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This is one massive news update, with a lot more of the seemingly final details concerning the third installment in the Lufia series. First and foremost, a name change: the game will now be known as Lufia: The Legend Returns. The game is scheduled for a fourth quarter domestic release, with Japanese and European releases following.
Set 100 years after the original Lufia, The Legend Returns is being released with another set of entirely new characters. The changeup in plot was explained by Natsume spokespersons as having to do with the changes in the developmental teams and the return of the script author for the first two titles. The plot itself will deal with the returning Sinistrals, this time aided by Balzak, "the God of Fire". It is unknown at this time whether or not Arek will make an appearance. Take a look at the character descriptions for the heroes, straight from Natsume's press release.
Wein - Age: 17 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Magic Warrior "I would like to see all of the world. That's all!" Wein was living a boring life in a small local village with no excitement. A girl by the name of Seena having hair of cerulean blue appeared in front of him. Wein decided to go on a journey with Seena. Wein, having a genuine heart and full of curiousity, now beings his adventure.
Seena - Age: 16 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Magician (Fortune Teller) "I can't see your future...perhaps you are stupid?" The beautiful girl, Seena, challenges the riddle of the four towers which have mysteriously appeared. Seena, strong-minded, and a little sentimental has begun her journey alone with a certain destiny. Soon after Seena happened to meet Wein, she felt something inside of him that she has never felt in others. Seena asked Wein to join her on her adventure...a journey which would determine her life span.
Randorf - Age: 72 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Swordsman (The Guards) "It is my last duty to rescue the Princess." Randorf is a faithful vassal of Princess Melfis. Ralforf was called "The Master of Twin Swords" when he was young and people were afraid of him. He is now old and not strong as he once was, but his loyalty to the Princess never faltered.
Melfis - Age: 20 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Princess (Magician of Recovery) "I did not know that the outside world was so grand. I would like to experience as much as possible." Princess Melfis was confined to an underground jail due to a betrayal of a subordinate. Due to this experience, she starts to become curious of the world outside her castle. She starts her journey throughout the world in disguise.
Dei - Age: 24 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Robber "There is nothing that I cannot steal in the world. I can even get into the Cremond Palace, if I want!" He is a likeable robber. His skill of robbery is not as high as he claims it to be. He is a man of compassion and gives all that he takes to the poor, leaving nothing to himself.
Aima - Age: 26 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Monk "The grass and stars are my bed and blanket. Some people call it camping out." Aima is a monk training herself to be a Master of the Fist. Aima's Master points out that she must first work on her mental weakness to become a Master of the Fist, thus she decides to go with Wein and his friends on their journey. She is big-hearted and likes to live naturally.
Deckard - Age: 32 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Pirate "Yes, the sea is great!" Deckard, the wandering, long pirate. His motto is "I do what I want when I want." His business is pirating, but he never attacks the boat of a good person. He has no self-awareness of his criminal nature. His past is mysterious and a big bounty is put on his head.
Ruby - Age: 21 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Gambler "Let's bet, head or tails. What's the bet? Am I, myself not enough?" Ruby is a very glamorous female gambler. Her beautiful, small eyes give an impression that she is cold, bewitching, and tricky, but in fact she is emotionally and sentimental. Sometimes she cheats on a bet, but has never been found out.
Milka - Age: 25 (Human years) - Sex: Female - Race: Elf - Occupation: Magician (Naturalist) "I feel a flow of spiritual forces...a fondly-remembered wave." She is a descendent of the elf race, who are rare now. She witnessed all the Doom Island Wars. Elves love nature more than anything else, and regret the industrialized human society.
Isac-Shia - Age: 43 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Illusionist (Inventor) "What should this be called without being called an illusion?!" He is an inventor and a magician. He is a descendent of the great inventors of the Shia family. He is always invention something wacky, and there tends to be explosions in his laboratory. His ideas are too eccentric for people to understand.
Chelsee - Age: 13 - Sex: Female - Race: Human - Occupation: Idol "I'll do my best!" Her dream is to be an idol. She is tough and always tries her best, usually not with the best results. She takes everything positively and is very sweet. She continues dreaming of being a star some day.
Bareia - Age: 28 - Sex: Male - Race: Vampire - Occupation: Vampire "I shall have red wine tonight, too." He is half Human and half Vampire. Lately he has been feeling weak because he hasn't drank any blood. He thinks that he is a gorgeous count, however he is the only one.
Yurist - Age: 27 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Wanderer "The wind tells me where to go...look, a good wind is blowing." A mysterious wanderer and a poet. He seems to have some knowledge of medical science. He lives the way he likes. What would he have in his eyes?
Panapas - Age: 11 - Sex: Male - Race: Human - Occupation: Artist "That reminds me of you...a sweet melody." He is an artist and a musician. He is very young, but he speaks the way a wise man would. Because of that, he has no friends his own age. In fact, he is very lonely, but he does not want to admit it.
Moose - Age: ? - Sex: ? - Race: ? - Occupation: Capsule Monster "Moo...moo...moo..." Moose, the Capsule Monster. It can not speak, but seems to have the power to understand the will of humans. It lives far inside the woods and seems to be a creature of deep sympathy.
Balzak - God of Fire He is the mighty God of Fire that covers the entire sky. Once he steps on the ground, nobody can stop him from burning everything.
In the weeks prior to E3, sources had indicated that the game was going to be released under the title, "Lufia: The Beginning of a Legend", and would take the form of a prequel to Lufia II. However, as reported above, this was not the case.
And finally, Natsume has posted some poetry and prose on their website concerning the Legend Returns. Thanks to Ken Scheiwe for the heads-up.
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Forfeit Island / Lufia: The Legend Returns / News