Battles are fought on isometric battlefields where the camera rotates around the action as characters jump and hack creatures or launch magical blasts at creatures. The characters appear fairly large on screen compared to the smaller hero depiction in games such as Disgaea or Phantom Brave. Since a wide variety of weaponry may be crafted, some outlandish and exotic swords and bladed hackers may be used against foes. After smacking a foe, the damage dealt will be shown in a number that floats upwards. To move the story along, fully animated sequences relay the tale.

The limited edition version of Rebirth Moon includes a bonus soundtrack CD, character trading cards, and an art booklet.

NCS Game Notes
* The opening cinema introduces the main characters with portraits as well as animation sequences as they relax and engage in bouts. The intro also gives a glimpse of the game world and the technology used in the game.

* Upon starting a new game, a rickety wagon is shown rolling down a forest path. A blonde male driver with glasses named Ohagi is motoring in the wagon when an explosion in the distance forces him to swerve and stop. He runs to the explosion and finds a massive blast crater. In the center of the crater is a young red haired youth named Ines who has fallen unconscious.

* The blonde man named Ohagi looks like the Catholic priest Alexander Anderson from Hellsing.

* After introducing each other, Ohagi takes Ines under his care. Six years later, Ines has grown into a strapping young man with aspirations of becoming a mercenary. While still in the introductory sequence, two purple haired miscreants engage Ines and his blonde father figure in a battle.

* The first battle is fought on an isometric map where each character is drawn with careful detail and animate with three frames of animation. A blue diamond pointer is used to select the active character and move him or attack. When the move option is chosen, an orange perimeter line is drawn across the battlefield which delineates the range of movement for a character. To move, simply move the diamond pointer to an area within the perimeter that you wish to go and press the "O" button. A green circle will appear below the pointer to indicate areas that are accessible and within range. When an attack is in progress, the camera will focus in on the action up close and allow for a clear view of the sword strike and resultant damage. When targeting a foe, select the attack option (second option from the battle menu) and a rotating blue cylinder will appear. Move the cylinder over the target and press "O" to perform a slash attack.

* In the interaction sequences, full voice acting accompanies the text shown on screen. When characters walk through the grass or wilderness, the sound effects that the producers used sound like someone's ripping up a lot of paper in haphazard manner rather than the crunch of leaves or twigs underfoot.

* After each battle, a ranking of your performance is shown along with scoring information and a listing of any objects retrieved from the battlefield.

* After beating the two thugs from the first battle, a blue haired enemy wielding a massive spear engages the two heroes. Instead of fighting it out, the battle is shown in an animated sequence where Ohagi drops the blue-haired warrior with a swing of his sword and knocks him on his ass. Ohagi then walks into the distance and disappears, dropping his sword. Ines yells out his name but he's gone. After the movie sequence, players may save their progress to memory card.

* With Ohagi gone and Ines left along with the blue-haired antagonist, another isometric battle starts up where Ines is a little uncertain of what to do next. A 4-legged creature that looks like a furball spider of some type appears and Ines has to fight it out. Just when things are looking hairy, a blonde gal in black and red leather appears and introduces herself before joining Ines' party and the two fight the creatures together. If the creatures attack and miss Ines, his INT or RES will level up. Successful attacks by Ines will also level up his attributes gradually. Whereas Ines attack targeting mechanism is a cylinder, the blonde girl's targeting polygon is a half hemisphere. After defeating the two creatures, the player will get a chance to save his progress again.

* The next scene takes Ines into the "Nest" which is a techno-junky room with monitors mounted on the wall and gear crammed around the room. While the interaction sequence is being played out, the sounds of someone typing on a keyboard may be heard in the background as Ines gets his bearings. While standing there, a siren sounds and a guy who looks like count Dracula appears and murmurs, "Hmmm?" followed by a brown-haired lad in a gold and white colored outfit. After a lengthy conversation, a trial battle (a sort of proving ground situation for Ines) commences where two new characters join Ines and face off against three fighters. While still on the battlefield, One of the enemies will use CUBE skills to craft a big gun and use it immediately afterwards for a multiple shot attack.

* To create new weapons on the battlefield, select the third option from the battle menu and the screen will pause a bit while your current weapon is upgraded to a new and more versatile piece of kit. For example, Ines' regular sword will morph into a jade and silver colored dragon's claw sort of sword which is capable of hitting multiple enemies at one time. If your friends are within range however, they'll also take damage.

* Rebirth Moon is a top notch tactical simulation with an interesting wrinkle in the CUBE system and its involving storyline. The battle sequences are eye candy whenever an attack is viewed up close and followed by special effects or damage counts. The characters are also a relatively interesting group although they follow tried and true archetypes.

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCS website.