It seems as though Square Enix has been hanging around with Sony too much and believes their online store has been hacked. Attempting to reach any one of their online stores brings up a notice which explains the concerns.


The statement from SE says that the company is investigating the matter to see if any personal data was compromised. Apparently the concern is mostly over the US side of things. The hacked server contains non-financial data like names, mailing addresses and phone numbers, but didn't have contain credit card info. Keep tabs on your credit cards anyway is SE's advice.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the suspension of the Square Enix Online Shop,” the company stated. “We take data security extremely seriously and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused our customers and fans. ...

Square Enix continues their portable push with another iOS (and this time Android too!) game called Demons' Score. You might have guessed from the title that it is heavily based on music - in fact, it's quite a hectic looking rhythm game with a decent amount of action. Square Enix have released the opening video and a little tutorial video. Don't try and tap your computer screen though, I already tried it and it doesn't work!

We're being treated to quite a show here. For arguably such a minor game, Square Enix have assembled an impressive team. The composers - who are really the most important feature of a musical kind of game - include Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts), Keiichi Okabe (Nier/Tekken), ZUNTATA (Groove Coaster), Naoshi Mizuta (Final Fantasy XI), Ryo Yamazaki (Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers), and Kohei Tanaka (Sakura Wars), with more rumoured to be on the way. Not bad at all, I must say! If you're a fan of games like Elite Beat Agents then this might just be up your ...

Further details on the 3DS title have been revelead with a neat little feature that sees you repopulating a ruined city by working with other players. It's not quite a Sim City styled mini-game, but this feature will add another level of value to the Street Pass system, which encourages players to play together.

Still no word on a Western release, and Nintendo sadly confirmed that Bravely Default: Flying Fairy won't be playable at TGS, but another demo is supposedly on its way with the full title set to be released on October 11 in Japan. In the meantime, enjoy this swanky cover art and a trailer.

Source: Pocket Gamer ...

Yoshi P and the gang did a live steam information session dubbed the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary: FINAL FANTASY XIV Special Talk Session, giving players a chance to learn a little more about the upcoming Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. The hour-long clip is on Youtube already - and will be shown at the bottom of the article - but for the time poor, some of the major points will be summarised here for you!


Lead Battle Designer Akihiko Matsui wanted to remind everyone that A Realm Reborn was being rebuilt from the ground up - including the battle system. "It's completely different from the current system," he said. The changes in battle will mostly relate to TP and timers, however. In the current version of FFXIV, TP builds up by hitting things with the standard attack. But in A Realm Reborn, TP will function more like MP - characters will have a full bar at the start of a fight with it being depleted as the battle wears on. Abilities will still have similar timers to the current system, but spells (which use MP) and weaponskills (which use TP) will have ...

The line up for Square Enix's Tokyo Game Show booth has been revealed. Being on home soil, TGS is a great chance for Square Enix to showcase all of its big and exciting projects. It's a quality line up, but there's quite a few games listed as Japan-only; hopefully these games make it out of there one day soon!

A blog on SE Europe's official site lists the announced exhibits, with Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Dragon Quest X among the most notable. FFXIV: A Realm Reborn in particular looks very promising, with recent showings at PAX demonstrating cool new features like Limit Breaks. They're even scouting for Alpha Testers!

Square Enix's other brand-spanking-new MMORPG, Dragon Quest X, which was released recently for Wii has also been confirmed for Wii U. There will no doubt be quite a bit of new information on this one at TGS, but DQX is ...

The Final Fantasy series is usually generous when it comes to gifting the player transport. The original alone offered three different modes – four if you count walking – including your own pirate ship, a canoe and an airship. The airship has been a mainstay of the Final Fantasy series, becoming an icon in its own right and one of the few linking points of commonality between all games in the series.

The origins of these airships are often plot points of their own, but often relate to another of the series’ icons – Cid. The various Cids throughout the series are (generally) mechanically savvy, having built the airship himself, or at the very least helping to upgrade or fix it for the party. Despite the frequent medieval settings, the airships are often far more advanced than general society would seem capable of producing. Even in the games with a more science fiction oriented setting, the airships still manage to retain some level of awe.

On occasion, the party’s own airship doesn’t dominate the airways. The Red Wings, from Final Fantasy IV, are a fully equipped fleet of airships – Baron’s very own air force. The skies of Final Fantasy IX are populated by all manner of airships, both civilian and military alike.

If it’s aeronautical adventure you seek, then the Final Fantasy series is sure to have a vehicle for you. Let’s take a look at ten innovative, impressive or just plain insane airships (and other flying machines!) in the Final Fantasy series. Keep in mind that there will be spoilers aplenty here, so watch out!

The Lindblum (XIII)
Beginning with the most recent entry, this airship belongs to the Guardian Corps and serves as their HQ and home, as well as a dock for other, smaller craft. The outer “wings” can extend, which is – although unnecessary and gaudy – rather awesome. ...

Seems like a couple of talented guys decided to put their minds together and see what they could produce. Guild 01 is the result.

