Though the 3DS has steadily increased in popularity since its release, it hasn't yet found its "killer app" that's designed to move units and sustain interest. The bad news, for both Square Enix and Nintendo, is that the action-RPG Heroes of Ruin isn't it. It's certainly ambitious enough - almost to the point of being fatally so - and packs plenty of content for those willing to take the plunge. But with what will almost certainly end up a meager online community, varying aesthetic quality, and such a weak marketing campaign, Heroes of Ruin does not seem to be destined for greatness.

That doesn't mean the action RPG doesn't aim high, though. To jump right in, you're given your pick of four different classes: Vindicator (standard warrior with limited magic abilities), Alchitect (mage with some melee ability), Gunslinger (ranged attacks) and the Savage (monk-like physical abilities and lesser capabilities across the chart). There is limited customization for those of us change-happy players, and you're left with only minor changes at your disposal, like changing the Vindicator's leopard-like spots or armor color. The varying competencies between character classes offer little optimization either, and that extends to the game's mechanics as well.

A single-player campaign mode is available, but it's clear developer n-Space (the Call of Duty games on the DS) had its heart set on prospective buyers playing with friends - so it's painfully obvious through this dungeon crawler it's biased toward multiplayer parties. Whether you choose to play solo or you can actually gather a group, the routine is the same: spawn in the hub world Nexus, where all your future business will be conducted. It's clear this village is devoid of any purpose beyond existing as a main port of call for players to find new quests, complete trades, or interact with NPCs. There simply isn't much else to do there. Luckily, it's off to gallivant through various dungeons to really get the wheels turning.

Most quests consist of fetching items, felling more difficult monsters, and going along with the same old tired grind you've likely completed so many times before across every action-RPG you've torn into as a gamer. Mindlessly hacking and slashing through each bland dungeon feels less like a challenge, and more like a routine chore -- especially when you consider just how simple it actually becomes once you've become better accustomed to it - gold, treasures, and plenty of exciting loot is dropped at an exponential rate, and it's easy to see how a full party could breeze through the game in a mere couple of hours.

It's a shame Heroes of Ruin is so methodical and mechanical then in execution, because with a push in the right direction (less samey grinding, lazy graphics, and a different tale that subverts "typical" fantasy lore) it could blossom into a worthy single and multiplayer affair. And multiplayer is solid already. Though I had only one local friend with the game to quest with, an additional adventurer did make things feel considerably less tedious. Smooth drop-in and drop-out co-op felt excellent, and the inclusion of voice chat for online affairs is certainly a boon for those wanting to take the show on the road. It's clear the entire framework of the game was built specifically for this, and it's great to see a firm direction being taken by the developer, but not when things are done in such a predictable manner.

In its current state Heroes of Ruin is a decent enough adventure. It's not great, though, and that's where most of its more pressing problems lie. The game wants to be so much, but does so little to distinguish itself from the rest of the well-established pack that's been here and back countless times. It's playable and even quite fun in short bursts - especially if you need another new action-RPG to go to in your 3DS library, but as far as the killer app many have speculated it could be, it falls quite far from the mark. Give it a try if you're going to have a weekend with friends, but seek out heartier console or PC options for a more robust adventuring experience.