Square Enix
Latest
Final Fantasy IV screens: just like importing, without the actual game
This week, Japanese gamers will be able to get their hands on the much-updated Final Fantasy IV. Unless you're importing, you've got quite a wait ahead of you before you can share in that joy, but we thought these screens might soothe the pain a bit. Check out our updated gallery below for a peek at the unlockable ability-absorbing character and more.%Gallery-3278%
Alisha Karabinus12.17.2007
Crisis Core coming to the U.S. March 25
Who's having the best day ever? Nerds. That's who. Not only was their beloved NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams the belle of the new release ball, their spirits can now truly take flight with the news that Final Fantasy VII prequel Crisis Core is coming to American PSPs on March 25th. As you may already be aware, Square Enix's action RPG follows Zack while a part of SOLDIER as he meets Cloud, Sephiroth and others. With over 710,000 copies sold in Japan, we can't wait to get our hands on it. We could try to do a better job of outlining where Crisis Core falls in a chronological sense in the FFVII mythology, but it's a little more effort than we're able to put forth on a Monday, so "before the PlayStation game" will have to suffice. Take your little brother's head out of the toilet and ask him, we're sure he'll be able to explain it to you.
Justin McElroy12.17.2007Crisis Core heads stateside on March 25
Square Enix's epic Final Fantasy VII prequel is coming to the US at last! Square Enix confirmed today that the PSP exclusive will arrive on March 25th. The game follows the adventures of Zack and his life as part of SOLDIER. Along the way, he'll meet familiar faces, like Cloud, Sephiroth and more. Crisis Core has been rated T by the ESRB for Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes and Violence. Check out the official website here. [Thanks, Joe!] %Gallery-6657%
Andrew Yoon12.17.2007
Final Fantasy XI hacked; Square-Enix hides behind policy
Numerous reports have come in concerning the recent hacking of Final Fantasy XI player accounts, with the concomitant liquidation of assets, leaving many users without gear and gil. Although complaints to the game admins have been many and passionate, Square-Enix seems to be employing a strategy of claiming that the hacked users are somehow to be found at fault for downloading keylogging software, or somehow allowing their account information to be taken by malicious hackers. There is an interesting theory circulating that the attacks are in response to S-E's crackdown on real money trading (or RMT) activities, which in general drive up inflation of in-game economies. It's been supposed that " ... RMT have decided for Christmas to meet demands for the people who buy the games currency (gil) to hack droves of veteran characters and sell everything of value in an attempt to meet the demand with the least amount of labor as possible", to quote player Sparthos.Interestingly, many of the hacked account holders place the inception of these attacks as occurring shortly after the release of FFXI's newest expansion, Wings of the Goddess. If there is a connection, it might be possible for there to be some weak code in the expansion that allows a hack of this nature to occur. With S-E's refusal to acknowledge legitimate grievances on the part of the players, however, it's not likely that we'll have this either confirmed or denied. We'll keep an eye on this story and see how it develops.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Akela Talamasca12.17.2007
Rumor: Wii games face disappointing first day sales in Japan
This seems to be becoming a trend, but the handful of Wii games that were released this week in Japan are reported to have had poor first day sales. They were all third-party titles, which is also somewhat worrisome. Here's a look at the numbers: Chocobo's Dungeon (Square Enix) - 30,000 (30% sell through of initial amount shipped) NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Sega) - 7,000 (10% sell through) Soul Calibur Legends (Bandai Namco) - 5,000 (10% sell through) We Love Golf (Capcom) - 4,000 (10% sell through) Shikigami no Shiro III (Arc System Works) - 500 Granted, these are only rumored first day sales, and we'll have to wait until later in the week to get a better grip on the situation, but as of now it doesn't look good.So, what do we make of these numbers? If they're correct, is it bad news for the Wii and third-party developers, or just more evidence that Japan is shying away from console gaming? While the latter is certainly a factor, third parties certainly can't be happy to see low numbers. However, it's way too early to ring a death knell for any of these games, even if these numbers are correct. We'll just have to wait and see how these games perform in the next few weeks.[Via Cubed3]
Candace Savino12.16.2007
Chronicling the Young King and the Promised Land with goodies galore
Another trailer has popped up for (deep breath) Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Young King and the Promised Land, which introduces two of game's main characters. Aside from that (and some pretty Wii Ware graphics), though, this true-to-form Square Enix trailer doesn't really show us much in terms of gameplay. Still, the mystery of it all is enough to make us want it, and we're really looking forward to the coming of Wii Ware ... since, you know, we hate money and want to get rid of it as fast as possible.Also, the game has stopped bumming off the offical Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles website, as its own official site launched this week. You can check it out here, if you feel so inclined.If that's not enough to quell your burning desire for Promised Land goodness (insatiable pigs, the lot of you), check after the break for some Famitsu scans.
