What, indeed. New details about MMORPG installment, Final Fantasy XIV, courtesy of Famitsu, reveal the inclusion of a deity-changing system and horse-drawn transportation, among other features. Join in on the conversation with our very own forums thread on the subject.
Source: andriasang. Discussion Thread
...Solace may result for those who can not get enough of the FFXIII heroine. Lightning along with several characters from Final Fantasy VII are set to appear in the latest installment of Itadaki. The official site is also live.
In other news, several screenshots of FFXIV have been released, including what appears to be a comparison between the Alpha and Beta versions.
Source: andriasang (Itadaki, FFXIV Gallery, FFXIV Comparison), Itadaki Official Site
...FFXI is set to receive the first of three new add-ons. Vision of Abyssea, the title of the first expansion, is designed for high-level characters, and includes a level cap increase. The release will be the same time as a patch planned for June.
Source: RPGFan, Official Site
...It has been announced that the latest entry into the Kingdom Hearts series will be making its way stateside on September 7, 2010. For those who are unaware, Birth By Sleep is a prequel to the series, as evidenced by the appearance of the secret videos at the end of Kingdom Hearts II. The game alone is said to be priced at $39.99; a bundle is set to be priced at $199.99.
In other news, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada has answered the suggestions that FFXIII: Versus become multi-platform. Also included is a link to a follow-up interview with the CEO.
Source: Square Enix, Magic Box, Andriasang (FFXIII, FFXIV)
...Rejoice, (relatively) old school Final Fantasy fans. Final Fantasy IX has been confirmed as "soon to be available in the US" on the Playstation Network. Like the other re-released FF games before it, FFIX brings back the PSX generation games for those who did not have it available to them originally.
In other news, some FFXI music will also be released on vinyl record in the coming future.
...Metaphor: FFXIII has got its ups and downs in the game of life, too.
In any case, despite all of the negative press recently, including rumors that Square Enix forged screenshots or accusations that the game is too linear, there is hope for the flagship game yet. Some people are still fascinated by the sheer awesomeness that the game represents, and for at least one person, that's enough to keep his interest on the high end.
Of particular interest to may also be what are high marks for the game's soundtrack. A review may be found in the source.
And at last, there's also two videos: the first is a commercial clip for the 360 Bundle that aired during the NBA All-Star game, with little doubt that Microsoft had no small hand in getting it there; the second is a video preview of the recently-announced FFI and FFII iPhone/iPod Touch re-releases.
Source: IGN, RPGFan (OST Review), FFXIII.net, RPGFan (FFI/FFII), YouTube (Bundle, FFI/FFII)
...In tune with all of the expectation for the North American FFXIII release, Square Enix has announced the existence of two sweepstakes: the first, regarding the previously mentioned 360 Bundle, and the second is an invitation to the FFXIII Launch party (21+). Get 'em while they're hot!
Source: Square Enix
...In certain polite regions of the world, one would focus more on the fact that Microsoft recently announced that there will be a gaming bundle for FFXIII, including a copy of said game, a new console, and controllers, retailing at a cost of about $400.
In other news, the price of the game alone, despite all hype and manner of Famitsu reviews, has dropped considerably since the first week. It is nothing out of the ordinary for a game to drop in price, but this one seems a bit much, especially for such a high-profile game. Before, one could simply claim that it was the flooding of product that caused a drop in secondhand retailers, but now that the store-approved price is less than half of where it started, it may be time for SE to re-evaluate the situation. The price has gone from 9240 Yen to 3980 Yen (nearly a third of the original price) in a manner of a month and a half.
Source: 360 Bundle (FFXIII.net, MS PR Newswire), Price Drop (Sankaku, NSFW; Article 1, Article 2, Article 3)
...It would appear that previous reports of the XBox360 port of FFXIII being inferior to the PS3 version have not been exaggerated. In what is not surprise to many, the Xbox360 port has noticeably poorer graphics than its PS3 counterpart. But, one could guess that this is the price of non-exclusivity?
In other news, there is yet another review of FFXIII that has been made available to the people, only this time, it's meant for the Norwegians. A translation of the bonus interview that accompanied it may be found in the link.
And at last, for those with an investment in PlayOnline resources (XI and future XIV players), there is a feedback survey. If it affects you, it may be a good idea to invest some time.
Source: Sankaku (NSFW), FFXIII.net, Square Enix
...Speaking of (star-crossed) products, the FFXIII Ultimania has been released for market consumption. To those not fully aware, the Ultimania is essentially a developer's guide book to a Final Fantasy game, regarding every single possible detail about the game and its development that it was written for, right down to the Word of God. In this case, the revelation is that FFXIII did not include towns due to the technological restrictions of its development.
While ordinarily, this is a sign that people are lazy, it can be noted that other PS3 and XBox360 games are full of "towns." Perhaps this may be the warning of deeper problems than simply "poor direction." However, FFXIII has come a long way since its PS2 inception: evidence of what even greater cel-shaded tragedy could have resulted can be seen in these screenshots.
Source: Sankaku (NSFW), FFXIII.net
...Featured are images of detailed model figures of two FFXIII summons, Shiva and Odin. They look really cool. They're also the feature of two Michael Bay films.
In other news, there are still no plans for a FFVII remake. Please, continue to cry tears of emo lamentation. Are there people still more concerned with a remake over the newest Final Fantasy game?
There comes that certain time in a man's life where he just decides to do something. Anything. For some people, that often comes at least once a day. In such a case, we can only hope that he does not decide to draw a cartoon depicting FFXIII characters in a comical fashion for a gaming magazine, and then have the parodied company flip out.
In other news, more scans of reviews for FFXIII have come out, featured below. It should also be noted, that a preview image was obtained featuring the EU Collector's Edition.
And for those of you who don't care about the new games, there are rumors and images of FFI and FFII coming to the iPod Touch and the iPhone. I heard there's an app for that.
In predictable market fashion, a news outlet has finally gotten its grimy little hands on a copy of Final Fantasy XIII, the newest main-series installment. As any paper-based media would require, there are scans of the review and the news feature.
In other news, FFXIII composer Masashi Hamauzu has announced that he is leaving. This follows the pattern of the departures of several others in the SE music department. What will happen, only time will tell.
Finally, it is also worth noting that FFVIII will be coming to the European Union's Playstation Network. Enjoy your polygons.
Ohh, and uhh, enjoy this old FFXIII: International trailer. Apparently, the game was made more lightweight for a reason other than broken promises. It was the money!
Source: FFXIII.net, FFUnion (Composer, FFVIII), Magic Box
...Square Enix in all of its marketing scheme glory has decided to announce a bus tour on the West Coast of the States. This provides the unique opportunity for people who can't read Japanese to play the game for themselves in a language that they might understand.
Perhaps this may provide hope to those who have already decidedly written off the game as any number of things, including too linear, too much of a movie, full of bugs, and the worst installment ever. Despite all of the negativity surrounding the game (and any certain interviews that may signal a severe change in the company's business model), no game has ever been met without as least some criticism. For those of you with minds that have independent thoughts, one can only wait until the game is in your hands; for those of you who don't make up your own minds and listen exclusively to others, you may feel free to receive the pile of sticks that you already expected.
And for those of you who don't care about Final Fantasy, enjoy the game's introduction video to Birth By Sleep.
Source: Square ...
EoFF on Twitter
Today's Poll Square Enix on Twitter
