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Crisis Core gets 'additional gameplay challenges'
Siliconera wisely discovered a key phrase in a recent Square Enix press release. Europe's upcoming Limited Edition version of Crisis Core (pictured, above) will feature "additional gameplay challenges not included in the original Japanese version." Apparently, this includes a new "hard" mode not found in the Japanese release. The curious wording makes it seem likely (although unconfirmed) that the US release of the game will feature the same content. Of course, we don't particularly care about having a more difficult game -- we just really want that sweet new packaging!
Rumor: Special edition Crisis Core in Europe [Updated]
Eurogamer is reporting that a special edition of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core might be on the way to Europe, or at least to the UK. Although Square Enix has yet to officially confirm it, UK retailers such as Gamestation have already begun hosting details about the special ed on their websites. Called the "Special Pre-order Edition," it will come in nice slipcase packaging, and will also included a 48-page hardbound art book. The special ed is available only when the game is pre-ordered at regular price; so there's no multiple pricing schemes going on -- just reservations. If this does indeed prove to be true, it seems like an enticing little incentive for Europeans not to purchase the North American version soon to release in less than two weeks. Especially since NA has a fixed date and Europe has a vague spring release, we suppose Square Enix needs something extra to keep crafty Euros from importing. Well, an art book and slipcase sure do beat our UMD cases. [Update: You can now see the special edition on the official Crisis Core website. Nice.]
Square Enix lawyers on guard against Final Fantasy replica swords
As we discovered during our trip to Japan's Square Enix store last year, the many worlds of Final Fantasy are pockmarked by some surprisingly deep merchandise mines. No matter what the item -- t-shirts, mugs, jewelery, clothing, action figures or spoons -- chances are a tenuous link can be established between it and your favorite spiky-haired moper. Replicas of the many extravagant and frequently weapons are fine too, just as long as they're approved by Square Enix. The company today announced a federal lawsuit filed in the Central District of California against "alleged infringers of Square Enix's intellectual property." Specifically, said infringers include "at least" four wholesalers of unlicensed sword replicas based on four video games and a CG movie (likely Advent Children) within the Final Fantasy franchise. "While Square Enix appreciates the enthusiasm of its fans, and values its relationship with them," said Square Enix General Counsel Yasuhiko Hasegawa, "it is also obligated to protect its intellectual property rights or risk weakening or losing the very rights that enable the company to continue to provide its fans with an exciting entertainment experience." The lawsuit has its swordid (OOF!) origins in the recent seizure of a crate full of "counterfeit" replica blades by the United States Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol. Following an investigation, Square Enix located the primary wholesalers and retailers of these "unauthorized products in the United States." We hope this turn of events will serve as a lesson to all of you looking to sell real things based on fake things.
Today's big hair video: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII CGI trailer
You only have to wait another two months or so, until March 25th, when Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII will grace the UMD trays of many a US PSP owner. Will the return trip to Midgar push PSP scales skyward, like it did in Japan? Will Zack's hair ever be truly competitive with Cloud's? Will you still cry, even though you know Aeris doesn't die this time? The above CGI clip released today won't answer any of these questions for you, we just wanted to share it with you.
Crisis Core coming to the U.S. March 25
Who's having the best day ever? Nerds. That's who. Not only was their beloved NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams the belle of the new release ball, their spirits can now truly take flight with the news that Final Fantasy VII prequel Crisis Core is coming to American PSPs on March 25th. As you may already be aware, Square Enix's action RPG follows Zack while a part of SOLDIER as he meets Cloud, Sephiroth and others. With over 710,000 copies sold in Japan, we can't wait to get our hands on it. We could try to do a better job of outlining where Crisis Core falls in a chronological sense in the FFVII mythology, but it's a little more effort than we're able to put forth on a Monday, so "before the PlayStation game" will have to suffice. Take your little brother's head out of the toilet and ask him, we're sure he'll be able to explain it to you.
Crisis Core heads stateside on March 25
Square Enix's epic Final Fantasy VII prequel is coming to the US at last! Square Enix confirmed today that the PSP exclusive will arrive on March 25th. The game follows the adventures of Zack and his life as part of SOLDIER. Along the way, he'll meet familiar faces, like Cloud, Sephiroth and more. Crisis Core has been rated T by the ESRB for Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes and Violence. Check out the official website here. [Thanks, Joe!] %Gallery-6657%
Japanese hardware sales, Sept. 17 - Sept. 23: Crisis edition
It is with trembling hands and an overwhelming sense of insecurity (more so than usual) that we bring you this week's Japanese sales charts. It's as if someone flipped our world upside down, yanked the carpet off our heads and welcomed us to a zone where doors float in space and wild fantasies become startling truth. What hath Square Enix and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII wrought? - PSP: 277,794 182,307 (190.92%) - DS Lite: 70,523 9,451 (11.82%) - Wii: 24,992 1,189 (4.54%) - PS2: 11,373 1,755 (13.37%) - PS3: 10,732 2,369 (18.08%) - Xbox 360: 1,687 444 (35.72%) - Game Boy Micro: 243 471 (65.97%) - GBA SP: 106 16 (13.11%) - Gamecube: 68 29 (29.90%) - GBA: 33 33 (N/A) - DS Phat: 15 -- 0 (0.00%) [Source: Media Create] See: Previous Japanese hardware sales charts
Zack boards train, people die, in new Crisis Core vid
Square Enix wants you to know that Zack is one bad guy. Bad, of course, meaning good or cool. This CG video shows Zack dropping atop a train, immediately dodging bullets and generally causing chaos and mayhem. All in good fun, of course. If the video streams a bit slowly for you, then hit pause once while its loading. Give it a few seconds of breathing room, and you should be set. [Update: For more Crisis Core goodness, check out new screens at The Magic Box.]
