While the internet pundits seem to have somehow calmed down about Dragon's Crown's art (looks like they found other things to bash), the game is speeding towards its Japanese release that will happen on July the 25th, while North American gamers will have to wait until August the 6th. To ease the wait today Atlus released a large batch of information and screenshots about the Vanillaware's game.

We learn that the game's narrator (that will have the voice of Takashi Taniguchi in the Japanese version of the game) will basically tell the story of the game like a Dungeon Master, strengthening the "Dungeons & Dragons" feel of the game.

We also meet the NPC companions that will accompany us during our adventure: the thief Loni is able to pick locks, allowing us to open chests and doors that otherwise we wouldn't be able to get past, while The fairy Tiki will help us find the right direction in the dungeons.

A few supporting characters are also introduced: the beautiful and quiet princess Vivian that will play an important role in the story, the armored veteran Samuel that owns the Adventurer's Guild and will provide quest and oversee skill advancements, while the wizard Rukian will give advice and hints on the complex plot behind the game.

One of the crucial characters we'll meet is the witch Morgan Risley, that owns a magic shop and will let us purchase new tools and sell our loot, she's also remarkably beautiful.

Sir Gustav is the Prime Minister of the kingdom and will also be a quest giver. Duke Dean is the brother of the king and Vivian's uncle, but he seems to differ with her on a number of important topics. Finally we'll be able to meet an unnamed monk in the temple of the goddess Altena. he's rumored to be able to perform miracles.

Before we start our adventure we'll be able to create our character from scratch, chosing a class between Fighter, Amazon, Dwarf, Sorceress, Wizard and Elf. Then we'll be prompted to chose a color scheme, some of which are visible in the gallery below.

As we delve deep in the dungeons and gain experience we'll earn skill points, that then we'll be able to spend at the Adventurer's Guild to unlock new skills (represented by tarot cards), divided into specific class skills available to only a single class and common skills, that will be available to everyone.

Personally, while I knew that the game was quite deep, I didn't expect this level of customization and deoth. But enough words, it's time for some eyecandy. You can find  plenty in the gallery below.