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FFIV looking as sumptuous as ever in new trailer
We already knew that Square Enix's remake of Final Fantasy IV was going to require a whopping 1 gigabit cartridge, and this latest trailer from the company's official site neatly sums up why. Look at it for heaven's sake! FMV, full 3D models, voice acting, and all playing out to Megumi Ida's entrancing vocals. As long as our favourite line is preserved in the localized English version, Square Enix may as well take our wallets from us now.[Thanks, creamsugar!]
MIDI + art + game songs = <3
Some awesome soul has taken it about himself to make visually enhanced game tunes, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Using a program called Music Animation Machine MIDI Player, which converts the musical notes of MIDI songs into art, the creator of these videos has managed to blow our minds. Sure, we always enjoy it when musical sounds are synthesized with visual imagery, but when some of our favorite songs are involved, it just makes it that much better.We decided to put the Mega Man 2 "Dr. Wily Stage 1" song up top to celebrate Rock Man's 20th anniversary, and well, because it's our favorite. If you don't look after the break to check out the equally awesome Final Fantasy IV, Kirby, Mario, and other tunes, though, you officially fail at the internet.
New Final Fantasy IV videos continue to impress
True to the form of Square Enix, we still haven't seen much gameplay for Final Fantasy IV. But, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy more videos showing off the prettiness. The company just added three of them to the game's official site, each one detailing a different character.We put the one featuring Kain up top, but check after the break to see the videos with Cecil and Rosa.*Note: The videos were enlarged from the ones on the official site, which is why they are low resolution.
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]
Nintendo conference screenshot roundup
We posted a lot of DS screens revealed at or to coincide with yesterday's Nintendo conference, but there's no way we could do an individual post on them all. Three screens of something we've already seen tons of screens of doesn't exactly warrant its own post. Some of the screens listed have been previously released. Some of the games, we just didn't get to. But we can link to a Japanese roundup post that's loaded with screens, and list the games shown within by title! We promise that as soon as we get more information on this stuff beyond a few screens in a roundup, we'll post it. Until then, check after the break for every game in the roundup, organized in order of appearance on the GAME Watch page.
Final Fantasy IV Trading Arts figurines are cute
We know that when most people think about Final Fantasy IV, they think about great music and an engaging, mature storyline and Active Time Battles and blah blah blah. The character designs, especially those in the new DS remake, completely short-circuit the storytelling with OMG CUTEness. Seriously, these lil' guys are just precious. Look at the adorable little paladin! How huggable. NCSX is taking preorders for these Trading Arts figurines for $39. They come semi-randomly packed in boxes of nine, but each box should contain one complete set of six, along with three duplicates that can be sent to your pals at DS Fanboy.
V-Jump scans reveal Final Fantasy IV release date, Moogle-esque creatures
Much of the art and screens shown in these V-Jump Final Fantasy IV scans has already been revealed in other magazine scans, but there's new stuff, too. Like little white non-Moogle creatures called "Pochika" (or something close) who seem to be able to help out in battle. If you're really concerned about gameplay changes in the DS remake, now would be the time to go buy the Game Boy Advance version. Inheriting other characters' abilities is nothing compared to adorable mascot out of nowhere. And, for the practical-minded gamer who doesn't care what's in the game until you can get it, this scan shows the Japanese release date for the game: December 20th. That doesn't give you much time to learn Japanese! Check out the scans after the break for more FFIV loveliness, and another look at the nice new character models.