Famitsu scores Crisis Core: 35/40
Esteemed Japanese gaming magazine, Famitsu, has scored Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. The four reviewers gave it a 9, 9, 8 and a 9. Certainly an impressive set of numbers! Final Fantasy fans can sleep easier at night, knowing that this spin-off game isn't as disastrous as Dirge of Cerberus (which scored a low 28/40 from Famitsu). It ain't Final Fantasy XII, but we're still glad the game got reviewed as well as it did. [Via PSPHyper]
Crisis Core trailer gets extended (by two minutes)
Until Crisis Core comes out, it looks like this blog will look more like "Crisis Core Fanboy" than "PSP Fanboy." Yes, there are other games coming out as well, but Square Enix knows how to fan the flames of their devoted fans through this media deluge they seem to be offering. Yet another trailer for the game has just been been released, offering an even greater look into the gameplay. It's familiar territory, yes -- but that doesn't mean you won't watch. [Thanks, Saigon!]
Crisis Core videos showcase battle system
This may come as a surprise, but Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core actually has a battle system. Seriously. There's gameplay other than watching emotional boys talking to each other. And that's what Jeux France has managed to capture. Unlike the tradition FFVII games, the battle system is no longer turn-based. Watch these videos to see this new real-time battle system in action, complete with Materia.
It begins: Crisis Core TV ad hits Japan
What will undoubtedly be a massive media onslaught begins in Japan, as the first Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core ad hits Japan. The advertisement is not only important for Square Enix, as they promote their new game, but it is important for Sony as well. Such a hotly anticipated release will certainly generate a great deal of interest in the PSP platform, something that's going to aid Sony in the long-haul. [Thanks, J!]
Crisis Core intro shows Midgar, remixed tunes
Thought you saw everything with the last Crisis Core video, didn't you? You would be wrong -- a new video has emerged that shows off the game's intro and, as expected, we're pleased to see it's worth viewing. Accompanying the fantastic visuals is a fantastic remix of the original Final Fantasy VII opening track. Ahh, Midgar. Whether or not you're a rabid fanboy of FFVII, everyone should set their agendas aside and see this game for what it is: impressive. We're pretty excited to take it for a spin, so until we can, we'll keep covering it every step of the way.
New direct-feed shots of FFVII: Crisis Core
Do you want fresh juicy burgers? Or how about fresh direct feed screenshots of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core? Well, if it's lunch time, you probably want both. Too bad we can only help you with the latter. These crystal-clear images show off how good the game will look on your PSP screen. If you're a true Crisis-aholic, you'll download these images to your PSP and pretend that you're already playing the game. %Gallery-6657%
Final Fantasy case steals fans money
It's not easy being a Final Fantasy fan. You have to suffer through intolerable waits for the games, and pay astronomical prices for its merchandise. Take, for example, this Final Fantasy-themed case. The case, from Porter, dons a Crisis Core logo. But not only that, it has a pretty steep price tag: ,975 ($86). [Via PSPHyper]
Crisis Core trailer, now with more English
Okay, so you saw the Final Fantasy VII trailer. But don't you want to see it in English? Of course you do. Fans have taken the liberty to translate and re-release the most recent Crisis Core trailer with subtitles. Now, you can fully understand the (melo)drama of the upcoming FFVII prequel. Square fans, might as well get new underwear ready. [Via Siliconera]
Final Fantasy VII special PSPs available for pre-order
You saw the video. Now, buy the system! The special limited edition Final Fantasy VII slim PSP is now available for pre-order at Play-Asia. But it'll cost you a pretty penny: $400. You'll be paying more than double the amount for a non-Final Fantasy-engraved system. Is your fandom willing to go to the depths of your wallet?
Five minutes of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
We wanted to share this with you so badly! But, YouTube was strangely down this morning! (Horrifying, no?) Now that the interwebs are working yet again, we want to show you five glorious minutes of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. We want to warn you that there are spoilers, so those of you that don't want the experience ruined may want to shy away from this awesome, but revealing trailer. [Thanks, Jordan!]
Cloud gets emo, Zack gets shirtless in new Crisis Core scans
The men of Final Fantasy VII are sensitive men, that like to think about their feelings and emotions. They also like to take walks on the beach, write poetry on MySpace, and carry large swords. Various magazines have been promoting the impending release of Crisis Core, and in them, we see Cloud spending some time to talk to Zack. What could it be about?! Maybe to show that the entire game won't be too downtrodden, another set of scans shows a fun beach scene. Not only that, we see a glimpse of Tifa in her signature revealing outfit. We can't wait to see more of Crisis Core. When does it come out again? Oh yeah ... September 13th. Until then, we continue our painful wait. [Via http://ff7ac.hotcafe.to/ Thanks, Saigon!] Read - scan series 1 Read - scan series 2
Crisis Core pre-orders score special earbuds
Final Fantasy games are known for their moving soundtracks. It seems like Crisis Core may be no different. Pre-ordering the game in Japan will score gamers this set of sleek Crisis Core earbuds. Hardcore Final Fantasy swag collectors are already drooling over this ... and have probably already purchased five copies of the game. [Via PSPHyper]
