Another day, another promising game from the wits and minds over at SCEI. Say what you will about Sony's occasionally beleaguered consoles, but don't fail to keep in mind that when its one of their internal developing teams at the table, it's a whole new game (pun intended). The Mark of Kri is the next of kin in a growing family tree, an auspicious continuity of Sony's name of wealth, prominence, and class.

Assuming the role of Rau, a (get this) burly warrior with unparalleled valor and strength, and along with his trusty sidekick Kuzo, a black bird that can see all, together they must travel to distant lands and…do something of venerable and meritorious worth, no doubt. Sony is keeping oddly and uncharitably tight-lipped about Kri's back story and plot.

While the last big attempt at revolutionizing melee combat can probably be traced back to Treyarch's overlooked Die by the Sword or Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda's Z-targeting, The Mark of Kri also champions an its-so-simple-and-brilliant-why-haven't-we-done-it-before paradigm for combat, and is the game's most championed feature. Assigning a button to up to nine enemies in Rau's presence, where pressing the X button orders Rau to strike in the direction of the enemy with the X over his head (and the same goes for circle, triangle and so on and so on), Kri offers an unabashedly basic though rather clever and intuitive battle system, effectively ridding itself of the wonky camera angle plague. Some may consider the mechanics a bit shallow, but by merit and theory alone, it can't be possibly worse than Gauntlet Legends and Soul Fighter, two games that are currently occupying the nadir of contemporary hack and slash games.

But if that can't appease all you pessimists, there's also a combo system and stealth mode, which all adds to a very nice overall package. Wailing on one guy will leave you open to attack from all the others so it'll be crucial to moderate your attacks, juggling between your foes will be the key. Kuzo is the pivotal core of the stealth mode, who can fly around and scout the area, informing Rau what can be expected up ahead, allowing you to sneak around it if you so desire. Unlockables, in the form of extra stages and items, the final step that's taken to ensure your attention and focus doesn't wander, are rewarded with the successful completion of the levels and game.

The Mark of Kri will house music from Juno Reactor and animation reportedly being supplied by Disney and Don Bluth alumni. The latter especially comes as a delightful surprise, since I'm a fanatical aficionado of 80s animation, including Bluth's own The Secret of NIMH and the original The Land Before Time.

As last minute momentum begins to build, things continue to look quite well for The Mark of Kri. Indeed, if all stays on track, Sony may have another sleeper hit when it arrives on store shelves this August.

··· Sqoon