Square Enix releases iPod RPG, Song Summoner
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jul 8th 2008 at 8:30AM }
The iTunes download, available today, will retail for $4.99. The game will be controlled exclusively through the iPod click wheel and will be compatible with iPod nano with video, iPod classic and fifth generation iPod. While we haven't had a chance to play the game ourselves, we're certainly itching to give it a try. If you download Song Summoner, tell us what you think. Update: Trailer embedded, after the cut.
Gallery: SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
koehler83 @ Jul 8th 2008 8:36AM
Its official, Square-Enix is no longer a console developer.
It seems Handhelds, Mobile Phones and yes.. even iPods are more valuable platforms for them. It seems the console savvy among them have all left and formed Mystwalker. The rest have to license middleware engines or simply pretend to work on games for years on end without producing even a 10 second video.
(Even Duke Nukem Forever has produced a 10 second video)
Moorio - XBL: peacebyanymeans @ Jul 8th 2008 8:54AM
Just because they make an iPod game, they no longer are making console games?
Geez... your legs must be really tired after jumping to all those conclusions.
Erwos @ Jul 8th 2008 8:59AM
Over-reaction... confirmed!
koehler83 @ Jul 8th 2008 9:07AM
Considering their last console game was Dawn of Mana (A PS2 game, which came out in Japan in 2006, I don't know if 'Jumping to Conclusions' is a charge I'm willing to accept as valid. I suppose if you want to argue that Chocobo Fables on Wii waves the console banner, you go ahead.
They have released no less than 10 handheld, mobile and now even iPod games since (and one FFXI expansion) with no less than 6 more handheld/mobile games currently in development.
Its as clear as the crystals they depict in their games that they've shifted their development focus away from consoles.
Orayn @ Jul 8th 2008 9:13AM
I would CHILL if I were you. They're releasing portable content because it makes good fiscal sense. The profit margin on portable content is far higher, and the games don't take nearly as long to produce. Nowadays, "next gen" technology and expectations have driven most console games to be very "heavy" in that they take a lot of time and money to produce, because everyone is always expecting a big show. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with portable games. You talk about them as though they're all cheap $5 cell phone games that are fun for five minutes. Have you ever played Final Fantasy A2? That game has some real content to it, content you're passing off as irrelevant. Besides, if you really want a console JRPG, go get something by NIS and call me when you're done; It'll take you a while.
Pal @ Jul 8th 2008 11:29AM
Infinite Undiscovery (360), The Last Remnant (360, PS3), Star Ocean 4 (360), FFCC: Crystal Bearers (Wii), Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII(PS3).
Have you ever considered that, maybe, Square Enix just takes longer to transition when new consoles arrive? They love to take their sweet time, but they eventually deliver.
Don't be a troll just because you have iPods.
koehler83 @ Jul 8th 2008 11:56AM
Infinite Undiscovery and Star Ocean 4 are only published by Square-Enix, they're developed by Tri-Ace. Last Remnant and FFXIII were announced 2 years ago and both still lack a date in any region. The Crystal Bearers is a myth.. its produced a single screenshot, it is also a second-party Square title by The Game Designer Studio, not made in-house.
Of course, you're all fully aware of these facts. Im sorry I had to bring them up since they're so completely obvious.
koehler83 @ Jul 8th 2008 11:55AM
Infinite Undiscovery and Star Ocean 4 are only published by Square-Enix, they're developed by Tri-Ace. Last Remnant and FFXIII were announced 2 years ago and both still lack a date in any region. The Crystal Bearers is a myth.. its produced a single screenshot, it is also a second-party Square title by The Game Designer Studio, not made in-house.
Of course, you're all fully aware of these facts. Im sorry I had to bring them up since they're so completely obvious.
Denkigrve @ Jul 8th 2008 11:56AM
Did you not play FF XII? Have you not been paying attention to the slew of 360 and PS3 titles they are making? Are the DS and PSP's not consoles? You have blinders on if you think it's the only thing they are doing.
In Japan the PSP and DS are the top selling systems, os it makes sense that they are releasing more titles for those. It means more sales. That is especially important for a company that lost 28 million last year.
I bought the game this morning. It's pretty cool so far. I'm trying to see how leveling your "troopers" works. I put the song I used to create it on repeat and am just letting it go for a bit.
Gameplay wise it's basically FF:Tactics. It's actually very surprising for an iPod game. Not at all what I was expecting, especially from Square. If you have an iPod classic, iPod nano (3rd gen) or iPod 5th gen you should definitely give it a shot.
Dan @ Jul 8th 2008 12:52PM
Seriously.... listen to yourself...
Its that time of the month huh....
alphanoes @ Jul 8th 2008 1:42PM
See also: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King.
McWeen @ Jul 8th 2008 8:40AM
Silly idea beyond the gimmick of it.
Bert @ Jul 8th 2008 8:58AM
I think this is a great idea. My only question is whether this is also coming to the Iphone. Does anyone know?
capt_carl @ Jul 8th 2008 9:07AM
According to the iTunes Store it's not compatible with the iPod Touch or iPhone.
Gavin @ Jul 8th 2008 8:59AM
Hey, I'd buy that except for the fact that I'm not stupid enough to own an over-priced and gimped out hunk of crap iPod. Be a real man get something you can put Rockbox on. Seriously, screw Apple.
snarfoogle @ Jul 8th 2008 10:34AM
Rockbox works on 5 and a half generations of iPods...
