Square-Enix may not be known for Western-style loot-based RPGs (think Torchlight or Dungeon Siege), but they are looking to make a big splash with the first such game on 3DS by teaming up with American developer n-Space. The company has a reputation for solid online experiences on DS, with the recent portable Call of Duty games. Now they're bringing that expertise to this new, fantasy RPG on 3DS.

The game looks great all around, and my only  issue with the presentation is that the top-down view doesn't take great advantage of the 3D display. Still, the camera rotates around environmental objects, and the textures are quite sharp. Levels are randomly generated, but supposedly the algorithm is designed to avoid excessive dead-ends and other frustrating scenarios that tend to result from randomized levels. There are four character classes, and you can customize each with a large number of abilities that are unlocked with level-ups. One face button controls the standard attack for that class (which can be charged), but the other three can be assigned via touch screen to control the abilities of your choice. Potions, equipment, and other items are handled on the D-pad.

Heroes of Ruin looks to be standard fare for this genre, but it's bringing a very addictive and popular formula to the 3DS platform, where content-rich experiences are greatly needed. n-Space is implementing local cooperative multiplayer, but you can also have up to four players online, drop-in/out style, with voice chat through the 3DS microphone. Unused inventory items can also be traded via StreetPass, and Square-Enix is guaranteeing a full year of daily items delivered through SpotPass. This free DLC system is integrated in such a way that the developer can create and deliver new items with roughly one week of lead time, so they can respond to fan requests over time.

It all sounds like exactly what 3DS owners want, but you'll have to wait until early 2012 to get your hands on Heroes of Ruin. I'm pretty excited to check it out again.