News

The release of Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, Square Enix's first game for the Nintendo GameCube (and Square's first for a Nintendo console since the Super Nintendo for that matter), has been pushed backed:

http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2003/031303f.html

The game was originally supposed to be released this spring in Japan.  As of right now though, a new date yet to be determined.  

The reason for the delay is that Square Enix does not feel the battle system is of good quality.  They are going to do a major overhaul to the system. Because of the possible significance of the changes, the delay could end up being quite lengthy.

Source: RPGamer

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While GameCube owners will probably be a bit disappointed by this news, the delay should be beneficial for the game in the long run.  Battle systems are an integral part of a game.  One of the main issues that people have with Final Fantasy VIII is its battle system.  There are those who will never play the game again just because of the battle system it used.  For Square to hold back the game to rework Crystal Chronicles' system to something they believe in being of higher quality can only a positive delay.  

This is a direct quote from an earlier RPGamer news update concerning the battle system of the game as it was before the changes:

The battle system supports up to four players, whose stats and mini-map are displayed on a Game Boy Advance screen, and uses corresponding buttons to either attack, defend, or use a special skill. The characters' hit points are displayed as hearts. Magic Stones will be required to use spells in the game; these stones are represented by spheres floating above the characters' heads.

You can read the article in its entirety here: http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q4-2002/122102d.html.  From the sound of that quote its appears like the battle system was Secret of Mana-ish in style.  We'll just have to wait and see how the new system will turn out.

Square has shipped 1.8 million copies to japanese retail stores.
Over 200 fans were waiting outside of Shibuya Tsutaya's ( A retail store in Tokyo ) at 7 a. m. to get their copies.

Square's President Mr. Wada Youichi, Enix's president Keiji Honda and Koda Kumi, the singer of the main theme, were on hand to greet the assembled fans.

Source :  Square Insider

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Wow, 200+ is a  good bit of people to be waiting outside a single store for one game..
Geesh, I wonder how fast this game will sell out it's first shipment.

I wonder if I could get my hands on an import soon.

According to RPGFan and the Japanese site Quiter, Kingdom Hearts 2 has been confirmed by Square to be in devolpement.

No other details have been released yet, except for the KH ending teaser, and the Deep Dive FMV in KH : Final Mix, though you can't get much out of them.

Source : RPGfan Article

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Ok, raise your hand if you didn't think this game would get a sequel? :-P

I'm really looking forward to this. From the rumors that have been circulating from the two hidden FMVs, this one will have square's complete control. A darker world, with darker characters. Who doesn't want to see a Dark Mickey?

Popular Japanese gaming magazine recently reviewed the upcoming Final Fantasy X sequel:

http://www.gamesarefun.com/cgi-bin....,33794,

The game was given scores of 9, 9, 8 and 8 by the magazine's four reviewers for a very respectable 34/40 and a Gold Award.  In comparison, the original FFX received a three scores of 10 and one 9 when it was reviewed.  

Games Are Fun also has some new screenshots of the game HERE


Source:Games Are Fun

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I don't think one can't base if he or she will enjoy a game solely based on how a magazine reviews a particular game. It is a good initial sign at least.  There are still those who are not even willing to even give this game a chance.  Hopefully, the review will help lighten some of these people up (specifically you 19 who voted "I think it'll be terrible" here: http://www.cavesofnarshe.com/polling/index.php?dispid=9&vo=9)

Pop Idol Yuna aside, I'm willing to give the game a chance.  Another one of the Final Fantasy games might have led to a better sequel in my opinion, *coughFF7cough* but I'll at least rent it.  I enjoyed FFX's story.  Plus they are bringing back the job system.  I think that just might be interesting.  We'll just have to wait and see how the game will end up turning out.  There isn't any reason (even if it is an "Oh my God" Final Fantasy sequel) to not give a game a chance before it has even been released to the public.

And a question for those among the "19" mentioned earlier:  Why will this game be so terrible? I have complete respect for your opinions, but I'm just trying to feel out the reasoning behind your feelings.  Discussions are always nice and encouraged. :-)

In a recent issue of VJump, There are two pages dedicated to FF: Crystal Chronicles. They show new artwork of the main characters and a moogle carrying a letter.

Here are the Scans :

Scan 1
Scan 2
Source: Square Insider

Apparently Mog Central has returned to the Final Fantasy world, with Moogles in Multi-Colored trousers and no arms.

Also, the skills / magic system seems to be based on the FF7 Materia System. You will be able to add various crystals to gain new magic and skills, and also to increase your stats.
Source 2: Square Insider

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The moogles in these scans scare me. They look like some kinda pieced together genetic creature or something.

The Materia-esque gameplay will make this game really interesting, IMO. Giving it a depth to the character customization and allowing everyone to have a differnt type of character if they wanted. I wonder if they will have to have a Phoenix-Final Attack combo. heh.

Shareholders of Square and Enix met in Tokyo yesterday to vote on the merger agreement between the two companies. As expected, it was approved.

http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q1-2003/021303a.html

The companies will each publish one more game under their separate titles (Final Fantasy X-2 from Square and Dragon Quest Monsters III: Caravan Heart from Enix)  Their companies will officially start their operations together on April 1st under the title of the Square Enix Corporation.  The first title published under their new name will be Vision of Ziraat, the Final Fantasy XI expansion set.  

The merger will help reduce costs by allowing Square to no longer be force to publish games through Sony Computer Entertainment. Instead, they can just do it through means already in existence at Enix.

Source: RPGamer


While this merger should be good because saves the two companies money, I think it will be even more important because of the creative infusion it should provide to each company.  In many's opinion, the Final Fantasy series has become stagnant in its recent releases.  Final Fantasy IX was a good game [especially after FFVIII (keep in mind that this is entirely my opinion )], but it was not great by any means.  It was just not all that memorable of a game especially after many of the previous incarnations of the series.  FFX had a very good plot, but it lacked in the area of gameplay.  There was not much you could not get by without just pressing the X button.  Hopefully, the best of both companies will shine in Final Fantasy XII when it is released.

On Enix's end, hopefully with the "Square" part added to their name, their games (which are usually of high quality) will be a bit more successful in the North American market.