" and considered a world authority on catalytics - the study of making alchemy more efficient. Eiselstein is also a friend of Ed's master, Izumi. He is researching the "Philosopher's Catalyst," a legendary material that has powers comparable to the "Philosopher's Stone." When chimeras attacked the city of Hiessgart, he took the initiative by evacuating the residents and establishing the city of New Hiessgart.



Camilla

A mysterious woman in black, she is a legendary alchemist who has been missing for several decades. Swank but brutal, she will do anything to complete her objective. She is skillful at manipulating others with her seductive voice.

If you'd like to learn more about the cartoon on which the game is based, check out Adult Swim's Fullmetal Alchemist TV section . Keep your eye on www.square-enix.com for further details on this game leading up to its January 2005 release here in North America. Also check out these new screenshots from the North american version of the game.