Square Enix announces FPS for 360, codenamed 'Project Sylph'

by James Ransom-Wiley { Apr 6th 2006 at 3:25PM }

One more interesting tidbit was revealed at Microsoft Japan's recent press conference, it's codenamed, Project Sylph — Square Enix's latest development for the Xbox 360 — and it's not an RPG. Instead, Project Sylph was simply described as an arcade-style FPS, and then Square Enix pointed to E3, where further details will be released.

We can't help but feel a bit disappointed by this prospect. Microsoft's consoles have been overrun with FPS games. We thought the point of bringing Square Enix into the 360-picture was to grace the platform with some patented RPG flavor. Change is often good, but is Square Enix headed in the wrong direction with this one?

As FFantasy.com notes, sylph has dual meanings: 1) a slender, graceful woman (we're thinkin' Aeon Flux, pictured); and 2) a being that inhabits the air (in the Paracelsus philosophy). Any guesses?

Update: "The Sylph summon consists of several pixies that steal HP from the enemy and give it to the characters. In FF4, it only gave HP to the caster; in FF5, the entire party. In Tactics, Fairy did not steal HP, but did heal the entire party" [via Final Fantasy Compendium].

Tags: Microsoft Japan, MicrosoftJapan, Project Sylph, ProjectSylph, Square Enix, SquareEnix

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

White Rose Duelist @ Apr 6th 2006 3:32PM

Sylph does non-elemental damage to all enemies, then heals the party for an equal amount. If Rydia's HP are already full, her healing instead goes into MP.

ry @ Apr 6th 2006 3:36PM

Umm, "slender" is not the word I would use when referring to the animated version of aeon...

.ed @ Apr 6th 2006 3:37PM

sylph is German for FF7FPS!!

OMGWTFBBQ!!!11

LongshotX @ Apr 6th 2006 3:46PM

Damn man what's going on. The Xbox 360 is getting flooded with FPS. I love FPS's but this is getting out of hand. Microsoft needs to put these types of games in check.

Charles Garcia @ Apr 6th 2006 3:46PM

Sylph could also be a calling to the ships form as historically planes/ships/cars are compared to women.

PiratePete @ Apr 6th 2006 3:47PM

This is crap. As stated the whole reason Microsoft wooed and courted SquareEnix was to make Japanese quality and styled RPG's for the 360. Now they are sticking it to Microsoft by just putting out a lame FPS for them. WTH, is SquareEnix known for their great FPS games??? Have they even ever put one out before? This just goes to show that these Japanese companies are all in cahoots together. You think SquareEnix would ever create a great exclusive RPG for a FOREIGN (American) console. HAH! yeah right. Microsoft got the big shaft on this one.
They should of got it in writing.
(Yeah I know there supposed to be coming out with some type of RPG for the 360 some time but I'll believe it when I see it. Then we'll all see just how good it is.)

Lee @ Apr 6th 2006 3:52PM

I think I was just saying about the poorness of SE's previous "multi-platform" ness. For the Cube it was Crystal Chronicles, 360 got a bit luckier with a port of FFXI, and now it's getting an FPS?

I don't know, probably a completely different team, but I'm worried enough about the FFVII Dirge of Cerberus third person shooter.

Chris Remo @ Apr 6th 2006 3:59PM

I'm pretty sure the site you link to misinterpreted the announcement. I believe this is a space shooter, not an FPS.

meh @ Apr 6th 2006 4:00PM

I'm wonder when Microsoft will stop beating around the bush and actually get series about their console. They want to be on the top spot? They will need the top JRPGs.

Either buy out Square Enix, Atlus, and everyone else, or invest/fund in them enough to produce true, 100%, honest to god JRPGs that the gaming community locks into the PS2/3 for.

Anything less, and it is just pointless.

Thomas Crymes @ Apr 6th 2006 4:07PM

I think there is a miscommunication here.

I don't think this is an FPS. Rare has teamed up with Game Arts to make an arcade style shooter. IGN states it is a shooter. Who knows if there is a translation problem.

Game Arts had a game on the Sega Saturn called Sylpheed. It was a polygonal faux 3-D shooter. Sylph could be a reference to that game.

If this is indeed a throwback shooter, I am so there.

Twist @ Apr 6th 2006 4:13PM

I would love to see some SquareEnix RPG's for the 360 but I have also wanted Square to tackle the FPS market for year now so this could be very interesting. Of course I would also love to see SquareEnix take another shot at fighting games with something similar to Ehrgeiz but just featuring characters from their other games like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, etc.

Andrew @ Apr 6th 2006 4:15PM

Maybe it's an FPS with RPG elements, a la Deus Ex? Actually, I could dig a Japanese version of Deus Ex. The characters would probably be more memorable.

v0yce @ Apr 6th 2006 4:45PM

Umm...I'm pretty sure this is a space shotter. Something like Star Fox or Star Lancer. I believe its in the Silhpeed universe but not a traditional shmup like previous.

There's a vid floating around already.

TheBlunderbuss @ Apr 6th 2006 5:08PM

That picture
is gross.

Bigboy!" @ Apr 6th 2006 5:13PM

I think this is a shooter!
here is a video
source"
http://xboxyde.com/news_2753_en.html

SilverSurfer @ Apr 6th 2006 5:21PM

Project Syphilis: As a normal easy going guy your world is turned upside down when you learn one of your female playmates has infected you with ... SYPHILIS!

Sadness and shock turn to bitter anger as you discover she infected you knowingly. The rage you feel is not just for her, but for all humankind as you have lost faith in the good of all people. Knowing your time is limited you must equip yourself with the latest hi tech weaponry by infiltrating Home Depot and begin your rampage against humanity and Uber-Bitch herself.

But Uber-Bitch knows of your plans and if you are to have any hope of exacting revenge, you must look inside yourself to understand and harness the awesome power of...The Syphilis.

boots @ Apr 6th 2006 5:21PM

Pirate Pete:

Yes, Square Enix developed an FPS. It's called "Dirge of Cerberus:FF7", but as of now, it's out in Japan only. They'll release it soon in the west. (I heard somewhere that it is not an FPS anymore, if somebody would confirm that to be false or true, thanks)

Stephen @ Apr 6th 2006 5:33PM

I've seen the trailer at the press event. This is not a FPS at all. It's just a shooter. You have a third person view. It's sort of like an action RPG like ZOE on PS2 or the Macross game that appear on all platform.

I look forward to this game. I hope it will be good. I hope the rumours about the Chrono Trigger Sequel on 360 would be true too

Justin @ Apr 6th 2006 6:21PM

Smells like Einhander...

I also can't believe I'm the first one to mention that game. What are you all, like 11 or something? =)

botdeluxe @ Apr 6th 2006 6:23PM

Yea, it's a space shooter.. NOT FPS

Foo!

Crabsmasher @ Apr 6th 2006 6:34PM

A Japanese developer making and FPS o_O Something has gone horribky wrong here. Seems interesting enough though...

bluebren @ Apr 6th 2006 7:00PM

TheBlunderbuss (#14) is correct. Ew.

Nate @ Apr 6th 2006 8:03PM

I bet you anything this is going to be a Rogue Squadron/Star Fox style shooter accompanied with Squeenix style melodrama.

And for those bitching about the lack of SE RPGs... did you miss the bit about a Triace Exclusive RPG for the 360?

Furthermore, you've got FFIX, Slyph, and the "Secret" Triace RPG and the 360 has only been out a year. Bunch of idiots I swear...