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Some news on Last Remnant -- SaGa Frontier 3, almost
Critics hate Square Enix's Romancing SaGa, SaGa Frontier, and Unlimited SaGa efforts. Many critics never even bothered to review the PS2 remake of the original Romancing SaGa which was, all things considered, an incredibly deep, nonlinear, difficult game. But, like many games that can either be graded very high or very low, being different doesn't always work. So what do a number of the SaGa developers do when they're tired of getting hammered by critics? Make a game that looks amazing, like Last Remnant. We make this reference because Famitsu Xbox 360 scored an interview with the four main designers behind the game and guess what? They're the four main people behind many of the SaGa games. We'll summarize the info they divulged below. Production on Last Remnant began shortly after the completion of the PS2 remake of Romancing SaGa, dubbed Minstrel's Song. Getting used to Unreal Engine 3 was a difficult task, they said. Early work started with getting tons of characters on screen at once. The battle system may be too complicated, they've been warned. Well, if any of you experienced the hellish amounts of fun and confusion from SaGa Frontier 2, we're sure this won't be that tough. The four designers agree. Like in games akin to Ogre Battle (the N64 version comes to mind), you can organize your units in groups of five, choosing who to put in which units. Their attacks won't be automatic, though. You issue commands yourself, like a standard RPG. The trailer shown at the Square Enix party was all real-time, but the rendering and such were only at 30%. So expect a lot to appear different with the final product. The game should be about 30 hours in length. No release date, yet. Our interest in this game went from "very interested" to "seriously, get my checkbook right this moment" after hearing the staff behind the game are being just as ambitious as with every SaGa title. But does this portend a poor reception for the game? Or will the casting aside of the SaGa name, a different direction, and other such artistic and gameplay choices turn people on?
Square Enix launches Last Remnant website
A new website has been launched for the upcoming RPG from Square Enix, The Last Remnant. Right now The website consists only of a single image, some text, and a repeating loop of background music (that you can't turn off). There are two versions of the website. The North American version shows both the typical Square hero, Rush, and the hero designed with Western audiences in mind, the Conqueror. Look carefully at the bloodstained wall behind the Conqueror. You'll notice that the clean part of the wall is in the same shape as the Conqueror's silhouette, which means he was standing there when something very messy happened (yet his hair remains miraculously clean). The Japanese site, curiously, doesn't display the Conqueror at all. Hopefully, it won't be too long before we start sussing out some actual gameplay details.
The Last Remnant official site opens - The Conqueror revealed?
In an effort to mirror the simultaneous release in America and Japan (Europeans are fighting back the vitriol) that was announced with the game, a US and a JPN version of the site have been opened at the same time. The difference between the two is minimal, but only because both suffer from a lack of content. Much like the Dissidia site did when it launched. It is worth visiting both sites, just for the different background visuals. The Japanese version has that great concept image we saw come out of the Square Enix Party, while the US site has a new piece of art. It's clear that the character on the left is Rush Sykes, the 'Japanese' character who we've seen before. Does that mean that the character on the right is the 'American' character, The Conqueror? Looks that way. Interesting look. Definitely nothing we've seen of a playable character in any of the Final Fantasy series. Chances are I'll still be playing as Rush, though.As a final treat, each site has the same background music that will most likely be the theme music for the game. It's pretty good. Though it's getting less and less good each time I listen to the minute-or-so long loop, it has to be said. We'll keep checking the site for updates and let you know. Be sure to view the Japanese site as well as the American one. And why not? They're both in English.
First Last Remnant screenshots surface
The first screenshots of the new Square Enix RPG, The Last Remnant, have been released. To be specific, there are two screenshots and some artwork. The first screenshot (above), shows off one of the game's towns. As you can see, it's very detailed and generally pretty impressive. The second shot shows off what appears to be combat between two different armies. The character models here look nice, though not fantastic. Finally we have a new piece of art. Before you start thinking that the girl with short hair and a sword is hot, know this: that's no girl.Let's face it, it wouldn't be a Square Enix RPG without a disturbingly androgynous hero. Visit Xboxygen for high resolution screens.
