Rasetsu Alternative includes two PC ports - the original Rasetsu and the adjunct to the game called Rasetsu Xan. In Japan, the series is up to Rasetsu II. New to the Playstation 2 are character revisions, new missions and scenarios, and a free mission mode.

Bonus Schwagula
All orders will include a bonus 161-page Rasetsu Data Book which contains full color character portraits and artwork, a chronology of the events in the Rasetsu games, history of the opposing factions, and creature data.

NCS Game Notes
* At the outset of the game, players may select a grey-suited male character or a similarly attired female character. Their attributes are similar although the female has 1 more unit of dexterity. Upon naming the hero, the game begins with an intro filled with chanting techno music and voiceover which relays the storyline while the camera slowly pans across artwork of armor suited warriors who have weapons fused to their arms.

* The left analog thumbstick moves a green cursor while the "O" button selects a unit to control. Once selected, a segmented circle appears on the character. To move, click the green cursor on a target and the hero will follow order. To attack, highlight the target by hovering the cursor over it and press the "R1 trigger" followed by the "O" button. Once targeted, the firing continues until the target is destroyed.

* The first mission is fairly simple and gets one into the groove of things. Objectives are explained through dialogue screens with illustrations. To get to certain areas of the first level, be mindful that vegetation may be blasted by your weaponry and cleared out of the way.

* The AI of the movement algorithm is clumsy and tedious. Long distances are not understood very well when one wants a troop to move from A to B. Shorter intervals are necessary to break up long distance travel. When a long click is performed, it's likely that the troop will become confused and wander or pace forward and backwards repeatedly without making any headway.

* To select multiple units, press and hold the "O" button on a unit until a circle spreads out to select everyone in its radius.

* For gamers unable to read Japanese: To save your progress after completing the first level, select the sixth option from the MENU which is located on the upper left side of the screen. Four options will appear and they are as follows:

SAVE DATA - wait for prompt and then move the cursor to the top option
LOAD DATA
OPTIONS
RETURN TO TITLE SCREEN

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