Updated look: The Lost

Irrational Games and publisher Crave Entertainment dropped by with the latest build of The Lost for the PlayStation 2. The Lost is a third-person action RPG that takes place in a macabre setting, specifically a modernized version of the nine circles of hell, similar to that depicted in Dante's The Divine Comedy. In The Lost, you play the role of Amanda, a mother who must fight her way through hell's depths to save the soul of her daughter. During her journey, Amanda will enlist the aid of other playable characters--a strong warrior woman named Instinct, a stealthy type named Shadow, and the magically focused Corruption. A fourth alternate character named Light will also be available and will play a support role for the other three. Each of the characters has specific abilities and weapons to use, and through the accumulation of experience they can specialize in a number of different areas.

The Lost's setting is considerably grim, making use of a number of disturbing themes, including death and suicide, as well as an abundance of gruesome imagery. Designers who worked on System Shock 2 are responsible for much of the game's palpable atmosphere. The Lost's combination of survival horror elements with RPG and adventure game mechanics should give the game widespread appeal. Stay tuned for our full upcoming preview of The Lost, which is scheduled for release later this year.