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GDC: Toriyama explains the themes of the Fabula Nova Crystallis trilogy
The creators of Final Fantasy XIII have been notoriously tight-lipped about the Fabula Nova Crystallis trilogy, a series comprised of FFXIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII and the PSP-exclusive Final Fantasy Agito XIII. During a GDC panel titled "The Crystal Mythos," director Motomu Toriyama gave a few scant details about the other two branches of the trilogy, and the few similarities connecting the entries in the franchise's 13th series. Toriyama's main point during his presentation is that Agito and Versus won't be sequels to the recently released Final Fantasy XIII -- they'll both have their own unique set of characters, gameplay systems and overarching stories. The only thing connecting them is the "Crystal Mythos" motif -- a theme where the fates of ordinary humans are controlled by omnipotent gods. Players of Final Fantasy XIII should already be acquainted with this storytelling device. The other detail about the series Toriyama mentioned was that, like XIII, the rest of the series will continue to focus on story-driven gameplay rather than allowing the player to explore an open world. For better or worse, it sounds like Versus and Agito will possess the same linearity for which XIII was frequently criticized.
Nomura 'not sure' about Final Fantasy Versus XIII at E3
As Square Enix developers are prone to do, acclaimed Final Fantasy lead Tetsuya Nomura recently dropped some vague information about one of the handful of Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII games that was announced like, a million years ago (okay, okay -- in 2006). Apparently, due to the display of the world map not being up to snuff, Final Fantasy Versus XIII may not make an appearance at this year's E3. "We were hoping to debut it at E3, but we're not sure now," Nomura told Famitsu (as relayed by FF-Reunion.net). "For displaying characters on the world map, we were originally planning on using the method used by 'FF#,' with a small Noctus running about on the screen, but that didn't look too great, so we ended up switching to the method used by 'FF#.'" Allegedly, the "#" designations used by Famitsu in the preceding quotation were an effort to mask the particular Final Fantasy installments Nomura was referring to. "Famitsu had to block them out," explained Andriasang. Nomura also suggested that Versus might be benched for E3 2010 in order to give other Square Enix titles at the show more time in the spotlight. Nomura did not mention Agito XIII in the Famitsu article, but did note that, in terms of other projects, "There are a number of them, along with some for which we need to begin preparations for a reveal." That's right -- forget about finally showing us more of the game that was announced four years ago, bring on Final Fantasy XV! [Via Andriasang]
Nomura has more unannounced games, one 'not entirely new'
If you're reading gaming blogs on a regular basis, Tetsuya Nomura needs no introduction. While Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is by no means finished, Nomura is already talking about what's next. In the latest issue of Famitsu (via Siliconera; scan can be seen here), he confirms two additional projects: one that is already fairly far along in development and another unannounced project that's "not entirely new." Aside from Birth By Sleep, Nomura's other known projects include Final Fantasy Agito XIII and 3rd Birthday, a new game in the Parasite Eve series. Keep an eye on Famitsu's site, where the full interview will soon be available.
Multiplayer battles discovered in new Final Fantasy Agito XIII trailer
Japanese students have it rough. Not only are they expected to succeed in school, but they must also fight evil in deadly, magical card games. At least, that's what Yu-Gi-Oh! and Final Fantasy Agito XIII seem to tell us.Agito is the PSP addition to the massive Final Fantasy XIII universe. Like many other PSP games, this RPG is meant to be a multiplayer affair, encouraging PSP owners to connect and battle cooperatively. This trailer finally showcases some of the Crisis Core-inspired gameplay we've heard so much about. (Skip to 1:38 to see non-CG footage.) Too bad Square Enix doesn't plan on releasing this game until 2010 ... or later.
Direct-feed: FF Agito & 3rd Birthday trailers
It's a Square Enix media explosion! A few days ago, trailers for PS3's Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII made their way into the loving arms of the internet. Now, it's the PSP's turn. Check out trailers for these two upcoming PSP-exclusive games: Final Fantasy Agito XIII and The 3rd Birthday, after the break.
