A devastated future highlighted by the near destruction of the human race is what awaits gamers as Majesco announced today it is bringing Phantom Dust to North America. An action/strategy game developed by Microsoft Games Studios Japan, Phantom Dust will be available this winter for exclusive play on the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.

“Phantom Dust is one of the great new titles we have scheduled to kick-off our 2005 product lineup,” said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing for Majesco. “Developed by Microsoft Games Studios Japan, Phantom Dust will take full advantage of Xbox Live by allowing players to obtain and trade more than 300 of the game’s “skills” online, while giving them a deep and involved single-player game experience at the same time.”

Successfully released in Japan where it has earned a coveted score of 34 out of 40 from Famitsu magazine, one of the top video games publications in Japan, Phantom Dust is an anime-inspired game set in a post-apocalyptic era where chaos has forced people underground for safety. Players must journey above ground in a quest to learn who and what was behind the destruction, but the surface is a place of deadly evil filled with unimaginable abominations. It is also home to mysterious particles known only as Phantom Dust, a force unlike any other that has given some members of the human race unimaginable super powers.

Featuring more than 200 single-player missions where players can build up their skill inventory, Majesco’s Phantom Dust also features several multiplayer modes via Xbox Live. Once connected, players can attain special skills and unlock new battle arenas by winning and competing in Live battles. Players can then trade these skills with other Xbox Live users, attempting to amass the more than 300 skills available. A game of fast-paced action and cunning strategy, Phantom Dust will test the physical and mental prowess of even the most advanced player.

Phantom Dust for Xbox is scheduled for release this winter.