For when you just have to hear a little something from Final Fantasy or Xenogears Square-Enix has just the answer for you! They've just begun a service called Square Enix Audio, a free streaming radio channel which you can access from your PC or Android smart phone. Simply select the game you wish to hear music from, and sit back and relax (or go for a run, or whatever it is you do when listening to Square-Enix music).

At this time there isn't that wide a selection of games to choose from, but that will improve with time.

You can access the site here.

Which soundtrack will you stream first?

Source: Square-Enix (via Kotaku) ...

The seemingly Final Fantasy-esque Bravely Default: Flying Fairy for the 3DS just keeps getting more Final Fantasy-y with each new piece of news. A new set of details exemplifies this.

The game is said to feature four elemental crystals, the first of which is the Wind Crystal. This crystal becomes covered in darkness which stops the winds, causing havoc in the windmill-dependent country in which the crystal resides. This also leads to other disasters such as shipwrecks. For those familiar with Final Fantasy III and the first Final Fantasy, the familiar-sounding plot and the notion that it begins in a land utilizing a Wind Crystal should come as no surprise.

What is also unsurprising is that this very retro Final Fantasy-like game is directed by Takashi Tokita who was instrumental behind other throwbacks to Final Fantasy's yesteryears. He is the one behind Final Fantasy: 4 Heroes of Light, Final Fantasy IV: The After Years and the DS remake of Final Fantasy IV.

Some other interesting details ...

Google unleashed a "new product" today, just in time for the holiday: "Google Maps for NES."

That's right: just in case you wanted to plot a course to that resteraunt you like but aren't near your computer or smart phone... and happen to have your NES up and ready to go, you can now do so via a cartridge whose programming looks more than a bit familiar.

Clearly there are some Dragon Quest fans over at Google who meticulously recreated the menus and quirks from the beloved series for this very special Google product.

View the video below!



Source: YouTube (via GoNintendo) ...

Among the titles published by Square-Enix, NieR doesn't seem to have quite as good a reputation as its peers. One area that NieR can proudly stand alongside them in, however, is its music. Square-Enix seems to agree: while the studio that created NieR closed in 2010, they have released two different soundtracks in the last seven months alone. September saw a 'tribute' album comprised of mostly electronic arrangements of the soundtrack by famous Japanese DJs. Last week, Square-Enix released Piano Collections NieR Gestalt & Replicant.

If you head over to the official Japanese site and click on 'Tracklist', you can sample the tunes included. Unlike the tribute album (which you can also sample on its site), these songs are all arranged and mostly performed by the people who created them for the game originally. Definitely give it a listen, even if you've never touched the games.If you're interested in what a couple of your more recognizable Squenix-related composers have been up to recently: ...

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! ...

If you haven't already bought the classic Final Fantasy titles on PSN yet, now's your chance! Every year, PSN has special offers and discounts each week for three weeks that they call Spring Fever. This week they are offering the classic FFs with large discounts! It even has the PSP's Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection! Some people may have missed grabbing that one last year. If you don't have these already on your PS3 or PSP, now would be the perfect opportunity to pick them up! Check out the discounts! DISCOUNTS! Who doesn't love a good deal?


All deals are 30% off but for Playstation Plus members, you'll be able to get things 50% off!

Final Fantasy IX
Final Fantasy Origins
Final Fantasy Tactics
Final Fantasy V
Final Fantasy VI
Final Fantasy VII
Final Fantasy VIII
DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY
Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions

Purchase them at their discounted prices soon before the sales go poof! ...

With Heroes of Ruin, Square-Enix’s latest action-RPG for the 3DS, coming out late next week, the hype is building up. Last week saw the release of a new customization trailer, and just today the Heroes of Ruin website announced a giveaway for an Astro Gaming headset.




In case you missed it, you definitely need to check out the previous trailer. The story seems fairly simple: the game takes place in the world of Veil, where a Lord is stricken by a curse. You play one of four mercenaries, each with their own strengths and style of fighting, who undergo a quest to save the kingdom. In order to do so, you must explore a dynamic world full of magic, build your skills, and battle monsters. The trailers and screenshots show a number of diverse environments to traverse and creatures to fight.




The gameplay is a major draw, especially for multiplayer. Heroes of Ruin allows you drop in-and-out of others’ games over Wifi or online, with up to four players per game. Additionally, the developer has promised daily DLC in the form of new gameplay challenges and quests. How much the DLC will add to the game is still an open question, but really, what more could you ask for post-release? ...

Since Square-Enix acquired Eidos a couple of years ago, it has developed reboots to several old titles that were widely popular a decade ago, from Deus Ex to the upcoming Tomb Raider reboot. Now, there’s a rumor going around that the next major reboot will be Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, an action-adventure series that started in the mid-90s on the Playstation.

The Legacy of Kain series was most known for its dark atmosphere and story-telling, highlighted by its anti-hero protagonists. It was widely regarded as a successful and enjoyable series, so a reboot would not be terribly shocking. Look for further information to come out later this year (possibly at E3), and – for fans of the series – keep your fingers crossed.

Additionally, some of the original series has been rereleased on the PSN, so those who have never played the games before should definitely try them out! ...

Tetsuya Nomura, director of the Square Enix-Disney collaboration that is the Kingdom Hearts series announced that the upcoming instalment Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will reveal many truths about the series.

Nomura teased fans in his interview with Famitsu magazine, discussing key characters and alluding to events that wrap up the plotline of this story arc. Additionally, Nomura mentioned that KH3D will have the longest cutscene of the series.

“If I had to say who the key persons were, I’d say they are the silver haired boy and Axel,” Nomura said. “This time at the end of the story, there will be the longest cutscene of the whole series where the true form of Ansem and Xemnas, as well as their goals and many other truths will be revealed all at once.”

With the Xehanort Cycle completed, Square Enix will perhaps finally get around to Kingdom Hearts 3. KH3D is shaping up to be an impressive instalment, with the introduction of two new features: Ability Link and Dream Eater.

Nomura ...

Look at that cute face! How can you not squee about that? 3D Sora! COME ON! It's to be released in only 11 days in Japan and we haven't been squeeing! I am ashamed!



Famitsu just released a bunch of screens and info about Kingdom Hearts: [Dream Drop Distance]. Even loved to mention a new mini game in it. It seems reminiscent of CoM, in my opinion. It's called Flick Rush! You pick three Dream Eaters and then go head to head with your opponent over a local wireless connection. You then use cards to make your moves. It makes an arena type battle by the looks of it. When you win, you get medals which will allow you to get recipes and new commands.




There's soooo much info!

• There will be about 50 dream eaters you can "catch" to work with you. That's not including the bosses. Dream eaters of course, are the new enemy.They are either Spirits or Nightmares.
• Treat your Dream Eaters right and they will grow, treat them badly and they well... wont.
• Your fighting style changes based on what Dream Eaters you use.
• You can name them! (Sqaure enix is just filling my fangirl need to customize cute things.

...

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. ...