E3 2005 : Square Enix Unveils Massive Lineup
E3 2005 : Square Enix Unveils Massive Lineup
Square Enix have given us a look at their line-up for E3, which centers heavily on the Final Fantasy series across a wide range of platforms. They’re even taken their FF MMORPG to the PS2 to let console owners go head to head against PC users… something I’ve been gagging for a developer to do for ages!
So, without further ado, let’s have a look at the goodies they’ll be showing at E3:
For the PS2 only we’ve got:
DIRGE OF CERBERUS -FINAL FANTASY VII for the PS2 is the third installment in the COMPILATION OF FINAL FANTASY VII. Taking place three years after the original PS one game console title, gamers follow Vincent Valentine's journey as he uncovers shocking truths never revealed in Midgar. Vincent is connected to recent attacks, and he may be the only one who can save this shattered world. When the world is engulfed in darkness, his gun will toll a dreadful dirge...
DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is the latest installment of the immensely popular DRAGON QUEST series that has sold over 35 million units worldwide and is the first to be released for the PS2. Characters designed by Akira Toriyama are brought to life by "cel-shading," bringing gamers of all ages into a world straight out of Japanese anime. In DRAGON QUEST VIII, old meets new, as classic gameplay is married to sumptuous graphics, delivering the kind of sweeping adventure that only DRAGON QUEST games can offer.
FINAL FANTASY XII for the PS2 is the story of a world called Ivalice. Our tale begins in the Royal City of Rabanastre, against a backdrop of impending war. Rabanastre is the heart and capital of Dalmasca, a kingdom recently conquered by the neighboring Archadian Empire. The appointment of a new imperial consul gives the main character Vaan the chance he's been waiting for, but an unexpected turn of events puts Vaan and his friend Penelo alongside the sky pirate Balthier and his partner, Fran. Meanwhile, Princess Ashe, the sole surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne, struggles to restore freedom to her people. Return to an age when magic was commonplace and airships plied the skies, crowding out the heavens. Return to Ivalice.
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir is the fast-paced action RPG prequel to FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST and the Broken Angel. The second installment in the FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST series brings an enhanced battle system, cel-shaded graphics, thirty minutes of original animation and an enthralling storyline to the PS2. Based on the wildly popular Japanese animation and comic of the same name, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2 follows the continuing journey of two brothers on their life-changing quest.
KINGDOM HEARTS II for the PS2 follows Sora, Donald, and Goofy on their continuing quest to find their friends and King Mickey. Haley Joel Osment (Secondhand Lions, The Sixth Sense) reprises his role as the main character Sora and is joined by Ming-Na (ER, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within) who voices Mulan and James Woods (Be Cool) who returns as the villain Hades, along with a slew of soon to be announced celebrity voices. It has been a year since the events of KINGDOM HEARTS CHAIN OF MEMORIES. The story begins in Twilight Town, a quiet burg nestled between night and day. Sora and friends are joined by a vibrant new cast of characters, including the king himself! In the effort to help Mulan and stop the villain Hades' devious plots, they will encounter countless dangers both familiar and brand-new.
RADIATA STORIES is the latest PS2 fantasy RPG by tri-Ace, developer of Valkyrie Profile and the Star Ocean series for the PS2. An emotional story about the conflict between humans and fairy creatures is complemented by a new gameplay system that draws the player deep into the game. Enter a never-before-seen living, breathing world where all of the characters live their own lives and the passage of time brings about remarkable changes. Your choices determine which of over 150 individuals will lend you a hand in your journey. Precise, easy-to-use controls allow you to add strategies to real-time battles through various changes in your party's formation.
Romancing SaGa for the PS2 is the latest in the legendary SaGa series, blending technology and creative vision together to produce a world of wonder. A thousand years ago, Saruin was imprisoned. But the barriers that contain him are weakening, and his foreboding shadow threatens to swallow the world of Mardias once again. Who will rid the world of Saruin's scourge? A mysterious minstrel sometimes guides your party to adventure and at other times protects it from shadow. Occasionally he forces upon you grave choices that will change the world in which you travel and twist the plots you encounter. The free-roaming scenario system gives you a choice of eight intriguing playable main characters, each with their own adventures and goals.
