Vagrant Story, Legend of Mana, Threads of Fate, Chrono Cross and Parasite Eve to hit our PlayStations during 2000

Japanese giants Squaresoft announced today that a raft of massive games is making its way to these shores this year. We know all about the titles - they really all are huge - and it's great to know to know that they're on the way at last.

To keep your taste buds salivating, here's a brief out line of the monsters...

Vagrant Story
Tactical espionage thriller set in a richly detailed medieval environment. You'll be playing Ashley Riot and are on the run after being framed for murder by a shadowy cult. As you fight to clear your name and reveal the awful truth, you'll have the benefit of an innovative weapons system that allows you to mix and match weapon parts and a targeting feature where you can aim at specific body parts for more realistic combat. It ships to US in May, then here soon after.

Legend of Mana
2D RPG with 'water colour' graphics, magic, monsters and bosses, a choice of two different characters to play and 70 different scenarios and a Land Creation system with which to build your world. An Action Edit feature offers more immediate interaction during combat than is common with most traditional RPGs.

Threads of Fate
Fast-paced, puzzly RPG with a story that surrounds the Dewprism, an artefact with the power to reshape reality. There are two characters to play - one male, one female. If you choose the male you progress through the fully 3D world using a shape-shifting ability that allows you to take the form of defeated enemies; the female has the power to hurl powerful spells. The battle system is real-time.

Chrono Cross
Intriguing RPG involving an artefact with the power to change history. Has multiple scenarios with different endings, combination battle system with real-time sequences and flexible options like hand-to-hand fighting.
Random encounters can be avoided by using overhead camera system to steer clear of unwanted trouble.

Parasite Eve 2
Sequel to the classic RPG, you play an FBI agent pitted against a new breed of monsters threatening mankind. With run-down, urban settings and a chilling atmosphere, it's a race against the clock to find the origin of the creatures...

We'll let you have the release dates for all these titles as soon as we have them.