Last October, Mastiff Games announced that it would be distributing La Pucelle: Tactics, Nippon Ichi's award-winning role-playing game. Today, the recently minted San Francisco publisher announced that the game will hit store shelves in "early May 2004." Although the game has not yet been rated or priced, it will be released solely for the PlayStation 2.

　　Developed by the creators of Disgaea, La Pucelle: Tactics uses a battle system that's similar to its forebear, which emphasizes item use and party formation. According to Mastiff, the game's story "is a tale of betrayal and double cross," set in an alternate-history medieval Europe, that stars a teenage heroine. Among the game's other features are:

　　Players who can turn enemies into allies, bring up to eight units in to battle, and attack in formation with your allies. Characters who will have the abilities to damage multiple enemies at once, stop new enemies from appearing, and strengthen items in real time. A more detailed story and more character development than that found in Disgaea. A fast-leveling system whereby items, characters, and skills can increase every round of battle for well-earned instant gratification. A greater carrying capacity of nearly 150 items. More than 100 hours of gameplay and multiple endings.

　　GameSpot will have more details on La Pucelle: Tactics as they become available.