Platform	PlayStation 2
Available	March 6 (Japan)
Price	5,800 yen
Genre	Action
Developer	Capcom
Publisher	Capcom

Based on a novel serialized in Dragon Magazine, Chaos Legion is labelled by Capcom as an "Emotional Action Game". Capcom are not new to the field of making up crazy genres though, having defined the "Stylish Hard Action" genre with Devil May Cry and the "Civil War Survival Action" genre with Onimusha. So how much emotion have they managed to cram into this latest action game then?

Not being familiar with the novel, their claims seem to be very tenuous indeed. There is plenty of story around this game, but it doesn't seem to relate to the action sequences at all. That doesn't mean their presence is unwanted though. The magnificent, somewhat operatic cut scenes and narrations act as entertaining intermissions to break up the action, while also pressing home the beauty of this game.

The graphics in this game really are a big improvement on the early days of the PS2. The characters and monsters are all well-defined, the surroundings are varied and the pyrotechnics are really a sight to behold. However some patience must be exerted to see all this game has to offer. The first four or five stages are really similar, and you could be forgiven for starting to feel tired of the game before you get to the exciting parts. But persevere and you will be rewarded - maybe this is how all games should be.

The sound is another area where this game excels. Voice acting is rapidly becoming the norm in games these days, and the quality of Chaos Legion's must be given due credit. Capcom also had the heart to include both English and Japanese voice recordings in the game, though the game must be completed to hear the English version. Definitely a plus for the consumer. The music is a cross between techno and rock, sounding like Trent Reznor and at times, verging on an industrial sound.

In terms of gameplay, the game is bound to be compared to Devil May Cry but this should be avoided really. Whereas Devil May Cry involved a lot of exploration, and a bit of puzzle solving in some ways, Chaos Legion is a pure action game. There is no unnecessary exploration, just wall to wall hacking and slashing. People familiar with the Dynasty Warriors games may well feel the gameplay is similar at first - you are faced with hordes of enemies and you must hack them aside with 4 or 5 hit combos. However, later in the game, the combos grow longer as you learn more moves, and with efficient use of your legions, you won't be so worried about the sheer number of enemies bearing down on you. There is also another twist to the gameplay around the middle of the game, but I'll let players find that for themselves rather than spoil it here.

So what is the legion the title speaks of? This is really the key aspect of the game. As you polish off bosses, you will be given new legions which you can then raise and equip on your player. Your character, Sieg, can equip up to two legions during the intermissions, and summon either one of those during the game. The legions all have specific characteristics: sword, strength, arrow, shield, bomb, claw etc. Careful selection of legion can make your gameplay much more efficient, and improve your score. Score directly converts into experience points which are awarded to both the legions you had equipped during that stage, and this can then be used to power up those legions during the intermission. Variables that can be affected are force, assist and enchant, as well as staple RPG stats attack and defense. Force and assist relate directly to the two modes in which legions can be summoned. If a legion is summoned in force mode, its members will attack with you using their standard characteristic and the force level determines the number of members that will be fighting alongside you. In assault mode, the legion is summoned as required, using the triangle button to carry out special attacks which are improved as the assist level increases. The enchant statistic gives Sieg special moves as it is powered up.

It is also possible to max out legions' statistics, and in doing so, their special moves will become a permanent addition to Sieg's list rather than only being usable when that legion is equipped. The system may seem quite complex at first, but it is introduced in small steps and once mastered leads to further enjoyment of the game. Being able to string together a large combination of special moves is very satisfying and leads to better scores.

The key to this game, really, is patience. At first the game may seem repetitive and dull, but with investment of your time, it blossoms into a very stylish action game. It's free camera and stats-building elements will please many people who yearn for complete control, and the addition of many extras extends the longevity of the game, as well as a good scoring system that will keep you coming back to improve your records.

All in all, a massively fun game that is bound to get overlooked because of an average start.

- Jonathan Lumb
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