Gavin @ Jul 8th 2008 11:03AM
Why waste your money on an iPod when you can buy the better hardware and still run Rockbox? iPods suck. iTunes suck. If you think they don't you're probably an emo kid with a huge fixation on your Myspace page.
wookee @ Jul 8th 2008 11:24AM
I once asked my usability professor why she'd buy an ipod shuffle (which imho is one of the most overpriced, unusable piece of electronic...) instead of a Chinese or Korean made player with the same amount of memory, size, half the price, and most important, a screen, and her answer was, "cus they don't have an apply logo on it".
fyreblazer @ Jul 8th 2008 11:48AM
People are still driving that ole "Hate on Apple" bus? I thought that parked a long time ago.
The ipod is a quality product that just happens to be more popular than the others. Get over it.
s256 @ Jul 8th 2008 12:08PM
Please point us to a better music-database management software that has all the browsing features of iTunes.
NATO_Duke @ Jul 8th 2008 12:35PM
Wow. You are such a damn elitist. Rockbox isn't the end all of software, and doesn't make the difference between good or bad hardware. (Especially since it works on iPods.) The devices are popular because they have great build quality and people enjoy using them. Come off you high horse with spewing hate when it’s unnecessary.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jul 8th 2008 1:34PM
dude there is nothing wrong with the iPod and im personally a Zune user. i mean sure, they get updated an awful lot but saying that iTunes and the device itself sucks.....well i dont even know what that is, but it sounds retarded.
Ass Masterson @ Jul 8th 2008 2:30PM
"Please point us to a better music-database management software that has all the browsing features of iTunes"
Sure. It's called Windows Explorer. Just open one, navigate to your music directory, and voila! Everything is laid out in a reasonable and logical manner. Unlike the iPod which constantly rearranges things, mislabels them, groups them incorrectly, etc, etc.
iTunes is a joke and the iPod is only popular for an incredibly successful marketing/image campaign.
Dan @ Jul 8th 2008 5:13PM
Wow... that makes two ppl today that had their monthly visitor.......
Aar0n @ Jul 8th 2008 9:10AM
I absolutely have to get it. It combines two of my gaming fetishes, and the art doesn't look half bad to boot. And I mean, come on. I listen to power metal. My "Tune Troopers" are all going to be total badasses! I won't mind grinding their levels higher if they've got names like "THE SOULFORGED" and "MILLENIUM SUN."
Orayn @ Jul 8th 2008 9:14AM
Those fetishes, by the way, are Tactical RPGs and content that is derived from my music. Forgot to include it in my post.
capt_carl @ Jul 8th 2008 9:09AM
I'm really not a fan of gaming on my iPod, but I may have to keep my eye on this one...
A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Jul 8th 2008 10:48AM
My sentiments exactly.
BIGGEN (LIVE-PSN: BIGGEN1103) @ Jul 8th 2008 9:13AM
square enix?! doing an rpg??!! AWESOME!
animeman_59 @ Jul 8th 2008 9:15AM
What is this? April 1st?
Considering the way the screenshots look and the intentionally ridiculous names and dialogue, this has to be a hoax.
Although, an ability called "snowballin'" does sound cool.
Denkigrve @ Jul 8th 2008 11:58AM
A hoax that's currently on my iPod. The game is actually fun. The characters are just as ridiculous as The World Ends With You...
Denkigrve @ Jul 8th 2008 11:58AM
A hoax that's currently on my iPod. The game is actually fun. The characters are just as ridiculous as The World Ends With You...
Josh @ Jul 8th 2008 9:16AM
Argh! I'm sitting here at work with my iPod, but my connector cable is at home.
It makes me very sad.
Almadi @ Jul 8th 2008 9:37AM
what? no thank you for the tip?
stardust @ Jul 8th 2008 9:51AM
Damn, I wish this available for the iPod touch.
point09micron @ Jul 8th 2008 10:09AM
Oh great, so if I want to do a low-level challenge game, I can't listen to my music?
baby sea tuna @ Jul 8th 2008 10:23AM
Huh...this looks like an interesting way to kill some time on my car trip to Lebowskifest this weekend...
Simon Johnson @ Jul 8th 2008 10:32AM
The longing for demo's on the iTunes games store has only increased.
Sigh
LaughingTarget @ Jul 8th 2008 11:27AM
Dude, it's only $5, you take a bigger financial risk renting a game than buying this. My only problem is I don't have the hardware to play it.
Simon Johnson @ Jul 8th 2008 11:49AM
$5 to you, but thats £10 to me, or 2 and a half hours work.
Booxatron @ Jul 8th 2008 12:47PM
In two and a half hours, you make the equivalent of 5 USD? $2 an hour? Even at McDonalds, you can make at least $6 an hour anywhere in the states. That's nuts.
Simon Johnson @ Jul 8th 2008 12:54PM
Welcome to the United Kingdom!
Emophia @ Jul 8th 2008 2:43PM
Actually, it's only £3.99 on the UK iTunes, I just bought it.
Mike @ Jul 8th 2008 7:15PM
Actually, £10 is more like $20. Pounds aren't worth less, things are just more expensive in England.
Simon Johnson @ Jul 8th 2008 7:19PM
My point exactly. Btw, how is the game?
Wiinterfang @ Jul 8th 2008 11:43AM
This game some cheesy dialog.
Robots living with humans?!?!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Hashbrown Hunter @ Jul 8th 2008 2:57PM
But it's so "BEAUTIFUL!"
Mr.ESC @ Jul 8th 2008 11:57AM
I expect Master of Puppets,Through the fire and the flames,Karate,You are the best,war pigs,down with the sickness,Hangar 18,Enter Sandman and freebird to be the most broken characters.
RunsWithFire @ Jul 8th 2008 1:08PM
No no no, it's made by Squeenix.
One Winged Angel is clearly the broken character. =P
Suiname @ Jul 8th 2008 3:14PM
dude, those songs are all like 8 minutes long, it'll take forever to level them up.