Check out FF Agito XIII's concept art, world map
There is a bit of new info on Final Fantasy Agito XIII today. It's just a spot, really. In the pages of the yet released Cloud Message magazine, lays this image of the Agito team's drawing board. In it you can spot a world map, some vehicular concept art and a Chocobo. Yep, Chocobos are going to be in this one. There's also an odd collection of symbols pictured in the lower right-hand corner. What could those things be? Perhaps you'd want to take a closer look and find out? To do that, see larger-sized images here.[Via Final Fantasy-XIII.net]
Shonen Jump reveals Final Fantasy Agito XIII battle screen
We've known for some time that Final Fantasy Agito XIII will be using a modified version of the ATB system used in Crisis Core, but now we finally have the first screenshot of how that battle system will look like, thanks to the latest issue of Shonen Jump. The headline of this short article confirms that multiplayer will be a big focus for the game -- earlier reports indicate both Infrastructure and Ad-Hoc multiplayer will be included -- this will sit well with Japanese PSP owners who seem to love the Ad-Hoc mode in games like Phantasy Star Portable. Check out the full scans over at PSPHyper.
TGS trailer for Final Fantasy Agito XIII leaked
A brand new poster has been revealed for Final Fantasy Agito XIII. The cropped version is above but you can view the full version here. It appears to be a cloaked CG version of the students from this older illustration.Fresh out of TGS, a trailer has also been leaked. According to the poster, this is a truncated version of a trailer shown last year, so this was created before the PSP version was announced. It still looks pretty cool, so we've got it for you right after the break.[Via FFXIII.net]
The long wait for Agito: to release after FFXIII and Versus XIII
While we're glad to see Final Fantasy Agito XIII head to PSP, we're saddened to hear that this online-enabled RPG may only arrive in the distant future. According to an interview with Tetsuya Nomura (translated by FinalFantasyXIII.net), the PSP addition to the Final Fantasy XIII universe will arrive after the two other PS3 games: Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. The reason for this? According to Nomura, there's simply too much content in the game. The "lengthy story" and "large amount of characters" makes it one of PSP's most ambitious titles yet.Final Fantasy XIII will not debut until 2009 -- and who knows when Versus XIII will release? It looks like for the time being, Agito won't be on our radar until well beyond 2009, into at least 2010. Ouch.
Get schooled by these Final Fantasy Agito XIII screenshots
We don't know much about the upcoming PSP version of Final Fantasy Agito XIII. We know that it'll support Infrastructure in some way, will have a Crisis Core-inspired battle system, and we know that it's based on cards. Other than that, we're just going to have to stare at these screenshots at Famitsu and remark on how Square Enix is able to make such impressive character models on the PSP yet again.
Final Fantasy Agito XIII to use Crisis Core's ATB system, will support Infrastructure
The revelation that Agito, the former Final Fantasy XIII cell phone game, was coming to the PSP was a nice revelation for many. Apparently, the developers were tired of waiting for cell phone tech to advance to the level they wanted for Agito. While details are far and few between, the latest issue of Famitsu PS3 (via FinalFantasyXIII.net) says that Agito will use an advanced version of Crisis Core's ATB system. Fans of the PSP-exclusive prequel should be familiar with the real-time battle system. However, unlike Crisis Core, players can look forward to controlling more than one character.Another bonus is the addition of Infrastructure online play to Agito, a rarity for more Japanese-developed titles. Games with community aspects, such as Monster Hunter Portable and Phantasy Star Portable have opted to use Ad-Hoc multiplayer only. Although that hasn't hindered the popularity of either of these games, players across the Pacific understand that Infrastructure makes online play much more accessible. We approve.[Thanks, Monkey!]
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 Agito XIII heading to PSP
Was this the "major announcement" Square Enix referred to? NeoGAF tells us that earlier today in the private press event DKΣ3713, it was unveiled that Final Fantasy Agito XIII will be heading to the PSP in addition to cell phones. The title is part of Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII which also includes Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. No release date has been announced.[Thanks, erico316!]
3 Final Fantasy XIII games; 2 just for PS3
Final Fantasy XII won't be out for the PS2 in the States until October, but we now have a glimpse of Final Fantasy XIII thanks to Square Enix's pre-E3 press event -- and this installment in the series won't be coming alone.Like the different titles in the Compilation of FFVII collection of games and movies, the initially announced installments in the FFXIII universe will span multiple platforms which, in this case, include both the PS3 and sufficiently advanced mobile handsets. Not much is known about the mobile-bound Final Fantasy Agito XIII, but the subtitle-less version of FFXIII will concern a gun-and-sword-toting heroine in a futuristic world, while Final Fantasy Versus XIII will focus on "a spiky-haired character," "extreme action elements," and a primary theme of "bonding" (whatever that means). Anybody ready to "resist the world"?The multiple titles might explain the earlier rumor reported in March that FFXIII was "practically close to being finished" (maybe only one of these games was nearing completion). Whatever the case may be, we're just happy that more than one not-so-Final-Fantasy will be hitting the next PlayStation in relatively rapid succession. RPG feasting: on the way.[Via Joystiq]
