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A tiny peek at Final Fantasy IV
Square Enix, we'd like to introduce you to our good friends at Atlus. When they announce a game, we get dozens of screenshots. Heck, when it comes to Atlus games, we get dozens of screenshots just because it's Tuesday or the sun is shining, and we like it. You guys formally date Final Fantasy IV, one of the most anticipated DS titles this year ... and we get three English screenshots, and one of 'em doesn't even have any English (see above). And yet, in return, Square Enix will have all of our money this summer, and sometimes, they don't even bother making new games. It almost doesn't seem fair. While we consider making a few protest posters, you can check out the screens in the gallery below.p.s. Beef aside, we love you anyway. Kisses!%Gallery-3278%[Via press release]
It's official: Final Fantasy IV on July 22
You can go ahead and just accept that the next few months of your life are likely to belong to Square Enix. Now that we have an official release date for Final Fantasy IV, we're looking at: The World Ends With You this month Space Invaders Extreme and Arkanoid DS in June Final Fantasy Tactics A2 in June Final Fantasy IV July 22 And that's just a sprinkling of what's to come. There's so much else to consider, from Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days to Valkyrie Profile: The Accused One, and maybe even Itadaki Street. And to think, some people are convinced that third parties have a tough time on Nintendo systems. Not so with Square Enix on the DS, that's for sure.%Gallery-3278%[Via press release]
Final Fantasy IV coming in July
Did you miss the date for Final Fantasy IV in the last issue of Nintendo Power? We did, and so did many others; we were all too busy reading the incredible ten page spread on the game to look at the chart on page 18. Now RPGFan is also reporting that the game will ship this July, so it should be only a matter of time before Square Enix confirms the release. At this rate, we can expect Final Fantasy VI (also known as the one we're waiting for on the DS) in July of 2009. Can we get on that, guys? Not that we aren't excited about Final Fantasy IV (we are!), we're just ... uh ... looking ahead. %Gallery-3278%[Via Gemaga]
Final Fantasy IV coming to North America ... maybe
Role-playing fans can slip on their dancing shoes and party like it's 1991. A new interview with Final Fantasy IV director Takashi Tokita in the latest Nintendo Power seems to point to the game's recent DS remake being localized for North American audiences. Oh sure, he doesn't come right out and confirm the localization -- where's the drama in that? -- but given that the article comes peppered with English language screens and the game itself is featured on the cover, we're certainly leaning towards believing that the RPG will soon be getting some domestic love.Tokita also toys with our emotions, speaking to the possibility of a remake of SNES RPG classic Chrono Trigger provided "the demand is great enough." Though like coming down hard off a caffeine high, he sends us crashing back down to earth by adding that he really wants to "create new titles and not just series installments and remakes." Yours is a cruel love, mon cher.[Via DS Fanboy]
Promotional Consideration: Hataraku Chocobo
Promotional Consideration is a weekly feature about the Nintendo DS advertisements you usually flip past, change the channel on, or just tune out.Square Enix has been pushing Final Fantasy IV hard this week in Japan, advertising the 3D remake with five different CG-filled commercials. We were curious to compare these spots with how the RPG was marketed when it first appeared on the Super Famicom, all the way back in 1991, and the two approaches couldn't be any more at odds!
Final Fantasy IV comes with nice soundtrack treat
Having a jukebox feature is not unique to video games, but it's not often (or never) that we have this pleasure with a Final Fantasy title. Fortunately, though, the Final Fantasy IV remake for the DS will have a jukebox component, hosted by none other then everyone's favorite spoony bard.Once you make Edward play your tune of choice, you can close up your DS, listen, and relax. If all of our DS games let us do this, we probably wouldn't have any need for our iPods anymore (okay, that's a lie).It's important to note, however, that the soundtrack for the DS version is slightly different from that of the original game because of sound issues on the handheld. Regardless, we find this to be a nice little feature for the game.[via Siliconera]
Square Enix in your pocket: DS edition
Unlike its PSP counterpart, the Nintendo DS has been no stranger to North American Square Enix releases. Chocobo Tales, Final Fantasy III, Children of Mana and Dragon Quest Rocket Slime have all graced their presence on Western shores. And Square Enix is far from done supporting Nintendo's money-printer.Of the eight titles, we've got 4 Final Fantasy games, 3 strategy games, 2 remakes, and one surefire Japanese phenomenon by way of Dragon Quest IX. Have a look at the publisher's upcoming selection after the break.
