New release: Fortune Summoners: Secret of the Elemental Stone

Carpe Fulgur have released a new localized game (their third, I think?) by the name of Fortune Summoners: Secret of the Elemental Stone. This one is a side-scrolling action RPG sort of in the vein of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys. Andrew Dice from CF has this to say about it:

Fortune Summoners is a 2D sidescrolling action RPG. Gameplay in Fortune Summoners consists of side-scrolling action, with you in control of one of three party members and the computer controlling the other two (with highly customizable AI dictating their actions). You will explore towns, delve dungeons, climb towers and, just maybe, find Arche a snack or two. Combat is different depending on who you control – Arche, being a swords-girl, controls in a fashion similar to a character from a brawler or fighting game, with many special moves tied to button combos. Sana and Stella, her companions, rely more on their varied selection of spells to see them through a fight – spells that rain ice down on enemies, make mirror images of friends, or set the ground ablaze!

Other features include:

• A massive gameworld to explore – nearly a dozen dungeons to delve into, and easily 25+ hours of gameplay, with lots of extra content to explore!
• Gorgeous, detailed 2D sprite backgrounds and animations – like the best 16-bit game you never got to play!
• Classic platformer-RPG action in the vein of some of the true greats of yesteryear!
• Conquer the challenges before you with intelligent AI companions – you can let them do as they want or customize their behavior to your heart’s delight!
• Stunning, professional-quality music and sound!
• Full support for Xinput controllers, including the XBox 360 controller, as well as keyboards!”

I’m planning to do a proper review of this one in the near future (in no small part because of how excellent Recettear was), and as such I have been steering clear of reading reviews of the game (reviews like this). One thing I can definitely say, however, is that this game has some eye-poppingly gorgeous pixel art. For now, you can get the demo here–or, if you want to jump right in, you can grab the full game for $19.99 on Steam.

If this game has an official trailer, I can’t find it. A bunch of people have started posting Let’s Plays of the game, though–this one should do the trick as far as showing off how the game plays: