Announced just a short while ago by developer Octopi, PoxNora is one of those online web-based games that look great (relatively speaking of course), and sound even better, as the game promises to draw the best elements from trading card, tactical miniatures and fantasy RPGs to create a unique online strategy game. And now that the open beta is here, you too can sign up to test PoxNora on the game's website.

"In PoxNora, players collect Runes that allow them to summon champions, equipment, relics and spells to the battlefield. The game is played out across a variety of maps where champions do battle to collect Nora, a vital resource used to summon additional Runes into play. The construction of your battlegroup and careful use of powers and attacks are vital to success. Runes also gain experience during play that can be used to upgrade or learn new attributes and abilities, meaning that as your play style evolves, so do your Runes."

The beta will only last for a short while, as PoxNora will be launching on August 1st, for Java-enabled Internet browsers on Windows, Macintosh and Linux systems. The game is free to download, install and play, although an earlier press release from Octopi claimed that the game's online store - featuring nearly 200 Runes - will offer starter packs (with 30 random Runes) at $9.99, and boosters (with 10 random Runes) at $4.99.

No screenshots are available right now on the game's website, but we'll try to post some locally as soon as possible.

UPDATE: And here are the promissed screenshots.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)