Final Fantasy IV launches dev blog
Do you like blogs? We love blogs, even if they're comprised mostly of indecipherable script from the Japanese language. Of course, it doesn't hurt that it's about games.One of the game's producers comments that the title was planned immediately following the completion of Final Fantasy III, but fails to mention how frequently the blog will be updated. So, be sure keep up with the RSS over there.[Via Go Nintendo]
Final Fantasy IV developer interview
In celebration of the upcoming remake of Final Fantasy IV, Famitsu decided to remake a vintage interview with producer Tomoya Asano and director Takashi Tokita. No, we're kidding, it's a new interview, but we like giving Square Enix a hard time about remakery. We do that, and they take our money for games. It's an arrangement we have.The developers discuss Yoshitaka Amano's remake of the logo, which is "really good." They also talk about the story, which Takashi Tokita is going back over: "16 years ago I was still a young man so I want to try and see if there's any parts that I feel my inexperience had a bad effect on or maybe I wasn't expressive enough at the time." When asked why they decided to remake Final Fantasy IV after III, the two, in unison and without hesitation, yelled "CHA-CHING!" Okay, that didn't happen either. [Via GoNintendo]
Final Fantasy IV's CG-tastic trailer
Contrasting the absolutely wicked, gameplay-filled trailer that we received last week for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, the Final Fantasy IV DS video Square Enix posted at the title's teaser site today is pretty light on action. The CG scenes, dramatic soundtrack, and breathy voice-over serve the story-driven RPG well, but if you're looking to see some combat or world map travel, you won't find much satisfaction here.The tail end of the clip hints that we'll be seeing the game's release before year's end, so plan your budget accordingly. Hop a ride on an airship, and sail past the post break for the 3D remake's two-minute movie.
FFIV DS to remove spoony bard?! [update 1]
[Update 1: Our bad. It appears that, in fact, three-fourths of the original game script was actually left out of the SNES title, and much of it will be added in for the new DS re-release. Still, the probability of a script rewrite is extremely high, so our terrifying supposition remains.]Unacceptable, we decry! News from yon Square Enix headquarters, which is releasing approximately a dozen Final Fantasy-branded games in the next twelve months, reports that over three-fourths of Final Fantasy IV's script will be completely redone for the upcoming DS re-release. This is generally good news, as Square Enix's early efforts hardly utilized the kind of localization teams they employ today, but this particular instance is blasphemy.The term "spoony bard" has become a cultural mainstay for today's youth. Why, when's the last time you could even leave the house without hearing it spoken thrice in direct succession? The removal of this phrase, we feel, would be extremely detrimental to the development of future generations. Square Enix, we implore thee, leave this paragon of digital literature be.[Thanks, zshadow!]
FFIV 3D remake compared with original 2D games
Using the magazine scans that revealed Final Fantasy IV for the DS yesterday, NeoGAF forumer Speedpop cropped screenshots of the 3D remake right next to their respective scenes from the SNES and GBA releases. The juxtaposition gives you a good idea of how different Square Enix's updated game will look from the originals. Compare and contrast after the post 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]
First look at Final Fantasy IV 3D remake [Update 1]
Japanese magazine Shonen Jump has unveiled the first screenshots of Square Enix's Final Fantasy IV 3D remake, confirming rumors about its development that've been circulating since yesterday. The preview shows a sampling of combat and Cecil wandering through a populated town. Run past the post break for the scanned page and a smug look from Shonen Jump's pirate guy.With FFIV released for the GBA around late 2005 and FFIII remade for the DS just last November, are you starting to tire from all of Square Enix's rehashes like we are? We won't deny that the 3D engine looks great, but do we have to revisit every single Final Fantasy adventure with it, especially when an updated version of this particular game already came out less than two years ago? And for the love of all that is good and holy, why haven't Secret of Mana or Chrono Trigger made it on the list of games to be remade yet?
The FFIII engine prints money: Final Fantasy IV remake on the way
Well, if you weren't quite convinced that Final Fantasy III DS was worth getting excited over, then try this on for size: rumor has it that the same team has taken on an update of Final Fantasy IV -- one of three Final Fantasy titles heralded as a contender for the title of best game ever.Whereas the original FFIII was passed over for a U.S. release and featured, prior to update, a nameless band of warriors, the next entry in the series originated many of the qualities that turned the franchise into a global powerhouse. The game debuted the Active Time Battle system and featured an epic storyline that's still held dear in the hearts of RPG gamers everywhere. It's been remade several times -- most recently (and we mean recently) for the GBA -- but a remake using the FFIII engine could give the game new life and improve the only thing that needs to be improved, which is the graphics. If this is true (and it wouldn't surprise us), we'll most likely hear confirmation on it soon, since the Square Enix Party is this weekend in Japan. According to the rumor, the game is nearly finished as well, so if it's coming, we won't have long to wait. [Via NeoGAF]
