Vanguard: Saga of Heroes hits retail shelves today, January 30th.

Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) and Sigil Games Online announced today that the hotly anticipated massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes™, is now available at retail outlets across North America and Europe. The game is also offered for digital download at www.station.com.

"From day one Vanguard was created with the vision of developing an MMO with an unparalleled feeling of immersion," said Brad McQuaid, CEO of Sigil Games Online. "To accomplish this, we included innovative features that break the shackles of the traditional MMO experience. Our diplomacy system, for example, is one of many original concepts we employed to invigorate the MMO game play experience."

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes features stunning environments reminiscent of classic fantasy oil paintings, as well as three fully-developed layers of gameplay (diplomacy, adventuring and crafting), along with a comprehensive character creation tool. Three vast continents are available for exploration, and players will enjoy a fully immersive experience as they delve into new lands riddled with powerful items, dangerous enemies and boundless adventure. As players reach higher levels, they can traverse the world freely on flying dragons, voyaging across far-reaching lands in a breathtaking, non-instanced world.

"Vanguard's beauty coupled with the sheer size and scale of the world is like nothing else experienced in today's games. It's poised to make a significant contribution to the genre, which is one of many reasons SOE is looking forward to adding this exciting title to our line up of games included in the all-in-one Station Access™ subscription package," Laura Naviaux, Sr. Brand Manager, Sony Online Entertainment.

Rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB, the game is available for the suggested retail price of US $49.99. The limited edition version with unique content for collectors is also available for a suggested retail price of $89.99. The North American subscription fee for Vanguard: Saga of Heroes is $14.99 a month, with discounts offered for longer subscription commitments. For players who purchase Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and have an SOE Station Access subscription, the subscription to Vanguard: Saga of Heroes will be included in the $24.99 monthly fee. Vanguard: Saga of Heroes has also been added to SOE's universal game card available at retail in 30- and 90-day subscription periods.

About Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

The only limits are your own in Telon. The adventurous can choose from multiple paths of exploration within the three spheres of advancement: adventuring, crafting, and diplomacy. Players can delve into the mysteries of Telon, and embark upon quests to slay monstrous beasts locked deep inside rugged mountain ranges. Those with a quick mind can use diplomacy to convince kings to move armies and change the course of history. With player-crafted boats, flying mounts, and customizable player housing, Vanguard offers players a world of their own choosing.

Key Features of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes:

No boundaries: Explore an epic, seamless world. From the smallest dungeon to the highest peak. If it can be seen it can be explored.

Limitless customization: In a world of thousands, carve your own unique destiny and appearance with an unparalleled character creator and by choosing one of 19 different races from Orcs and Goblins to Dwarves and Elves.

Forge your own path: Choose from one of 15 exciting professions including Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Psionicist, Bard and Rogue.

Immersive and interactive: Vanguard's unique, dynamic, reactive, combat system allows you to build chains of special attacks and reactions with Openers, Bridges and powerful Finishing moves.

Ride or sail around the world: With dozens of unique mounts to collect, you can race into battle on your warhorse, command the skies on the back of your dragon or join friends and embark on a sea-based adventure to discover faraway lands.

Play your way: Advance your character as an adventurer, set up your own shop as a crafter, talk your way to the top as a diplomat or do all three with the same character.

Open Market: Collect essential materials and use skills such as blacksmithing and artificing to create valuable and powerful items as well as ships and housing.

Home for sale: Make Telon feel like home by staking your claim on a piece of land and furnishing your own house with unique items.

Read more here.