VIDEO GAME 'Demon Stone' features more plot, more control

The player can switch among the three main characters.
By TOM HAM
SPECIAL TO WASHINGTON POST
Like most hack-and-slash adventure games, "Demon Stone" (Atari/Stormfront Studios) is all about button-mashing action, but in this case you control three characters instead of just one. And it has more of a plot than the average hack-and-slash title.
Its story, written by fan-favorite Dungeons and Dragons author R.A. Salvatore, provides a decent setup to the quest that ensues: Your three warriors must band together to recapture the two evil leaders who recently escaped from the magical Demon Stone in which they had been imprisoned hundreds of years ago.
Switch characters
A simple tap of the controller suffices to switch among the three main characters. Rannek is your basic all-around fighter, whose talent with melee weapons allows him to be relied upon in close-in battles. Zhai, a rogue, can sneak up on enemies for a surprise attack. And Illius, the sorcerer, can stun enemies from afar with his magical staff. The game regularly forces you to change characters as you play; for example, only Zhai can reach switches and levers in some key areas in the game.
Combat is visceral and vicious -- you'll face enemies from all sides and in mass numbers. Thanks to effective use of shadows, changing lighting and beautifully drawn backgrounds, this game looks more like a graphic novel set in motion. Voice acting, featuring such name-brand talent as Patrick Stewart, is another strong point.
If you survive and progress, you'll gain both experience and massive amounts of gold, and eventually the satisfaction of rescuing your land from evil.
X"Demon Stone," available for PlayStation 2, will also be available for Windows and Xbox versions in November.