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Exit DS delayed, escapes to November
by Jason Dobson 
{ Oct 2nd 2008 at 9:00PM }
Not to fret, however, for while the game will miss its previous release date on October 7, publisher Square Enix seems confident that the escape artist's puzzle-adventure exploits will be on store shelves on November 4. No reason was given for the delay, though we like to think that when it comes to Mr. ESC, sometimes you just can't keep a good escapologist down.
[Via press release]
Chrono Trigger turns back DS clock on November 25
by Jason Dobson { Aug 18th 2008 at 4:45PM }
Giving players plenty to keep them busy while fighting off the adverse effects of tryptophan, Chrono Trigger's DS debut promises new dungeons, touchable controls and an arena mode. Additionally, as the RPG keeps with the original's pixelated sense of style, Square Enix has all but ensured that Thanksgiving 2008 will play out much the same way as it did some thirteen years prior, as we ignore seldom seen family members in favor of the more interesting trio of Crono, Lucca and Frog.
Square Enix E3 lineup loaded with sequels, remakes
by Jason Dobson { Jul 9th 2008 at 12:00PM }
- Chrono Trigger (DS; Holiday 2008)
- Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (DS; September 16)
- Final Fantasy IV (DS; July 22)
- Infinite Undiscovery (Xbox 360; September 2)
- Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes (iPod; Now Available)
- The Last Remnant (Xbox 360, PS3; Winter for Xbox 360, TBA for PS3)
- Star Ocean: First Departure (PSP; October 21)
- Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PSP; January 6)
- Star Ocean: The Last Hope (Xbox 360; 2009)
- Exit DS (DS; October 7)
- The Legend of Kage 2 (DS; October 7)
Dissidia: Final Fantasy script longer than Crisis Core's
by Alan Tsang { Jul 1st 2008 at 5:00PM }
Another Japanese magazine, Dengeki Playstation, published yet another interview with the Dissdia: Final Fantasy team. The gang consisting of producer Tetsuya Normura, senior director Takeshi Arakawa and planning director Mitsunori Takahashi were present to answer some burning questions fans had about the game.
Takahashi started off by stating only 20% of the game has been shown thus far and a "solid release date" will be announced at an event in August. He asserts that fans who are comfortable with the original RPGs should be a-okay with Dissidia, which is labeled an "Action-RPG plus competitive fighting." Storywise, Nomura said he made Tidus' counterpart Jecht rather than Seymour because Seymour lacked a "proper connection" with Tidus. Arakawa then assured us they are still in the process of "fine tuning the original story details behind the characters' births, relationships, interactions."
Arakawa also mentioned an online feature tentatively named "Battling Community" where the focus is "being connected to others trying to discover their own merits" and less focus on "things like battle strength/ranking." Finally, he disclosed a rather startling fact: "the script is double the length of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII." Read the entire translated interview here.
Takahashi started off by stating only 20% of the game has been shown thus far and a "solid release date" will be announced at an event in August. He asserts that fans who are comfortable with the original RPGs should be a-okay with Dissidia, which is labeled an "Action-RPG plus competitive fighting." Storywise, Nomura said he made Tidus' counterpart Jecht rather than Seymour because Seymour lacked a "proper connection" with Tidus. Arakawa then assured us they are still in the process of "fine tuning the original story details behind the characters' births, relationships, interactions."
Arakawa also mentioned an online feature tentatively named "Battling Community" where the focus is "being connected to others trying to discover their own merits" and less focus on "things like battle strength/ranking." Finally, he disclosed a rather startling fact: "the script is double the length of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII." Read the entire translated interview here.
[Via Forever Fantasy]
The Last Remnant official Japanese website now open
by Alan Tsang { Jun 30th 2008 at 3:30PM }
The official site of the The Last Remnant is now online. There's a trailer, a prologue, information on the battle system, 4 characters with voices and 12 screenshots. You can even choose between three different songs as your background music. The game prologue mentions Remnants as ancient artifacts of awesome power but unknown origins, and that mankind's usage of them has caused "a rift in the world's balance." Isn't there always a rift in the world's balance in every Square game?The game is to be a 360 timed-exclusive supposedly because of a delay caused by the Unreal Engine the game is using. The screenshots seems to focus on the environment, landscape and building architecture of the game. The style also reminds us of Final Fantasy XII. So, still looking forward to The Last Remnant or bitter over the delay?
Dissidia: Final Fantasy website updated with story and characters
by Alan Tsang { Jun 26th 2008 at 2:15AM }
[Thanks, salika!]
Kingdom Hearts composer Yoko Shimomura talks PS3 musical freedom
by Jason Dobson { Jun 2nd 2008 at 8:50AM }
According to Shimomura, who is responsible for the tunes we'll be humming along to in Square Enix's upcoming Final Fantasy Versus XIII for the PS3, composing on Sony's current platform is much less limiting than it was in previous generations. "With the PlayStation 2, sound production...was a constant battle with memory and limitations," she recalled, adding that "with the PlayStation 3, I'm expecting to have it sound the way I please, without limitations." It's encouraging to hear someone at any level talk about creating content on the PS3 that doesn't involve the words "difficult" or "costly." However, with Square Enix continuing to play coy with regards to when its decade of Final Fantasy will actually kick off, it may be some time before our ears ring with the fruits of Yoko Shimomura's musical labor.
