September 28^th, 2005 (6:49pm) - Always a great source for the latest game developments in Japan, the latest issue of Famitsu has revealed that Killer 7 developer Grasshopper Manufacturer is currently working on an action RPG for the Nintendo DS named Contact. The game is being published by Marvelous Interactive in Japan.

Contact’s story involves a mysterious element that is used by an elderly professor to create a space ship which launches him into space. The professor ends up crashing on a strange planet and with the element now scattered into pieces across the planet. Not able to find the pieces of the element on his lonesome, the professor gets the help of a boy named Cherry, who has come across the a mysterious "set of seals" and needs to help the professor in order to find his own way home as well.

The professor eventually loses contact with Cherry and he then asks those who bought the game, or you the player, to assist Cherry with his journey and find the elements. Sound bizarre? Of course it does, but what else would you expect from the developer of Killer 7?

One of Cherry’s abilities allows him to change into various costumes, which in return gives him new skills and moves. The game features seven costumes in total, including that of a fisherman, cook and pilot. In addition to this, Cherry also has weapon and magic skills, something all players have come to expect from an RPG. However, the other unique ability that Cherry has is the ability to use seals he gathers in the game, stick them on himself, thus giving him new powers.

Producing the game is Killer 7 producer Suda 51 (Kouichi) and directing the game is Kou Ueda. The character designs are being done by Atsuko Fukushima, who has worked on the character designs for the "Popolocrois" anime in Japan, in addition to working on the infamous "Akira."

Contact is scheduled for a Japanese release in February. No word on a U.S. release or publisher at the moment.