Guild01 is a collaboration between 4 different game designers who are making 4 different games under one label. This includes Japanese comedy duo America Zarigani and respected game designers Yasumi Matsuno (FF Tactics, FFXII), Suda51 (No More Heroes) and Yoot Saito (Seaman). Check out the 30 second trailer to have a glimpse of this 4-in-1 package.


This package actually has several ties to Square Enix without them being directly involved. Most obviously is the involvement of Matsuno. If you've ever played any of his games, I'm sure you'll be able to recognize his work at the end of the trailer. A looser connection level is the game 'Rental Weapon shop', which is reminiscent of Dragon Quest 4's playable weapons dealer Torneko Taloon.

On a grander scale, this production is being put together by game company Level 5--which was basically launched into ...

It’s a simple fact of life that everybody has, at some point, had parents. Even immaculate conception along the lines of Jesus Christ and Anakin Skywalker needs at least one parent. Some people have adoptive parents. Parents are everywhere. So too are parents present in the Final Fantasy series. Most of the time. While it seems a sad trait that the main parties are usually orphans of one kind or another, there are some NPCs who are parents, some main characters who fortuitously retain their parents, and some who even are parents themselves. In a toast to the people who raised us, let’s look at the parents throughout Final Fantasy and the impacts they have had! Watch out for spoilers, kids.

Final Fantasy
The original Final Fantasy was light on plot and character development, there’s no denying. However, this was the first instance of a character having both parents alive. Princess Sarah, of Cornelia, was kidnapped by the wicked Garland. Her father who is aptly named King of Cornelia, tasks the Light Warriors with rescuing his daughter and defeating the evil knight. Queen Jane, who resides elsewhere in the castle, appears rather distraught at her daughter’s disappearance. You can always be sure that your parents are missing you when you’re kidnapped by an evil knight, I guess.

Final Fantasy II
The main party of Final Fantasy II are all presumed orphans, their parents killed by the Palamecian Empire in the raid on Fynn. However, Final Fantasy II is also the first instance of a party member being a parent! Josef, of Salamand, joins the party as they search for the Goddess’s Bell. Sadly, when exiting the Snow Cavern with the bell, the party is ambushed and Josef sacrifices himself to save them.

In another sad moment, the King of Fynn, father to Princess Hilda, leader of the Wild Rose Rebellion, passes away from the injuries he received in the raid on Fynn. Lastly, there is an NPC named Elina, who resides in Castle Deist. Her son is Kain, whose name would later become synonymous with dragoons. Little wonder, since his late father, Phillip, was a dragoon and his almost-step-father-until-he-too-died, Ricard, was also a dragoon. Happy families is not what Final Fantasy is all about, it seems.

Final Fantasy III
There are many more biological parents present in Final Fantasy III than the previous games in the series. The kings of both Sasune and Saronia are alive – at one point. King Gorn of Saronia is mind-controlled by Gilgamesh into attacking his son, but he resists, stabbing himself. On his death bed, he begs forgiveness for all the things he did whilst under Gilgamesh’s power. Sad stuff! Takka, in the DS remake, is the adopted father of Refia.

Cid Haze, and his wife Mrs Cid, are the pseudo-adoptive parents of the main party – the onion kids. After Cid and the four children survived an airship crash ten years prior, he and Mrs Cid looked after them until they found other families. Though Mrs Cid falls ill during the course of the game, the party heals her right up with an elixir. Phew!

Final Fantasy IV
Thanks to Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, we have an abundance of parents. That’s something to celebrate, I think! Our first parent is Tellah, most famous for his line “You spoony bard!” Sadly, his daughter Anna dies in the attack on Damcyan, which then prompts the famous line. However, in a valiant sacrifice, Tellah casts the ...

In the late 13^th century and early 14^th century there was a particular Japanese man who went by the name Masamune. He was particularly renowned as the best sword smith ever to live, and created many masterful pieces of work. Masamune’s skill was legendary – literally – and so it is no surprise that his name entered Japanese folklore. Being a series native to the land of the rising sun and so heavily based on mythos from around the world, it is little wonder that every Final Fantasy game to date references the legendary sword smith, attaching his name to the most powerful of swords.

There is one particular legend regarding Masamune and his student, Muramasa. Muramasa was a fine sword smith, and thought himself comparable to his master, so he challenged Masamune to see which of them could make the ultimate sword. They worked tirelessly and once they were complete, it was time to begin the test.

To test which sword was greater, the two men would suspend their blades with the sharp edge facing the current. Muramasa's sword, the Juuchi Yosamu, sliced everything that flowed towards it; fish, leaves floating down the river, the very air which blew on it. Masamune was impressed with his student’s ...

Square Enix has put out a press release announcing the start of a Steam sale which will see 50% off all Square Enix games and DLC, and up to 75% off certain products. The promotion will run until the 25th of March, meaning you should stop reading and head over there right now!

