Slated to take place quite shortly, the launch of Ultima Online: Samurai Empire, the latest expansion pack for EA's landmark persistent state title, will introduce a distant, exotic territory, the Tokuno Islands. This region hearkens back to the property's very first title, which made mention of a domain called the Land of the Feudal Lords. Not seen at that time or since, it will debut as an Asian- and especially Japanese-inspired environment within which players can look forward to exploring diverse types of terrain reportedly ranging from swamps to mountains, forests, jungles, deserts, tundra and more. While wandering and viewing the scenery, you'll come across some 15 new creatures such as demonic oni, various elementals, an undead spirit known as the Lady of the Snow, and the Hai Riyo, a daunting dragon that, once vanquished, can be tamed and ridden.

The theme will also be reflected in the implementation of two new classes. One is the Samurai, a melee fighter trained in Bushido, the way of the warrior. This path offers the chance to learn lethal special abilities like the swift and ferocious Lightning Strike, and Honorable Execution, which attempts to eliminate an adversary with a single blow, although the penalties for failure can be harsh. The other is the stealthy Ninja who can master the art of Ninjitsu. Among other skills, its practitioners can be taught the creation of smoke bombs, the use of Animal Form to appear as harmless fauna to their foes, and Mirror Image, which confuses opponents by creating up to four likenesses of themselves. These highlights naturally piqued our interest. In this regard, we were fortune to secure the team's agreement to tell us more.