News

Announced on the 7th of this month, the Final Fantasy game that some people love and others hate has reached the 500,000-user mark. Over a million characters have been created since launching in May of 2002.

So while some Final Fantasy fans may avoid the game, because of fees and being strictly on the computer, there is still a very healthy fanbase for FFXI.

Source: RPGamer

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I myself tried the game, but just couldn't get into it. It looks like fun, and it's easy enough to play, however I'm strictly a console gamer. I can see how someone who does like playing their games on the PC, and doesn't mind a monthly fee, would enjoy this game tremedously.

New details have surfaced about Squeenix's follow-up to their successful Kingdom Hearts title.

These details mainly focus on gameplay. The basic game mechanics will remain mostly unchanged in the sequel. One aspect that will have some changes is the summoning system, though. The changes will make it easier to use summons in a battle. There are also plans to rework the Gummi Ship.

There is still not even a Japanese release date for the game, however.

Source: RPGamer

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I have only played about two hours of KH1 or so, and it seemed like a really good action RPG. Hopefully, the sequel will be just as good (if not better) than the original. What I hope even more though is that I can finish KH1 before the second is released in the North America.

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, scheduled for release on February 9, 2004 on the Nintendo Gamecube, will be the first FF title released in the US on a Nintendo console since the 1994 release of Final Fantasy III US (aka FFVI).

Crystal Chronicles features a large emphasis on multiplayer gaming, supporting up to four players simultaneously via Gameboy Advance consoles linked to the Gamecube.

Gamespot features a collection of screenshots of the Japanese game release.

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The story sounds a little weak, the battle system has moved from turn-based to real-time, the magic system is apparently "item-based" like FFVIII, and Square wasn't even willing to give it an "official" spot in the series with a Roman numeral of its very own.

Thus, I'm a little skeptical about the game, but nevertheless would give it a shot, assuming I could find a Gamecube and GBA to borrow.

RPGamer has a few new screenshots of Final Fantasy XII

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Most of the new screenshots look to be from FMV sequences. If they're not shots of FMV, Squenix must have found some way to get some more out the rapidly aging PS2. I doubt that though.

The battle mode almost looks FMV-ish too though. We'll keep you informed of any new Final Fantasy XII screenshots or news as we find it.

News is flying out of Squenix's doors about Final Fantasy XII today. They revealed more information on both the staff and the storyline behind the game.

As previously known, Yasumi Matsuno is working as Director/Producer while Akihiko Yoshida did the character designs and is the 3D Map Director. Both men were heavily involved in Final Fantasy Tactics. Isamu Kamikokuryuo of Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy X is involved with the background art with Hideo Minaba behind the "Art Direction" (Minaba has previously worked on Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy IX).
Nubuo Uematsu returns for FFXII, but only in a limited role. He will focus on the main theme of the game as Hitoshi Sakimoto will be composing most of the game's soundtrack.

The game is currently about 70 percent done. Interesting to note is that Squenix is lowering the number of polygons of the character models slightly. They are doing this in an attempt to increase both the quality of the backgrounds and lighting affects and to make the in game animation smoother.

As R51 posted earlier, the title is set in Ivalice. Arcadia has just conquered country of Dalmasca. Ashe, the main heroine of the title and princess/heir apparent in Dalmasca, forms a rebel outfit lead by Vann, the main hero, in order to regain their independence.

Source: Games Are Fun

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I have never played FTT or FFTA (a crime I know, yes, but I will eventually), so the setting in Ivalice does not really bother me. It really isn't a surprise though with both Yasumi Matsuno and Akihiko Yoshida having ties to the game(s). The art in FFIX was both good and bad at the same time in my opinion. Hopefully Minaba will present more of the good this time around.

Games Are Fun have released some news that has the potential to annoy, if you are anything like me. Luckily, they wrapped it in some fairly interesting new screenshots and art from Final Fantasy XII. The highlights of the screenshots, to me anyway, are seeing the airship and chocobo shots, all of which are beautifully rendered (even though the chocobo has gotten a bit creepy-looking).

What's the bad news? Well, if you are a diehard Final Fantasy Tactics fan like I am, you may be saddened to learn that FFXII is set in Ivalice. Yes, Ivalice, as referenced in both FFT and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. According to the GAF article, the Ivalice is the one from FFTA, which based on my limited FFTA play seems to be very different than the one in which Ramza lived. However, if this turns out to be incorrect and Squenix plans to use FFT's Ivalice, it could be disasterous to the legend of FF Tactics. In this writer's humble opinion, of course.

Here's hoping for the best.