Square Enix press conference: Last Remnant screens + Star Ocean 4
Square Enix have confirmed that The Last Remnant will be released for both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 at a press conference in Japan yesterday. It will be the first Square Enix game to be released in America and Japan simultaneously. While we already expected this, it's always nice to hear it from the horse's mouth. On top of this confirmation Square Enix released some screen shots and art from the game. They look gorgeous, of course. The battle scene showing the Japanese character, Rush, fighting on a battlefield is perhaps the most interesting as it gives various hints towards the potential gameplay mechanics involved. Gemaga took photos of all the slides during the press conference. One that really caught our eye was the third one down in this post. It simply says 'Star Ocean 4 (tentative title) under development' with the Square Enix and tri-Ace logos at the bottom. It seems the console the game will eventually arrive on has yet to be determined. Hopefully we will find more out at the Square Enix party. If not, then there's this ominous 'May 30th' date which is mentioned in all of Gemaga's posts.As a final treat, one slide shows some information on Final Fantasy XII: International, which will be released on the 9th of August in Japan and will feature something known as the 'Zodiac Job System'. Sounds intriguing. What is it? We'll let you know when we find out.PSP owners, make sure you check out this post on PSP Fanboy for some more Star Ocean news.
New Square Enix RPG revealed: The Last Remnant
The latest issue of Game Informer reveals that Square Enix is working on a brand new RPG for new gen consoles. Entitled The Last Remnant, the game is being developed with both Japanese and US audiences in mind. In a first for Square Enix, the game is planned as a simultaneous release in both territories. While the Xbox 360 isn't mentioned specifically, the game's producer, Hiroshi Takai, notes that The Last Remnant will break Square Enix's tradition of console exclusive games (in other words, it looks like the 360's global market share is too tasty to pass up). The game offers two main characters from which to choose: a typical Square hero and a darker anti-hero designed to appeal to American gamers (check out the image above; we'll let you guess which one is which). Hit the "read" link for Siliconera's transcription of the article. You can also check out Xboxygen for some shots taken from the magazine.A brand new RPG from Square Enix on the Xbox 360? Is there hope for Final Fantasy after all?[Via Joystiq]
The Last Remnant revealed - Details [UPDATE]
We knew this was coming, right? Ever since the announcement that our friends at Square Enix had registered a new game name, we've been waiting for information on this title to show itself. There's a fair bit of new information, so let's get started.The game is due to be released simultaneously in the US and Japan and will be for both the PS3 and Xbox 360. At this point, the release date is still TBA. No mention of a European release, so we'll assume that it'll be up to twelve months after that, as usual. The backstory sounds fairly standard epic fantasy, but knowing Square Enix they'll put an interesting twist in there for us. An ancient race. Immeasurable power. You've heard it all before. A sword the size of a mountain at the heart of the town of Athlum? Alright, I've not seen that one before. Similarly to Final Fantasy XII there will be numerous bizarre races living together in the world of The Last Remnant. The eponymous Remnants themselves will feature in the game as machines, beasts and weapons that vary in size. This title marks the first game Square Enix are developing using the Unreal Engine 3 which we noticed they licensed earlier this year. No doubt we'll see some more information on this title coming out of the Square Enix party that's happening this month. Until then you can read the details in this month's issue of Game Informer.[UPDATE] Siliconera has removed the transcript and apologise for abusing Game Informer's intellectual property and merit. If you want to read the full article, be sure to pick up a copy of the latest issue of Game Informer.
Game Informer reveals new Square Enix RPG, The Last Remnant
Square Enix is poised to find a formula for tackling the Western gaming market (as if Final Fantasy wasn't a big enough seller here). Their latest is a next-generation RPG currently called The Last Remnant, according to the June issue of Game Informer. The game will be directed by Hiroshi Takai (The Bouncer). The Last Remnant lets you choose between two characters: Rush, a more traditional Square Enix character, and The Conquerer, who Takai describes as "a type of dark hero which is a first for a [Square Enix] RPG" and Game Informer opines that it is an "attempt to reach out to American gamers." It will utilize the Unreal Engine 3, which Square Enix licensed earlier in the year. In a first for Square Enix, the game will is being prepped for release in both U.S. and Japan.For those without a copy of the issue, Siliconera has provided a transcription. The Last Remnant is being planned for multiple next-generation platforms which Game Informer suspects, given the screenshots, means Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
