Namco Bandai has announced that its eagerly-awaited new action RPG Dark Souls will be launching in Europe next month.
The new PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 title is the spiritual successor to last year's surprise hit Demon's Souls, which has achieved fame for its punishing difficulty and old-school charms.
Developed once again by FromSoftware, Dark Souls aims to up the ante with more weapons, magic styles and boundless character customisation, allowing players to tailor their warriors to match their own styles.
The game will also build upon Demon's Souls' innovative online features, as players occupy the same game world and can choose to help or sabotage others on their quest.
When Dark Souls makes its debut next month, it will be released in a special Limited Edition version that includes a making-of DVD, a soundtrack album and an artbook.
It will also pack in a strategy guide that offers essential survival tips for rookies and experienced pros alike.