Formally announced by Namco Bandai yesterday, Knights Contract is a brutal fantasy horror that introduces heroes Heinrich and Gretchen, who must fight their way through huge monsters and other supernatural foes using a combination of OTT melee combat and explosive, magical witchcraft.

Heinrich is an immortal executioner and Gretchen a resurrected witch, and the pair must work together to take on the game's antagonist Dr. Faust. Packing a razor sharp scythe and devastating spells, you can engage in insane, stylised combat to rid the land of the black spell of death.

Gretchen can be killed whereas Heinrich is invincible, so you'll need to  make sure your combos count to keep her safe from harm. It all sounds rather promising.

Knights Contract is due out in 2011. Check out the first 21 screenshots in the gallery.