Really?
Yup. The 12 themed arenas are huge and you can explore every corner of them. They aren't flat either, so you can take cover from opponents behind hills and other landscape features. The battlegrounds include hills, caves, a villa, a fortress, castles and shrines.

What else?
The primary spells have a kind of 'scissor, paper, stone' effect. For instance, 'speed' can overcome 'power', 'power' can overcome 'scatter' and, you guessed it, 'scatter' can overcome 'speed'.

You're not seriously highlighting this as a major gameplay feature?
Um. No. Sorry. But the thing is, there are loads of moves, loads of gaming areas and a wealth of characters.

What about the pugilists?
They're the usual proud, polygonal fantasy figures, each with a bewildering pyrotechnical ability. There's the obligatory old boy, some tight-costumed chicks, 'the one with the big sword', 'the one with the mask', and a bloke that looks a bit like Steven Segal. You can jump and spin and fire projectiles from a welter of angles. Trouble is, it seems rather too easy. You long for a bit of 'hand-to-hand' but try and get near an opponent and you'll be knocked off your feet by a fireball or 17.

Game options?
One-player, Verses, Endurance, Team Battle, Endurance, Time Attack and Practice. Standard fare.

Looks to kill?
Destrega is certainly neat of polygon. The spot effects are excellent but the gameplay comes across as interminably dull. Jump and press. And again... it's not as good as Bushido Blade.


*Loads of characters and arenas
*Each has 34 spells to use
*Great spot effects and visuals
*Rather too easy
*Not enough hand-to-hand combat