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Watch these Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII trailers while you still can
Oh, you still haven't seen the latest trailers for Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII? Man, we thought everyone had seen those old things by now. We guess you weren't hip enough to get into Square Enix's "Closed Theater" at the Tokyo Game Show earlier this year. Well, no worries -- said trailers were recently released on the Re: Final Fantasy XIII DVD and, following Newton's Fourth Law of Gaming Media Distribution, were unceremoniously ripped off their discs and launched into the internet. For as long as they remain unmoderated, we've got both posted after the break. Just make sure you're wearing appropriate protective eyewear, as many of you may find them eye-meltingly gorgeous.
Ready, Set, Squint: Really small Final Fantasy Versus XIII gameplay screens
As it has come to be with any Final Fantasy game, all we've witnessed of Final Fantasy Versus XIII thus far has been CGI footage in trailer format. While we're definitely a long ways off from actual game footage, Square-Enix's CLOUD Message book does contain some teeny-tiny, itsy-bitsy in-game screens.As our Home boys at PS3 Fanboy have pointed out, this image from the book also contains some Final Fantasy XIII artwork; most notably, illustrations of its characters, one of which has been blurred out, presumably to prevent a premature reveal. That, or they're wearing an Xbox 360 T-Shirt.
New FFXIII & Versus XIII images from Cloud, including gameplay pics
The Cloud Message mag isn't even out on Japanese store shelves yet, and the internet is already blazing with sneaking peeks on the Fabula Nova Crystallis coverage within its pages. All three announced titles in the series: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII (PSP) are all featured in the mag and there's juicy new info on each one.For the two PS3 games, the new reveal on Versus XIII is a pretty big one. It's the first time anyone has seen gameplay images of the game. The images themselves are tiny (pictured above), but it is clearly seen (in the larger version) that numerous pictures show off in-game scenes as hinted by the visible HUD and map. As for the Main FFXIII title, the images don't reveal as much. It's interesting to note that a character design from the title's drawing board has been semi-blurred. It is possible that this design may be a new playable character, though that is not certain. If any of this has you interested, check out the larger sized images here and see the fine details.[Via Final Fantasy-XIII.net]
Final Fantasy XIII's 'blond-haired bandana guy' named
Stop the presses! The latest issue of Famitsu (you know, the one that totally hated on LittleBigPlanet) has revealed the name of "blond-haired bandana dude" from Final Fantasy XIII. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Snow Villiers. We know you'll be able to sleep more soundly now. Snow will be joining described "female Cloud Strife" protagonist Lightning in taking the world by storm. Bad weather puns aside, we can't decide who'd be more proud of the nomenclature, Mega Man or Captain Planet.The magazine (via IGN) also delved a bit into Versus XIII but lacked any gameplay details. Instead, we're given hints about each of the two main characters' personalities, Noctis Lucis Caelum and Stella Nox Fleuret (latin words literally translated as "Night Light Sky" and "Star Darkness Sword," respectively). These two have the ability to "see light," which we guess is either some incomplete translation, a metaphor for something spiritual or a hint that Square Enix is taking a cue from the story Blindness.
