Square-Enix have released a teaser poster for Final Fantasy XII, as well as some nice-looking screenshots from the game.

Details are sparse at the moment, but we do know that the two main characters are called 'Van' and 'Ashie'. Oddly enough, they both look a lot like Tidus and Yuna from Final Fantasy X. The characters start off in a jungle, where Van is seen riding a rather fearsome looking Dragon. According to sources, the game is based on an adventure in an airship, which sounds quite interesting.

More details will be released at the November 19th Final Fantasy XII Conference, but until then, feast your eyes on this poster. If that isn't enough to get you excited, check out these screenshots by clicking that red-hot mouse here, here, here, here, and here.

The official website for FFXII has also been updated.
Click here to view it.

[Source: The Magic Box] ...

Microsoft have released a very attractive Final Fantasy XI desktop theme for us all to download.

I quote: "For decades, gamers have embarked upon journeys through the unforgettable worlds of the Final Fantasy games. Alone, they fought heroic battles and saved the world countless times. Now these players can unite from around the world in the exploration of a new fantasy experience online in Final Fantasy XI for Windows. This Final Fantasy XI theme for Windows XP users will make it easy to immerse yourself in the fantasy today."

The desktop is only compatible with Windows XP.
You can obtain it by clicking here.

[Source: Gamespy] ...

According to Square Enix, the popular 'Final Fantasy' and 'Dragon Quest' games are being released on cell phones! 'Dragon Quest' will be a conversion of the classic SNES (Super Famicom) version of the game, and 'Final Fantasy' will be ported directly from the Wonderswan Colour version.

As of yet, there are no North American/European plans for the games, but if we know Square well enough, that will change in the near future. The two games (and possibly more in the future) will be available on cell phones using the 'iMode' and 'DoCoMo' service in Japan. No word of a possible release date yet, but we'll keep you posted.

[Source: AllRpg.com] ...

Square Enix has opened the official website for its new PS2 action RPG, Full Metal Alchemist, a game based on the popular anime and manga series. You can check out the site here.

The game will be released on December 25th in Japan. No North American/European release info has been given. For those who can't read Japanese and want more info, you can check out Gamespot's info pages on the game here.

[Source: RPGFan] ...

Square Enix is making its first action figure offering since the two companies merged.

At the end of March 2004, Square will release "Final Fantasy Trading Arts: Vol 1". This batch of action figures will be similar to trading cards, meaning that they will come in unmarked packages and you will not know which figure a package contains until you have bought it. The first set will contain the following characters: Cloud, Sephiroth, Rinoa, Vivi, Yuna, Lulu, and one secret character.

The figures will be sold at a price of 500 yen (4.50 USD/6.00 CDN).

[Source: Gamespot] ...

As most of you are probably aware, Final Fantasy X-2 will be released in North America on November 18th, 2003; European fans will have to wait a little longer though as the game will not come out for them until February 26th, 2004. For those of you with the ability to play import games (or who live in Japan), FFX-2 International + Last Mission will be released in Japan on February 19th, 2004.

Fans of FFX-2 will also want to pick up the latest issue of Official Playstation Magazine, which contains a playable demo and some video extras, including FFX: Another Story in English.

[Sources: RPGFan, FFX2.net, OPM] ...

With the grand release of the long awaited 'Final Fantasy X-2' approaching us like a runaway freight train, we here at Eyes on Final Fantasy decided to give you a few tasters of what the game is going to be like.

- Reviews

Various online gaming sites have given FF X-2 very positive reviews, desribing the game as 'A heavy cocktail of adrenaline, funkiness and fun' - amongst other things. Of course, there are the obligatory bad reviews from the clueless non-Final Fantasy fan, but that's to be expected. The general consensus is that the fans will love it. See for yourself here, here, and here.

- Music

And, for you Square music loving fans, there's plenty of new soundtracks for you to purchase. As well as the outstanding single 'Come with Me' from J-Pop icon Kouda Kumi, Square have released numerous vocal compilations based on the three lead female characters of FFX-2: Rikku, Paine and of course, the lovely Yuna. These vocal soundtracks also come with a DVD which contains interviews and movies from the game. These CDs are available now from your 'usual' online Game Music stores.

- Official Website

The official USA website for X-2 has also been launched, and it's well worth ...

The FF1 section has had a large revamp, many thanks to Dr Unne who donated a huge amount of pages and images. The new pages, which go over the previous pages which Dr Unne had donated (he's a generous chap), include the following changes: