remake
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PSP Slim details leaked?
We're sure that a PSP remake is coming ... but when? Kotaku, in a "rumor" from "several sources close to Sony," suggests that a thinner PSP will be unveiled at E3 next month. The system will supposedly feature a new LED screen that delivers a crisp image in a new, thinner size. Due to new screen technology, battery life will also increase, up four-fold. Amongst other features is a faster UMD drive, 8GB of internal flash memory, and a revamped D-Pad. All of this is supposed to come in at a surprising cost: only $170, the same cost of the system now.Sound too good to be true? Maybe. We contacted Dave Karraker from SCEA and he commented: "This is pure rumor and speculation, for which we don't comment."We honestly find many of these details to be much too extravagant, especially at such a low price. (How much money would Sony lose on each system sold? 8GB of memory alone would make the $170 price much too costly for the manufacturer.) We'll have to wait until E3 to see if Kotaku's bold claims have any weight to them.
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.
Final Fantasy IV trailer hints at '07 release
The Final Fantasy media extravaganza continues today with yet another morsel from the maw of Square-Enix. As if the recent videos for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers weren't enough, a CG-filled trailer was released today teasing us with the 3D remake of Final Fantasy IV for the DS. The video is mostly pre-rendered shots shown over dramatic voiceovers and epic orchestral music, but the exciting bit comes at the end with a striking "coming 2007" message. The big question: is the date just for Japan or does the rest of the world get to play, too? [Via DS Fanboy]
Square-Enix remakes just keep on comin'
Not content with releasing eighty remakes of popular Final Fantasy titles and making an obscene profit from said actions, a recent online interview with CEO Yoichi Wada revealed that the company has plans to remake an unknown number of their other mega-popular franchise, Dragon Quest (also known, for earlier iterations, as Dragon Warrior here in the states).Which titles and how many are as of yet unknown ... the information seemed to just slip right out of Wada-san's vocal cords ... but we'd imagine a compilation similar to Final Fantasy: Dawn of Souls. Also, while not officially confirmed for the DS, we can't really imagine these titles going anywhere else. Does this news excite you guys, or are the old-school DQ titles just a bit too old-school?
Chronicles of Riddick remake heading to the PS3 and 360
It appears that the PlayStation 3 is getting a remake of the best movie videogame of all time, Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. Rumors have been popping up on the net that an 'enhanced' version of the fantastic PC/Xbox game will be coming to both the PS3 and the 360 and will include improved graphics, online modes, developer commentary and a new level. The new version is titled Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena and it was confirmed that original developer Starbreeze is working on the remake. Unfortunately, no release date was mentioned.The original title was easily one of my favorite first-person shooters from the previous generation. It was a bit of a sleeper hit with many people writing it off as just another movie cash-in title, but Starbreeze really delivered in spades. The game was incredibly atmospheric, had fantastic graphics, visceral and violent gameplay, and a surprisingly good story. Still, it seems a little odd that they're remaking a game that's only a few years old. Hopefully the new extras will make it worth taking another trip to Butcher Bay.
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!]
Wii to celebrate Tomb Raider: Anniversary
In news that is sure to set tongues wagging and arms waggling, IGN reports that Lara Croft will soon raid a more modern tomb -- your Wii's game shelf. In a press release issued by an international Eidos branch, Tomb Raider: Anniversary is stated as being in development for Nintendo's popular console. Previously, the remake was only slated for release on the PC (including GameTap), PlayStation 2 and PSP. With Eidos holding out on costly PS3 releases until 2008 and with no Xbox 360 version of Anniversary in sight, it seems the Wii is benefiting for once by being lumped in a similar technological bracket as the PS2. It makes for a quick and financially sensible port, it's only challenge being the tacking on implementation of unique motion controls. We're hoping for an ice-cold virtual hand to poke Lara into position for those tricky jumps. No Anniversa-Wii date has been set, but other platforms begin festivities on June 5th.
Fans want it: FFVII
We've been discussing this notion of a (DS) remake of Final Fantasy VII around here for the last few weeks, particularly since the confirmation that Final Fantasy IV was getting the makeover treatment. It turns out we're not alone; at the Square Enix Party in Japan, fans were given a chance to scribble their dreams on sticky notes for a suggestion board, and Cloud Strife's story was a little popular. Gamefront has several images of the boards, with a good luck at the variety of suggestions offered by fans. Final Fantasy VI makes an appearance as well.
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.
DS Daily: One more time
Nostalgia is a big factor for veteran gamers. As we long wistfully for the days of yore, full of Opera Houses and Triple Techs, companies scheme to use this wonderful emotion for profit. Square-Enix is a particularly egregious offender, but damned if we're not willing to buy that game we loved just one more time.Final Fantasy III is a bit of an exception, since the title was never truly released in regions outside of Japan before last year. But how willing are you, as gamers, to buy rehashes of the very same game? We got the entire Final Fantasy Advance series (I, II, IV, V, and VI) and now Square-Enix wants to release a graphically overhauled version of FFIV ... again? With the inclusion of Final Fantasy Chronicles on the Playstation, this will be the fourth release of the same freaking game.Do you need extra features or updated graphics to re-buy a game, or do you refuse on principal? As we know is that as long as we keep buying them, Square-Enix will keep remaking them. Pah.
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]
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]
Today's raidingest video: Tomb Raider
Some of us have been jonseing for each successive Tomb Raider adventure ever since Lara Croft decided that messing up archaeological sites wasn't just for Indy. (Where were the interns and study? No, Kurtis Trent and Short Round don't count.) The June 5 launch of the original, remade with updated graphics (and we can only hope controls), as Tomb Raider: Anniversary is just around the corner. The tombs aren't going to just raid themselves; our video pick is the latest trailer for the back-to-her roots game. We don't see much that we didn't already know -- surprise, the game has "mild suggestive themes" -- but we're sure fans will appreciate the latest look at Lara. See the video after the break.
Square-Enix: making new games is hard, we'll just re-make old ones [UPDATE]
[UPDATE: It seems this story was based on this original report from a satire web site. Joystiq regrets the error.] With the recent success of the Final Fantasy Advance games on the GBA and the 3D remake of Final Fantasy III on the DS, Square-Enix has announced a new business model that, well, isn't new at all. The company has decided to focus on re-releasing old games for new systems, punching up the visuals and adding bonus content in the process. Get ready to own the original Final Fantasy ... again.Cashing in on gamers' nostalgia has been profitable for many companies (especially Nintendo), and despite our cries to stop the ports and sequels, we still hand over the cash. We can't say we're thrilled with the news, but it does bring a glimmer of hope for some of the company's forgotten franchises. First person to say "FFVII ON TEH PS3" or "CHRONO TRIGGER 3D ON THEE DS!!!1" wins a cookie. [Via Siliconera]
Front Mission 1st promotional trailer
Preparing for Front Mission 1st's March 22nd release in Japan, Square Enix has released a two-minute promotional video for the futuristic SRPG. The trailer features a touchscreen demonstration and several dozen gameplay clips bookended with two gorgeous FMV scenes.Players will command an army of customizable mechas, directing their turn-based skirmishes over a 21st century battlefield. While Front Mission 1st will be a remake of the identically-titled 2003 Playstation game (already an enhanced port of the first 1995 SNES original), this first entry to the Front Mission series has never seen an official North American release. Most of the screenshots at the Front Mission 1st site indicate that essential menus will be in English, but the Japanese-heavy dialogue and plot text is still a high barrier for possible importers. [Via NeoGAF]
Suda 51 announces 'The Silver Case' remakes for DS
During a GDC presentation last week Grasshopper Manufacture frontman Suda 51 revealed that his studio would be remaking its first two games, porting them onto DS. The two installments of a mystery-riddled adventure series, The Silver Case (PS1) and The Silver Case Word 25 (mobile) were released only in Japan. Because these are both text-heavy adventures, there's a good chance the remakes will never be localized for non-Japanese markets either (Objection?!). Sure, you could import, but if you can't read the text featured in the image here, don't bother.But don't fret either, Killer 7 fans jonesing for a Suda fix have No More Heroes to look forward to. Peep the new footage and decide if this Wii game will live up to its ultra-violent billing.[Via DS Fanboy]
GDC07: Classic Suda 51 weirdness hitting the DS
Suda 51's first games as part of Grasshopper Manufacture are being remade for the DS. The games, called The Silver Case and The Silver Case Ward 25, were originally released for the Playstation and mobile phones, respectively. Suda revealed this fact during his GDC keynote "Punk's Not Dead".Both are graphical text adventures; Ward 25 uses static art and the original Silver Case uses full-motion video. Unfortunately, because of the amount of text that would have to be translated, Suda isn't sure the remakes will be released outside Japan. Someone tell him that American DS players love graphical text adventures! And tell him that we <3 Grasshopper Manufacture too.
More info on PSP's Impossible Mission
When we first wrote about Impossible Mission we were told it would be out in January and wouldn't be in 3D. Well, it's past January and the game isn't out yet and now we know it'll include some 3D objects. What other new info is there on Impossible Mission?