New Final Fantasy Versus XIII details surface
Famitsu has a four-page spread in their latest issue all about the PS3-exclusive Final Fantasy Versus XIII. You've probably seen some of it in the scans earlier this morning. In the magazine, the full name of Versus' sleepy protagonist prince is revealed to be Noctis Lucis Caelum -- which is Latin for "night, light and sky." The blonde-haired female friend of his is named Stella Nox Fleuret. Her name is Latin for "star, darkness and sword" and she appears to be a princess from another country. It is interesting to note that their respective appearances reflect each other's names.The game's director, Tetsuya Nomura, points out that part of the plot was revealed in the TGS Closed Theater trailer. He notes that the discussion seen between these two characters in that trailer focused on their abilities to "see light." Noctis seems afraid to talk about these abilities, while Stella is very frank and opens up the dialogue by asking Noctis about how he obtained his ability. It's rather funny to think that we now know slightly more about Versus XIII than we do of the main XIII title. That's especially harrowing after knowing Versus XIII isn't expected until after XIII is out.[Via IGN]
New FF XIII and Versus XIII scans show TGS Closed Theater images
If you've read about our Square Enix Closed Mega Theater trailer impressions during our coverage of TGS, then you may have been left wanting to have seen those trailers for yourself. While you can't anymore see them the way we did, we've got the next best thing: pictures. New scans for both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII show off images which debuted in the Closed Theater. In the image above, we see the two most prominent Versus characters engaged in their voiceless conversation. While in the FF XIII image posted after the break, you'll (hardly) see the new Sephiroth-like female character; you'll just see the back of her head. She's the image second from the bottom in the lower left corner. Wait a minute. Sephiroth-like female character? Voiceless conversation? What are you talking about, dude? If you don't know, then you better read those trailer impressions. Also, check out larger versions of the scans here. Click for full Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer impression Click for full Final Fantasy XIII trailer impression
TGS 08: Joystiq's Final Fantasy XIII and Versus trailer impressions
Ah, the infamous Square Enix's Closed Theater strikes again. As usual, the theater is closed off to everyone except for members of the press. Luckily for us, our very own Majeb Athab is currently at TGS and was able to check out the newest Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailers on our behalf. The FFXIII trailer introduces new characters (including a Sephiroth-esque female) who might be villains. The biggest highlight for the Versus XIII trailer is the inclusion of in-game footage for the first time, though it still lacking any sort of in-game battle footage. We won't spoil the rest of it for you, so check out the trailer impressions for FFXIII right here and Versus XIII right here.Source -- JoystiqSource -- Joystiq
TGS 08: Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer impressions
This year's Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer out of Square Enix's Closed Theater follows in the footsteps of last year's trailer in the respect that it's yet again the final video shown during the private screening. The two differ, however, as this year's trailer shows off a bit of in-game footage of Versus XIII for the first time.The trailer kicks things off with the same line of text we've seen dozens of times before: "This is a fantasy based on reality." The scene moves to the prince's luxury sedan speeding through a tunnel. He's listening to the news on the car radio. The vehicle exits the tunnel and the camera pans up to see the moonlit sky with two giant airships hovering in the distance. Somewhere in between this, we get a reintroduction to the Shakespearean quote that's been used since the debut trailer. At this point, things shift and the new stuff come in.We see the prince character wearing a casual, all black suit. This is rendered with the in-game engine, and the graphics look as smooth and appealing as the main FFXIII title. He climbs marble stairs up to a loft-like art gallery. There he meets the blonde woman revealed previously wearing a black dress and a small white top. This time she's seen in a white cocktail dress. the two are talking but through Japanese subtitles as there doesn't appear to be any voice work done yet – or, Square Enix purposely took it out for some reason.
Final Fantasy XIII will have 'no main character'
Motomu Toriyama, the director of Final Fantasy XIII, divulged bits of information about the upcoming RPG in an interview with Famitsu PS3. We already know the demo is lengthy, but now we also know that it will allow players "to play from the opening through the prologue," similar to the Final Fantasy VII demo. Besides Lighting, players will also be able to play as the blonde male (shown above) in the demo. He remains nameless, but whatever his name is, it will be weather-related as well.Toriyama then talks about a "new style" where FFXIII will not have an actual main character. Instead, players will experience the story from the viewpoints of different characters. One of the main focuses of the demo will be to allow players to try out this "new style." The battle system also allows you to switch characters; it will be party-based and the player will switch between each character during combat.As a bonus, Forever Fantasy has scans of the screenshots from the FFXIII story. There are even a few Versus XIII pictures as well. Take a look here.