Final Fantasy IV, then and now
When Final Fantasy III upgraded to three dimensions for the DS, side-by-side comparison shots popped up online to show the disparity between the new version and the original. Recently-announced FFIV remake, now it's your turn.NeoGAF forum poster Speedpop produced four side-by-side shots of the new FFIV alongside its predecessor. Two of the four images are currently unavailable due to bandwidth issues (damn you, Image Shack!), so we've decided to host the collection below. The 16-year difference shows, and it looks like Square Enix is doing quite a bit to upgrade the title.%Gallery-3054%[Via GameBrink; thanks, J]
Final Fantasy IV getting the 3D treatment on DS
Clunky machine-translated rumors circulated yesterday that Square-Enix was working on another 3D remake of a Final Fantasy title for DS: Final Fantasy IV. Today, Japanese magazine Shonen Jump confirmed the speculation with a few grainy images. The game will use the same engine as the FFIII remake with at least one notable addition: skin-tight leather outfits.The inevitable re-hashing of yet another Final Fantasy game by Square Enix. We would complain, but the thought of FF IV in 3D sooths our inner demons. Gamers who missed the original release can enjoy modern 3D visuals, Square Enix can make loads of cash while expending minimal resources, and veteran gamers can re-visit an old game in an entirely new way.[Via DS Fanboy]
Metareview - Final Fantasy III (DS)
At long last, the true Final Fantasy III finally localized for our precious consumption. But don't be fooled by the cutesy characters, they don't make 'em like this no more: Game Informer (80/100) - "[This is an old-school adventure, with all of the pitfalls and payoffs that entails ... Providing you're the type of person who doesn't have any trouble going back and playing 8-bit games, Final Final III [sic] is an excellent handheld homage to a bygone era." IGN (78/100) - "For any unassuming casual gamer out there, be warned, as Final Fantasy III hits hard and plays like the demanding days of old. We're talking tons of random battles (every five or so steps in some cases), inns that don't revive dead characters, and instant death battles that don't hesitate to kill unsuspecting explorers that feel the need to wander too far from the 'strongly recommended' path the game delivers ... Either you need this game or you don't. Plain and simple." Games Radar (70/100) - "[Tons] of uphill struggles and unaccommodating features [make] the experience borderline miserable at times. But for some of us, the Fantasy followers and old-style gamers, it's nice to sneak in such a guilty pleasure in between all the over-produced RPGs that hold your hand every step of the way." Current overall average: 77/100 (8 reviews)
Final Fantasy III coming to America on Nov. 14
Square Enix finally set a street date on the North American release of the anticipated DS remake, Final Fantasy III. Slated to hit store shelves on Nov. 14, FFIII is a touched-up version of the game that many old-school U.S. gamers never knew -- our FFIII was really the Japanese version of FFVI.The game will take advantage of the DS' Wi-Fi capabilities allowing players to "communicate with others and uncover hidden dungeons, quests, and items using a Wi-Fi connection."
