Phantom Dust

Fast Facts

1. Developer: Microsoft Game Studios
2. Platform: Xbox
3. Mode: Single-Player, multiplayer
4. Genre: Role-Playing
5. ESRB rating: Teen (T)
6. Release date: March 15, 2005

Story

In the near future, humans have been forced to live underground due to dangerous levels of mysterious dust on the surface. Due to the phantom dust above ground, and you are one of many humans who've developed amazing powers. With your powers you go to discover the secrets about your past and to find a way to return above ground. You also get some subplots of your other friends who are also seeking the truth about their own past.

Gameplay

Gameplay is a cross between the deck-building and card-collecting elements. Instead of weapons, you're armed with "skills". There are 340 skills to collect by completing missions in single-player, buying them, or trading with other players on Xbox Live. There are 40 rare skills that you can only get by completing specific goals in multiplayer. Each of your skills belong to one of the five schools and your deck contains skills from one or two schools. The skills range from a variety of offensive or defensive abilities plus some added abilities, such as the one to fly. Many defensive skills must be activated just as an attack is about to hit, and many attacks require a clear line of sight and optimal range. Attacks can even be avoided by manually dodging them or going for cover. The amount of skills you can carry is limited, however. You can carry four skills at a time, each one mapped to one of the X, Y, B, and A buttons. You begin a round with four skills that are randomly selected from your "deck". These skills appear as glowing orbs and are at the top of your 'draw pile.' By standing on the orb and pressing one of the four buttons, you replace the previously mapped skill with the new one. If you go through your entire deck before the end of the fight, your HP decreases until eventually you die. Skills cost 'aura' to activate, and is determined by your level. The majority of the 30 slots in your deck is devoted to aura particles. Each particle you pick up raises your level by one and the aura depletes as you use your skills.

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