Final Fantasy XIII and Versus screenshots in Shonen Jump
Japanese manga weekly Shonen Jump has some new screenshots of both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII for us to check out. Unfortunately, the screenshots are tiny but it does show the new locale of a crystallized lake. We also see Lighting, her blonde male companion and the girl with pigtails appear together in a screenshot for the very first time. Not much in terms of information here either, other than what we already know from DKΣ3713. Check out the scans here. PS3Hyper speculates the next issue of gaming bible Famitsu will reveal more about these Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII titles, so stay tuned. [Via PS3Hyper]
Japanese Advent Children directors cut includes FFXIII demo, will come in new PS3 bundle
Are you itching to get your hands on the much anticipated (and highly controversial) Final Fantasy XIII, yet you're not hip enough to get invited to Square Enix's exclusive soirees? If you live in Japan, your first chance to overcome your wicked triskaidekaphobia will come in the form of a FFXIII demo, packaged with the Blu-ray directors cut of the CGI feature film, Final Fantasy: Advent Children. You know, the Buscemi-less CGI Final Fantasy movie.Square Enix revealed both film (titled Advent Children Complete) and demo at their DKΣ3713 event, with a Japanese release date of March 2009. The demo will also include video previews of Final Fantasy Agito XIII and Versus XIII (which they took care to mention is still a PS3 exclusive). Squeenix also announced a new PS3 SKU that will include the Blu-ray directors cut. What they didn't announce, however, was the American release date of the film -- and whether the demo and bundle will even make it to American shores.
Final Fantasy Versus XIII collaboration with clothing brand ROEN
See the stylish clothes all the boys are wearing in Final Fantasy Versus XIII? Apparently, they come from the designs of the Japanese label ROEN. Their collaboration with Square Enix means they are designing clothing worn by the characters in the game. Additionally, you will be able to purchase some of the designs. Looking at ROEN's official website though, we see a leather blazer costing a jaw-dropping 346,500 yen (about $3,223 USD)!! This collaboration is certainly taking the cost of cosplay to a whole new level. The concept to their autumn/winter 2008-09 collection is Play Boy -- "The theme of this imaginative story is set with men, who have shed-off their hippy image and are invited to a high society party ... ROEN is reborn to a mature, gorgeous and classy style." We couldn't make this stuff up if we tried. Also of interest is that the trailer of Versus XIII shown earlier today at DKΣ3713 contains the words "PlayStation 3 only Worldwide" at the end. This appears to again confirm Versus XIII's PS3 exclusivity worldwide. But then again, Final Fantasy XIII had very similar words at the end of its trailers ...
Final Fantasy Versus XIII remains a PS3 exclusive
Not really news per se, but the Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer shown at the DKS3713 party in Tokyo ended with the words "PlayStation 3 only worldwide." So it's nice to know for certain that we have at least one part of the FFXIII series to our greedy little selves. Not to mention Agito coming to PSP. Versus XIII's release date is still very much up in the air, while XIII will be out in Japan next year sometime and a demo will be made available with Advent Children: Complete in March 2009. The FFXIII series is finally starting to look like a collection of real games, as opposed to concept work, with actual gameplay being shown off at the event. If any sneaky attendees managed to video any of the footage shown, hopefully we'll be able to see it with our own eyes soon.[Via Forever Fantasy]
FFXIII demo to be packaged with Blu-ray Advent Children
The Square Enix party is underway, and what possible megaton news could come out of it? Oh, how about a Final Fantasy XIII demo? Yeah, that might be megaton enough. Just maybe. We guess that would be something meaningful to you PS3 owners, seeing as it is a demo on the Blu-ray version of Advent Children, which seems to scream PS3-exclusive.Advent Children Complete will not only include an FFXIII demo, but also new trailers and possibly info on other Fabula Nova Crystallis titles such as Versus XIII and the mobile game Agito. Advent Children Complete is expected to hit Japan in March 2009, but it's not entirely clear if other regions will get the exact same treatment. So, are you still bitter over lost exclusivity?[Thanks Hanson Y.!]