In addition to the Final Fantasy series and other Square Enix published titles, you can also pick up a bundle pack with 15 games, including Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Tomb Raider: Legend, Just Cause 2, Thief: Deadly Shadows and Hitman: Blood Money for one low price. Time to take advantage of Square Enix's generosity and pick up all those titles you might have missed!

Keep an eye out for the daily 75% off deals during the next few days, and make sure you don't miss out on these great savings. Between this Steam sale and the PSN Spring Fever sale, there's no reason to pay full price for your favourite Square Enix games! ...

Dance Dance Revolution
The dancers in Final Fantasy have moves much better than that sweaty kid down at your local arcade. They do share one thing in common though; when they dance, lights flash, things beep and magic happens. The dancers of Final Fantasy started out in Cornelia, with that one dancing girl who knows an unreasonable amount of information on where your quest is taking you. The only type of dancers I can think of who would be privy to that much information are… Nevermind, let’s look at our performers!


The Warriors of Light (V)
The Warriors of Light return for our first glimpse of the dancer as a playable class in Final Fantasy. Their special ability, Dance, picks one of four random dances, each with varying effects ranging from confusing enemies to dealing four times normal physical damage. By equipping certain items, the player can raise the chance of using the Sword Dance, which damages the enemy for four times normal damage, making the dancer a powerhouse. By equipping the Dancer’s Dagger with a non-dancer character, that character’s attack move will instead change to Dance, meaning you can reduce the weaknesses of the class whilst retaining the benefits.


Mog (VI)
Mog the moogle from Final Fantasy VI is a combination of a dancer and a geomancer. His eight dances are all elemental based, and once started, Mog will dance continually until the battle is over, performing one of four different attacks dependant on the dance. Mog’s role in Final Fantasy VI is minor, being an optional character except for his one appearance early on, along with the other moogles. His love of dance is evident in his SNES introduction: “Human-loving, fast-talking, street-smart, SLAM-dancing... ...

Song and dance are powerful tools. They can be used to express oneself, used to protest, used as a social activity and used as a career. And, where Final Fantasy is concerned, can be very versatile and valuable weapons. Today we look at the power of song and dance, tools used by Bards and Dancers to combat foes, enhance their allies’ strength and ultimately have a cracking good time while doing so. Let’s take a look at these underrated classes, and some of the characters who embody the power and passion of a performance. Let’s start with the humble bard, shall we?

Sing Me A Song, Piano Man
Bards are probably best known as the folk who sing tales of heroes and dragons and all sorts of fantastic legends. That’s true enough, but the bards of Final Fantasy do more than just tell tales; they live them. We have a broad line-up, so let’s jump straight into it!

The Onion Kids (III)
The original bards, the Onion Kids of Final Fantasy III receive the bard job from the Water Crystal. In the NES version of the game, the bard class is used purely to provide buffs to the party. However, in the DS remake, the bards can also damage enemies by using their Sing command, which changes depending on the harp equipped. In addition to harps, bards can also equip knives, though this limits the effectiveness of their Sing command.

Edward Chris von Muir (IV)
While the origins of the bard class lie with the Onion Kids of Final Fantasy III, this is perhaps the first sight that western audiences received of the bard class. Edward, also known as Gilbert and Gilbart in some lands, is the crown prince of Damcyan. As such, he ...

Square Enix has announced another batch of additional songs for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, including the battle theme from the still Japan-only Final Fantasy Type 0. This is the first non-main series track to make it into the game, opening up the potential for numerous underrated soundtracks to make it in further DLCs.

It seems like a good time to live in the land of the rising sun, with numerous Square Enix goodies hitting their shores before anywhere else. For Theatrhythm in particular, Square Enix plans to have extra DLC tracks available every two or three weeks until - presumably - they run out of music.



The four DLC tracks span the entire series, including both the original Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy XIII, giving fans plenty of variety. Few are bound to disappoint; the Final Fantasy series has maintained a high level of quality in the soundtracks.

Final Fantasy - Matoya no Dokutsu (Field Music)

Final Fantasy III - Battle 1 (Battle Music)

Final Fantasy XIII - Arukakiiruti Dai Hirahara (Field Music)
...

Square Enix has released screenshots of its upcoming 3DS game Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, showcasing the magnificent art style. Looking at these screens, one cannot help but be reminded of concept art. The direction seems to be a mash up of Odin Sphere and the Tales series, with a quriky Square Enix style thrown in.


Last week a demo hit the Japanese Nintendo eShop, but there is still no word yet on when a demo - or the game itself - will find its way outside of Japan and onto our shores.


With an all-star team behind the wheel, it's easy to see why that seed of excitement is taking root. Takashi Tokita (Parasite Eve and Chrono Trigger) is directing the project, supported by producer Tomoya Asano (remakes of FFIII and FFIV, Grandia Extreme) and lead art directer/character designer Akihiko Yoshida (FFTactics, Vagrant Story). With a combination of influences from popular Square Enix titles, Bravely Default is shaping up to be an impressive title.

Thanks to an interview with Tomoya Asano on Japanese gaming site Inside Games, some small details about Bravely Default have been revealed. ...