On May 12, game developer Atlus USA releases "Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains" for the Nintendo 3DS through Nintendo's eShopand, complete with a free 3DS theme. A third-person action game set during the first season of the manga-inspired anime, "Humanity in Chains" is the eighth "Attack on Titan" game made since the anime debuted in Japan in 2013, but the first to come to United States audiences.

Ahead of next week's big release, CBR News spoke with Atlus' Michael Manzanares, the game's project lead, about what we can expect. Manzanares happily shared with us everything you'll need to know about the game when it arrives.

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"Humanity in Chains" comes from Spike Chunsoft, a Japanese developer that previously made 2013's "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity," last year's "Fossil Fighters: Frontier," and, most importantly, 2013's "Attack on Titan: The Last Wings of Mankind." Like "Humanity in Chains," all of these were created for the 3DS. Atlus, where Manzanares works, is also a Japanese developer, best known for the "Persona" and "Shin Megami Tensei" games.

In "Humanity in Chains," you'll not only play through pivotal moments from the first season of the anime, you'll do so as multiple characters, including Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Levi and Sasha -- though it'll be important to pick just the right one. "Every character handles differently," Manzanares explained. "For instance, Eren's the only one who can transform into a Titan, while such powerful soldiers as Mikasa and Levi have an easier time performing critical hits on Titans unlike, say, Armin or Sasha, who are better in supporting roles."

In addition to playing the game as Eren and friends, you can also make your own character, or make your favorite one better. "In the campaign, which we call World Mode, you can create your own unique character, complete with voice sets, costumes, stats, abilities and equipment," Manzanares told CBR. "Every facet of your character can be upgraded. But while there are such vanity options as costumes, faces and voice sets, when adventuring out in the world, you'll need to be mindful of your personal melee strength, ranged accuracy and maneuverability, as well as your weapons and omni-directional mobility gear upgrades. And that doesn't even include upgrading your facilities in town to be the best you can be. You can even unlock voices and costumes to recreate your favorite Scout Regiment member." The game will feature audio in both English and, for purists, in Japanese with English subtitles.

As fans know, you can't take down a Titan on your own, and that goes for "Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains" as well. "Besides the World Mode, you can also tackle the Titan threat in local or online co-op modes," Manzanares notes, with the latter letting you play with up to three pals, either through local Wi-Fi or over the Internet. "All content in World Mode can be completed solo," Manzanares adds, "but it's infinitely more fun to tackle enemies with allies. Individual squads can be created, and pre-set chat options make things easier to understand in the heat of battle."

While the game takes its narrative cues from the anime, the gameplay isn't just about attacking the Titans. "You'll carry out a variety of missions, such as subduing Titans, guarding Titan Eren and even the Female Titan from other Titans, resuscitating injured comrades, or even securing provisions such as food for Sasha," Manzanares explained. "As with the anime, mission objectives are varied and take place throughout the world, such as defending the Walls, reclaiming lost districts, or even scouting beyond the city.

"You'll also have to gather intel on the mysterious Titans by recovering scout reports, as well as unlock a detailed compendium on every Titan you encounter," he continued. "There are lots of supplemental information on the various Titans not found in the anime as well."

"Attack on Titan: Humanity in Chains" will be available on the 3DS on May 12