Square Enix releases iPod RPG, Song Summoner

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 8th 2008 at 8:30AM }

Square Enix has a surprise RPG for the handheld gamer. No, it's not on the PSP or DS. Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes is an iPod exclusive RPG with a rather unique twist. You'll be able to transform your music collection into "Tune Troopers" that you can use in battle. Even cooler: you'll be able to level up your "Tune Troopers" simply by listening to the same song you created them on your iPod. You'll need the help of all your best MP3s, as you fight the Mechanical Militia and save your brother.

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

Tags: ipod, itunes, song-summoner, square-enix

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

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.......

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.

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."