Candace Savino12.16.2007Extended trailers for Final Fantasy XIII and XIII Versus on Japanese DVD
Remorselessly ripped from the special features of CLOUD, a Japanese DVD named after Final Fantasy VII's spiky-haired protagonist, these extended trailers for Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII Versus (waiting just behind the jump) are pretty spectacular. We're willing to look beyond the lack of pointy hats and crystals, as we're aching to play the system's first offering from RPG powerhouse Square Enix.Does it look like 13 will be your unlucky number? Don't worry, the next Final Fantasy franchise is just a decade away.
Griffin McElroy12.15.2007
Square Enix announces Final Fantasy IV sequel!
... for cell phones. In February, Square Enix will release Final Fantasy IV: The After -- Return to the Moon for FOMA 903i and better cell phones on NTT DoCoMo's network, with a release on au's phones to follow a month later. The game stars Theodore, a descendent of reformed Dark Knight Cecil, and takes place on the moon. None of the things we just said matter, because those cell phones are way more powerful than anything we've got outside Japan, and we are approximately 0% likely to see this game, ever.Yes, it is a crime and an insult that this game is not on the DS. Like it or not, cell phones are pretty much the only mobile device that Japan has more of than DSes, and the only device for which Square Enix could farm out a cheapo sequel to a major Final Fantasy game and get away with it.
JC Fletcher12.13.2007
Options for gamers in Final Fantasy IV
We recently discussed some of the other new elements in Final Fantasy IV, but the math mini-games and the event theater aren't the only things we have to look forward to (besides an awesome game). This time around, options are being throw in; for example, if you don't like the voice acting? Turn it off! There's a setting in the configuration screen. And for those gamers who hate rewatching a cut-scene ten times (I doubt I'm alone in this), they're skippable if you so desire. Anyway, you can always rewatch them at your leisure in the event theater!%Gallery-3278%
Alisha Karabinus12.13.2007
Five gifts that PAL gamers should import this Christmas
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Five_gifts_that_PAL_gamers_should_import_this_Christmas'; Gaming sites are inundated with holiday gift guides at the end of the year, listing the best and most popular games that everyone pretty much already has (or knows about). Well, we're not going in for that this year. Our gift guide will help you find the best gifts in categories the other sites won't cover -- because we just made them up. Nintendo's indifference towards PAL regions is infamous, but there's arguably less room for complaining when it comes to the DS. See, the DS is (and we do not use this phrase lightly) an importer's dream. It doesn't faff around with region-specific software, there's a huge library of diverse and interesting NTSC-only titles, and the games themselves are cheap. As in, cheaper than they'll be when they arrive in the UK/Europe/Australia six months from now. Frankly, we can't think of a good reason for you not to import. Which brings us to our latest anti-guide, featuring the five DS-related gifts that PAL regions won't be seeing until 2008 at the earliest -- if ever. All deserve to be imported without hesitation, so read on fellow PAL folk, and prep that credit card!
Chris Greenhough12.12.2007
Hori summons an accessory set to complement Final Fantasy IV's release
Another major RPG release for the DS, another Hori accessory set. This latest bundle for Final Fantasy IV's 3D remake comes packed with a trio of items you can buy to showcase your fanboyism and poor money management skills -- a protective system case, an extendable stylus, and an attachable screen wipe bearing the image of a chibi Rydia, FFIV's green-haired summoner. Like the game, this kit won't be available in Japan until December 20th, but import shop Play Asia is already taking preorders, charging $17.90 plus shipping. Gather your party, stock up on potions, and travel past the post break for more images from this official accessory set.
Eric Caoili12.12.2007
Fantasy, math, and theater
It must be Final Fantasy IV update day! Jeux-France has some screens of some of the new additions to the franchise's fourth installment's DS version, like the event theater for viewing cutscenes, and a math mini-game that promises to unlock a new character. Yes, you read that correctly -- they've gone and put math all up in our Final Fantasy. Why, God? Why?We will say this, however: math is still better than blitzball. We'd rather do calculus than play blitzball ever, ever again. Really. Bring on the math. And check out the new screens in our gallery below.%Gallery-3278%
Alisha Karabinus12.11.2007
Square wins plagiarism case against Korean music video
Imitation isn't only the sincerest form of flattery, it's also the most legally actionable. At least it is to Square Enix, which recently won a plagiarism case against South Korean music video producer Fantom to the tune of 16 million won (approx. $17,400).The case centers on the video for the song Temptation Sonata, in which live actors recreate a scene from Square Enix's animated movie, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. According to a judge for the Seoul Central District Court, the video "illegally used 80% of the storyline, setting, characters and their styles of dress and their demeanors," from the movie scene. We're not sure how the judge came to such an exact statistic, but who are we to argue with such an official sounding pronouncement?A comparison of the videos (both viewable below the break) shows much more than a passing similarity between the two, and Square was definitely within its rights taking legal action. That said, we have to wonder what Square Enix felt it had to gain from a court case. Is this video really hurting the company's ability to milk insane amounts of money out off the Final Fantasy franchise? Does seeing the video makes someone less likely to buy a copy of Advent Children? What's next, a legal case against the makers of College Saga? We just hope the negative PR associated with this case is worth the massive $17,000 pay day Square Enix made off of it.