Online for PC and PS2 users:
FINAL FANTASY XI is evolving yet again. With an ever-expanding online world and new and improved features, Vana'diel is now bigger and better than ever! Gamers can look forward to the continuing story in the Chains of Promathia expansion pack, explore new areas such as Al'Taieu and the Grand Palace of Hu'Xzoi, and engage in battles using new spells and abilities. In addition, never-before-seen items and equipment, new quests and new systems like guild points and Ballista rankings await players. FINAL FANTASY XI is the world's first and only cross-platform MMORPG (allowing PS2 and Windows players to play together in the same world). Although technology has advanced, FINAL FANTASY XI has kept pace and continues to grow, developing brand-new gameplay features while delivering frequent updates to meet players' needs.
FRONT MISSION Online.Since 1995, gamers have been captivated by the strategic combat, giant humanoid vehicles ("wanzers"), deep storylines, and real-world settings of the FRONT MISSION series. Now, the series goes online for the first time in its history with FRONT MISSION Online for the PS2 and Windows (Japan only, North America platforms TBD). Join the O.C.U. or the U.C.S. and battle for control of Huffman Island. Fight alone with NPC backup or create a battle group with other players and experience the ultimate in teamplay combat. Actions in battle directly influence the chosen nation's domination of Huffman - and with a high enough rank, you can issue missions to other players and dramatically shape the outcome of the war!
For handhelds:
Before Crisis -FINAL FANTASY VII- Before Crisis takes place six years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII. Shinra, Inc. has increased its power and profitability, its influence extending even to the government. Hidden from the public, the Turks, an elite squad of Shinra operatives, take care of Shinra's dirty work. Civil unrest grows as people become concerned about Shinra drawing mako energy directly from the planet. The rebel group AVALANCHE is formed to stop the corporation. This real-time action game allows gamers to enter the world of FINAL FANTASY VII through a mobile phone. Play with multiple players over the network, recruit new team members to SOLDIER, and carry out classified operations to stop the AVALANCHE menace.
FINAL FANTASY II Now you can experience the excitement of the acclaimed FINAL FANTASY II on your mobile phone! A long-lived peace is at an end. The emperor of Palamecia has called forth monsters from the underworld and begun his campaign for world conquest. A rebel army arose in the Kingdom of Fynn to thwart the emperor's plans, but the rebels' castle fell to an all-out assault by the empire. Four youths from Fynn also found themselves fleeing the imperial forces. They had lost their parents at the hands of the empire. But their escape wasn't over...
FINAL FANTASY VII Snowboarding Experience the non-stop 3D action and speed of the popular FINAL FANTASY VII mini-game, FINAL FANTASY VII Snowboarding, on the go! Rack up points in "Score Attack" mode by dodging obstacles and catching balloons. Unlock intermediate and advanced downhill courses to put your skills to the test. Unlock the "Time Attack" mode to challenge your own speed records. Responsive controls and a new spin jump move are optimized for mobile play.
FRONT MISSION 2089 The year is 2089, and the war is brewing between the O.C.U. and U.C.S. Use your mobile phone to climb aboard giant humanoid armored vehicles called "wanzers" and fight for the nation of your choice. Experience an original storyline created exclusively for this mobile version in FRONT MISSION 2089.
HEXCITE FUSION As the minutes turn into hours, you'll realize that Hexcite Fusion's gameplay has you in its grasp! Shift your shapes and form your geometric strategy. Try playing with a friend in two-player mode or match wits against three different AI levels. 800,000 copies of the board game have shipped in both the U.S. and Japan! Consider yourself warned - don't pick up HEXCITE unless you've got the time to be furiously addicted!
Musashi Mobile Samurai In Musashi: Mobile Samurai, slice through hoardes of foes with your dual swords and fight your way to the top of the Tower of Five Rings. Square Enix's first 3D action title for mobile platforms is an original fast-paced adventure set in the world of the PS2 game, Musashi: Samurai Legend. Simple controls allow you to unleash a variety of deadly techniques, and dynamic camera angles and spectacular visual effects intensify the thrill of battle! You've never seen 3D action like this!
