Update: Gamer's Hell points out this is the game also known as Oniblade with a different title. Apologies for oni confusion.

SouthPeak Games announces X-Blades, a third-person hack-and-slash action game in the works at TopWare Interactive, due for release on PCs and "next-gen consoles" later this year. An X-Blades Teaser Website is live offering some screenshots, and promising the launch of the full site in one week. Here's the announcement:

Grapevine, Texas – February 29, 2008 - SouthPeak Games today announced that it will release X-Blades, a third-person hack-and-slash action title for next-gen consoles and PC, in late 2008. In the game, players control an enchanting anime-style heroine that destroys anything in her path using guns, blades, magic, and a healthy dose of cinematic flair.

“The unique anime backdrop combined with the high-octane gameplay really takes X-Blades into brand new territory,” said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. “This genre needs a fresh take and this game delivers.”

X-Blades features a special combination of cinematic style, beautiful animation, and relentless, high speed gameplay. Players assume the role of Ayumi, a stunningly seductive yet tenacious heroine who battles enemies with her pistol blades, acrobatic ability, and magic spells. With full anime cut scenes, the story unfolds revealing demonic powers and spectacular landscapes, all ripe for exploration and battles.

“We are big fans of anime and that was really our inspiration for X-Blades,” said James Seaman, Managing Director at TopWare Interactive. “Our goal was to create stylistic characters and artwork, and mix that with lightning fast action. The result is a killer title that gamers and animation fans won’t be able to put down.”

More information on X-Blades will be coming soon.