Kyle Orland12.11.2007
DQ Swords slashes wallets in February
Word hits that North American gamers can get their Dragon Quest fix come February 26th, when Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors releases to hungry fans. And, Dragon Quest fans are their own kind of breed of hungry fans, eagerly clawing and destroying anything in their path to that game. We suggest you stay locked indoors when that day comes. For any of you who might have forgotten exactly what the game is like, check out some videos and screens for the game. And, care to comment on whether you're looking forward to this or not? Are you hoping for a more traditional Dragon Quest game on the Wii sometime in the future?
David Hinkle12.11.2007
Final Fantasy IV Japanese site rolls out the updates
The Japanese website for Final Fantasy IV has updated with new goodies. First off, is an update to the character section, which describes a lot of the game's characters. There is also the download section, which has some sweet wallpapers available. Three of those wallpapers are of in-game characters, with the last new wallpaper available being one kickass piece of concept art. So, head on over and check the new stuff out.[Via Go Nintendo]
David Hinkle12.11.2007An epic Star Ocean trailer
Square-Enix sure knows how to pull those emotional strings. The upcoming PSP exclusive Star Ocean: The First Departure is reviving the RPG franchise with brand new graphics and fully voiced and animated cutscenes. Once again, they're so pretty that we'd much rather watch the game than play. There's no word on a US release yet, but we're pretty sure that Square-Enix enjoys making money, and they'll be more than happy to give it to hungry American gamers some time next year.
Andrew Yoon12.10.2007
Dragon Quest Swords unsheathed Feb. 26
And be sure to have your brain thank us for the last-minute headline edit which saw the removal "unshwiithed." It's best we use a concise sentence to inform you that Dragon Quest Swords is, in fact, a Wii game due for release in North America on February 26th, 2008. Oh, and there's a subtitle too: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors. Where most games would settle for just a masked queen or a tower of mirrors, Square Enix goes the extra mile and gives you both for the price of one game. Watch out, Orange Box! As for the game itself, the press release dutifully reminds us that it's essentially a foray into first-person fencing, placing "a mighty blade, protective shield and special attacks all in the palm of your hand." We're not sure how much of a chance you stand with such teeny tiny weaponry, but hardened Dragon Quest fans should do alright.
Ludwig Kietzmann12.10.2007
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days gets its tease on
Following its participation at Jump Festa, there isn't much of anything new to report on regarding the upcoming Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for the DS. That is, except that there is a new teaser site for the game. But, as with the game itself, there isn't anything new there ... yet. We're suggesting you get your bookmark on, as it's bound to be updated in the near future with juicy screens and tidbits of information.[Via Go Nintendo]
David Hinkle12.10.2007
Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon commercials are high-budgetedly adorable
Square Enix has updated their Chocobo's Dungeon: Toki-Wasure no Meikyuu homepage with two versions of a really cute commercial. We know it's Square Enix and everything, but we're still a bit taken aback by the high production values on display in this ad (accessible from the homepage via the "movie" link). It's a Wii sequel to a spinoff series that we thought was a low-budget, low-key affair. The FMVs are actually really nice!But mostly we just wanted to post about the commercials so we could post this picture. We totally cheated by snapping the screenshot mid-blink, but we think the resemblance is uncanny. [Via Dengeki]
JC Fletcher12.08.2007
Kingdom Hearts playable at Jump Festa
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/New_DS_Kingdom_Hearts_playable_at_Jump_Festa'; We knew the upcoming Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days would be at Jump Festa, but before, we thought there would be only a carefully prepared (and short) trailer hidden away behind closed doors. Not so! Apparently, the highly anticipated title will actually be playable at this month's event. Even better? Multiplayer mode will be on display. That's a huge difference from a hidden trailer, and we can't wait to see what is unveiled for the next DS game in the franchise.
Alisha Karabinus12.07.2007