Final Fantasy IV trailer gets English subtitles
by Griffin McElroy { May 24th 2008 at 4:30PM }
We here at Joystiq HQ are, as you might imagine, savvy world travelers, and therefore have a vast knowledge of the languages of many countries. Swedish, Italian, Esperanto -- one of us (we shall not reveal who) is even fluent in Klingon. Unfortunately, Japanese is one of our weaker subjects, thus a majority of the promotional material for Squeenix and Matrix Software's (the guys who made the DS remake of FFIII) recreation of the 1991 SNES role-playing classic Final Fantasy II (or IV, for purists) has largely gone over our heads.
Luckily for us, this astonishing trailer created from promotional footage already released in Japan comes with English subtitles -- not that words would be required to appreciate the visuals featured in this preview. Regardless of whether those CGI cutscenes make their way into the handheld package, the game's 3D models look fantastic, filling us with unbridled desire for some old-school crystal hunting. July 22 can not come soon enough.
Dragon Quest IV DS remake coming September 16
by Jason Dobson { May 21st 2008 at 8:30AM }
Even more interesting, the site also shows off logos for upcoming remakes Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride and Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie as well, though sans release dates, all but assuring that North American role-playing enthusiasts will be neck-deep in metal slimes for the foreseeable future.
FF Tactics Advances on Europe this June
by Chris Greenhough { May 19th 2008 at 3:00PM }
There's simply no in-between when it comes to PAL localizations of Square Enix games: they either take absolutely ages to arrive, or no time at all. Happily, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance 2: Grimoire of the Rift will fall into the latter category, with the game appearing across Europe on June 27th, three days after its U.S. debut. We're attaching another gold star to your record, Square! Nintendo and every other company out there who puts Euro gamers through the mill far too frequently: take note!If you're still too impatient to wait another five weeks, you may want to keep your thumbs and brain busy with a close alternative -- and conveniently enough, we have a whole bunch of recommendations for you to try out.
Gallery: Final Fantasy Tactics A2
[Via press release]
Joystiq impressions: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King (WiiWare)
by Zack Stern { Apr 15th 2008 at 5:45PM }
If you think upgrades and management are RPG highlights, maybe you'll like My Life as a King. Your young character returns to an abandoned castle to reclaim his dynasty after his dad left in exile. Your job is to spruce up the place, adding new shops that attract and upgrade townsfolk. Some buildings just allow for more people to move in, while weapon shops, magic guilds, and other structures help advance your people.
But with limited coffers, you'll have to send these citizens on quests to raid dungeons and return with more resources to keep building. Force a weak party into a dangerous situation, and they'll crawl back, beaten-down and loot-free. Send a well-equipped party into battle, and they'll bring back treasure.
Final Fantasy IV hits North American DS on July 22
by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 10th 2008 at 1:30PM }
It appears Nintendo Power was right on the money with a July release -- as one would hope they would be. Other upgrades the title boasts are a remixed score by composer Nobuo Uematsu and "head-to-head battle" via local wireless. The game will retail for $40 and certainly makes for the perfect game to avoid conversation during the end-of-summer family road trip.
Star Ocean 4 scans unveil main character artwork
by Majed Athab { Apr 2nd 2008 at 3:00PM }
Aside from that, however, nothing else major has been revealed about this Star Ocean prequel. We do get a brief look at the in-game graphics though. As far as we can tell, the game is shaping up nicely. See the other scans at Gamersyde.
Final Fantasy IV coming to North America ... maybe
by Jason Dobson { Apr 1st 2008 at 1:30PM }
Role-playing fans can slip on their dancing shoes and party like it's 1991. A new interview with Final Fantasy IV director Takashi Tokita in the latest Nintendo Power seems to point to the game's recent DS remake being localized for North American audiences. Oh sure, he doesn't come right out and confirm the localization -- where's the drama in that? -- but given that the article comes peppered with English language screens and the game itself is featured on the cover, we're certainly leaning towards believing that the RPG will soon be getting some domestic love.Tokita also toys with our emotions, speaking to the possibility of a remake of SNES RPG classic Chrono Trigger provided "the demand is great enough." Though like coming down hard off a caffeine high, he sends us crashing back down to earth by adding that he really wants to "create new titles and not just series installments and remakes." Yours is a cruel love, mon cher.
[Via DS Fanboy]
WiiWare Japan launch: Trailers and gameplay
by David Hinkle { Mar 25th 2008 at 10:30AM }
Thanks to the good folks at NintendoWorldReport, we've got some videos for you from some of the launch titles for Wii Ware in Japan. With it hitting Japanese Wii consoles earlier today, we imagine Japanese gamers are doing what they usual do: enjoy being alive and laughing at the rest of the world. You can't blame them. We would be jerks, too, if we had it that good.
Anywho, hit up the video above for your first taste of Wii Ware goodness. Then head past the break for the rest.
