News

Yes, we all knew it was coming. Who couldn't? But now we have a real date: 22 July 2008. On top of that, the new site for the North American release is up and ready, with a pretty-cool splash page as well.

Unfortunately, AmaCoN doesn't yet have the title ready for preorder (merely the OST), but I'll keep everyone posted once it shows up.

From what I've seen and heard, this game is a must-play for DS owners. If anyone would like to buy me a DS, I'll be inclined to try it out and agree.

Source:
Square-Enix Blog

...but don't get too excited.

The continuation of Cecil's epic story probably isn't going to be within your reach. FFIV: The Big Whale Flies Again (okay, I completely made that title up; the real title is Final Fantasy IV the After - Return to the Moon) will appear in 2008 as a cellphone exclusive.

The story will follow the travails of Theodore, a young boy descended from Cecil's noble line.

Hey, at least we're getting FFIV DS, right?

Source: neogaf

Thanks to Crazyswordsman for the heads up!

My first reaction was a general blah to news of a sequel to any Final Fantasy game. Generally speaking, I don't think there's much room for two epic, world-shattering adventures in the same setting... and we've already seen the IQ-lowering power of FFX-2.

Then again, FFIV did leave some room for further development, and it sounds as though we're leaving the previous cast of characters behind. What do you think? Are we missing out on something?

Square Enix has added a bit more functionality to their official Final Fantasy IV DS website.

Along with a new movie debuted at the Tokyo Game Show in late September, the site also notes an official release date set at December 20 in Japan, and a starting price of 5,695 yen (about $50). A robust (and growing!) character bio section is available on the site, too, including in-game models for each of the characters.

Furthermore, underneath the "Spec" section of the flash site, Square Enix notes a full cast list for all the main characters of the game, leading to speculation that the upcoming DS remake of FFIV will include voice acting.

In the latest tidbit regarding Final Fantasy IV DS, Square Enix has opened auditions to find a vocalist for the game's title song, Theme of Love.

Auditions are open to anyone 18 and older, regardless of gender and experience. Applicants are required to send in a basic profile, self introduction, photo, and demo tape. And, in the spirit of the auditions, Theme of Love composer Nobuo Uematsu as well as Final Fantasy IV Director Takashi Tokita have recorded their thoughts and discussions regarding the topic of love. Radio streams of this discussion are available on Square Enix's website.


Sources:
GA Graphic
Dengeki Online

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I'm tempted to record a demo tape and send it in. Too bad (or, good thing) I'm very aware of how awful my singing voice is. :P

Nonetheless, this seems a magnanimous choice for Square Enix to make. I'd imagine any FFIV fan, diehard or not, would be thrilled to have their own voice gracing the title sequence of the game. And therefore Square is sure to amass quite a few entires to work through after their July 31 deadline.

On another note, and as a followup to one of our previous FFIV DS newsposts, a few more Shonen Jump scans of the FFIV DS teaser pages are available at French gaming site JeuxFrance.

The first trailer for Final Fantasy IV DS has been released, so finally we've got some more visuals of the remake of Final Fantasy IV, easily one of my favorite games, and I'm fairly certain most other RPG player's as well.

The FMV looks incredibly beautiful, it's seeming that this will become the DEFINITIVE version of FFIV. I love 2D as much as the next old school gamer, but the kind of emotion and nostalgia that this game instills in me, i'm incredibly excited to play through it one more time in the full 3D environment.

Source: Game Trailers

After a few days of rumors and speculation, confirmation regarding a new remake of Final Fantasy IV has been provided by Shonen Jump. With a page of screen shots and other information, there seems to be little doubt that Square-Enix is indeed working on a new version of their first Super Nintendo Final Fantasy.

The DS remake will reportedly use the same engine as Final Fantasy III DS. There's no word yet of a release outside of Japan, but, hopefully, details will be forthcoming in the next few days.

Source: ds fanboy via Ronin (thanks!)

Yeah, yeah, I know. Another remake! And this game just came out on the GBA less than two years ago! And aaaaaaah! AAAAAH! Square is doing ANOTHER REMAKE!

Capitalist scum aside, I have to admit that I'm excited about this. Final Fantasy IV was one of my favorite games (I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when Final Fantasy Chronicles was announced, back in the day), and reviving it with a fresh new style could be a very good thing. Maybe it's not the Square game that most deserves a remake, and maybe the remake will completely destroy a classic... but I can't help but hope that this will be terrific!