A plethora of FFIII videos
Games are Fun points the way to six new videos for the upcoming DS version of Final Fantasy III. While the videos are a bit on the short side, they do give you a solid sense of how you'll be revisiting this classic world. You can either watch the YouTube movies after the break or check out the direct links here: Scene after first boss battle Battle Town Town & world map Job editor (lets you change jobs and shows your character) World map, dungeon, and battle
Final Fantasy III & Rune Factory go head-to-head in Japan
On August 24, Final Fantasy III and Rune Factory: Shin Bokujou Monogatari (Harvest Moon spinoff) will be released in Japan fo DS. While FFIII certainly has the brand edge, both titles look to boost the DS's credibility as a viable RPG platform. Famitsu recently published its reviews for the two games, suggesting that FFIII is slightly superior: Final Fantasy III (Square Enix): 9/8/9/8 - 34/40* Rune Factory (Marvelous Interactive): 8/9/7/9 - 33/40 Keep in mind that, back in March, Children of Mana scored even higher than FFIII, earning a 36/40, and will be released in the US on October 30. FFIII will land stateside in November (hopefully). Rune Factory: Shin Bokujou Monogatari has not been confirmed for release outside of Japan, but Harvest Moon DS is scheduled for September 12. *C3 News notes that Famitsu's score for the original FFIII (NES) was 35/40.
New FFIII trailer all purty 'n stuff
Go Nintendo points us to a trailer taken from the official Japanese Final Fantasy III site that displays more of that beautiful CG you've come to know and love from the franchise.Note the angelic look of the characters and the soft flowing music to coincide with the gentle breeze blowing through the trailer. Take a deep breath, and enjoy. Doesn't that prerendered CG stuff get you all hyped up to finally play this DS remake?
Final Fantasy III gameplay footage
A Final Fantasy III (DS) video -- minus the fluff -- has surfaced on YouTube. Although edited, this clip is 3:44 of gameplay footage: a lil' exploring ... a surprise skirmish ... some more explorin' ... a lethargic giant-tortoise boss battle ... a shiny crystal -- you know, classic Final Fantasy. Sure it's garden variety, but it's a proven formula and looking extremely polished at home on DS.
Final Fantasy III DS wi-fi feature revealed: emailing?
ClubSkill.com reports that a leaked screenshot from Jump, a Japanese publication, reveals that Final Fantasy III will make use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, at least in part, by allowing friends to send 'letters' to each other. Exchanging these emails is said to trigger special events in the game.Fair enough, but we're still holding out for some true co-op functionality, or even just a simple battle mode. C'mon Square Enix, we play games to take a break from emailing!
Square Enix confirms Final Fantasy III wi-fi enabled
A few days ago, we were sent a scan of a page from Nintendo Power. The image suggests that Final Fantasy III (DS) will feature Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection support. See the tiny blue icon? Today, IGN confirmed with Square Enix that FFIII would indeed be wi-fi enabled. Unfortunately the company representative added, "I can't reveal the details at this time." Final Fantasy III is scheduled for release on September 12. [Thanks, Sean]
Final Fantasy III trailer
The official trailer for FInal Fantasy III is hosted, for your viewing pleasure, over at Game Brink. The trailer is low on the gameplay footage, yet features some sweet CG footage of chocobos running along a cliff complete with airship emerging from the clouds. Of the gameplay footage that is shown, some interspersed segments of exploration, dialogue segments, and battle footage make up the majority of it. Also, the site has some footage from E3 you can check out. [Via Joystiq]
Final Fantasy III screenshots
In our continuing salivation over coverage of Final Fantasy III, we've come across some more screenshots taken directly from the game. The new images feature some more NPC interaction, dungeon crawling, and battle segments for you to pine over. We know we can hardly wait to get our hands on this title next week, so keep your eye on DS Fanboy for impressions come E3.
More Final Fantasy III scans delight
A quick hop over to RPGamer will show you a plethora of screenshots on the highly-anticipated Final Fantasy III, taken from a Japanese magazine. The scans, which contain the requisite number of moogle and chocobo, showcase some of the game's tasty concept art for the classes of characters such as Red and Black Mage, along with what we can assume is information on the game, locked away behind doors that we are unable to penetrate due to our lack of ability to translate Japanese characters. Any bilingual readers want to take a crack at translating the article? The scans also show some in-battle imagery throughout a variety of environments along with some samples of what exploration on the world map will look like. We're foaming at the mouth to see this at E3, so keep your eyes on DS Fanboy for more information as it develops.