Finally! It's your turn to watch last year's Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer
We're not certain how many months of grinding it took this anonymous cameraman (or woman!) to level up high enough to brave Square Enix's impenetrable fortress, but we do know our hero scored big. Nearly two minutes of Final Fantasy Versus XIII CG footage (shaky as it is) is like the equivalent of all the gil that's stuffed inside the Shinra vault. Better yet, it's aged footage, the type of mana-oozing fluff reel -- note the pretentious, clichéd text in italiano, ovviamente -- that's only ever been eye-balled by suits and trusted VIPs. So let us all take a moment of silence, and push from our minds the gruesome fate that must have befallen our dear hero in the final, and sudden instant that this video is abruptly cut short. Thank you, oh noble ally of the masses, your contribution will not soon be forgotten.[Via Final Fantasy-XIII.net]
Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer from Jump Festa leaked
Square Enix has a habit of showing trailers of their latest masterpieces in closed theaters at events most of us will never get to attend. So what's a fan like you to do? Why, you can send a spy to the event! User ryaris over at Photobucket has a recorded version of the Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer from Jump Festa 2007. The video quality of this PlayStation 3 exclusive clip isn't bad at all, and it is definitely worth a look. We won't spoil anything else for you, so take a look for yourself -- trailer after the jump! [Via FinalFantasyXIII.net -- thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Final Fantasy XIII not available on 360 in Japan, Versus XIII still PS3-exclusive
The Square Enix conference was all about one thing: Final Fantasy XIII. Today's startling announcement was on the mind of everyone in attendance. As a result, journalists were quite fixated on the topic.According to Siliconera, Final Fantasy XIII's 360 port has not been announced for release in Asia. The team is currently focused on finishing the Japanese PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII. "The priority is to bring it to the PS3 first." Once the game releases in Japan, the team can then work on localization and porting it to the Xbox 360. This may mean we're going to suffer through an intolerable wait for an English-language release.The main reason behind today's announcement is obvious: the Xbox 360's significant userbase in countries not named "Japan." However, although Final Fantasy XIII has been announced for Microsoft's console, Versus XIII is still in development as a PS3 exclusive. Of course, considering today's revelation -- will that exclusivity truly last?
Square Enix reveals E3 2008 lineup
Square Enix has announced their E3 lineup and, sadly, it's slim pickings for PS3 owners. With seemingly no sign of Final Fantasy XIII or Versus XIII, the only PS3 title Square Enix will be showing at the show is The Last Remnant -- and that's multiplatform. Even then, the game won't be playable at the show. Star Ocean IV is also listed on the press release and is lacking an "exclusive on Xbox 360" label, which bodes potentially well for the game reaching the PS3 at some point in the future.It's all a bit disappointing really. We know PS3 fans are excited for anything Square Enix related, particularly Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII. Who knows, maybe they'll announce something special for PS3 owners at the show. Or maybe they're keeping their PS3 titles quiet because they're reserved for Sony's Press Conference and won't be available to see on the show floor. Fingers crossed.
Square Enix: Final Fantasy Versus XIII not on hold
In a statement issued to Eurogamer, Square Enix has denied a recent report which stated that Final Fantasy Versus XIII had been put on hold in order to prioritize completion of regular ol' Final Fantasy XIII. According to a translated Famitsu interview with Versus director, Tetsuya Nomura, work on the spin-off title had been temporarily suspended while staffers helped out on the next highly anticipated, and not even remotely final, Final Fantasy installment. "Reports that development for Final Fantasy Versus XIII is on hold are false," countered Square Enix. "The truth of the situation is that when free, some staff from the Versus team have been helping with the XIII team on development of Final Fantasy XIII. Development for both titles is continuing as originally scheduled."That almost sounds like good news, until you realize that the "originally scheduled" release date for either title is likely quite far off. And that makes us so very, very sad.
Final Fantasy Versus XIII on hold [update: Square denies]
Final Fantasy Versus XIII has been temporarily suspended and its programming team transitioned into assist mode, according to a translation of a Famitsu interview with Versus director Tetsuya Nomura (scanned here). Nomura explained that Square Enix's top priority is completing work on Final Fantasy XIII, which means the Versus team has placed its project on ice and headed across the hall to lend a hand. A few remaining designers are still working on conceptual art for Versus, and the story is supposedly complete. Despite the stoppage, Nomura did confirm that Versus will still be featured at Square Enix's pretentious, invite-only "DKΣ3713" event in August, alongside Plain Old Final Fantasy XIII, in non-playable format (read: "a minute of ambiguous footage in a closed theater").Update: Square Enix has denied the report, but has confirmed that staff members from Versus are aiding FFXIII's development.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
