Final-Fantasy-XIII posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Mega64 makes its own mind-blowing Final Fantasy XIII announcement

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 2nd 2009 at 5:03AM }

When Square Enix unveiled the English-language release date of Final Fantasy XIII, Joystiq commenter Chedder dared to ask the one question on everyone's mind. "Is it me or has the host of this video been drenched by a douche nozzle before they turned the cameras on?" Mega64 has the answer: yes.

Mega64's parody announcement one-ups Square Enix's hyperbolic ~~infomercial~~ trailer with hilarious real-world "interviews." Oh, and if you're like Anemos, you'll probably love the ending. Check it out after the break.

Continued →

Lightning strikes the UK and US cover art of Final Fantasy XIII [Update]

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 1st 2009 at 10:30AM }

The Final Fantasy series has been known to have some truly epic box art in the past, such as the man vs. machinery motif of the Final Fantasy VII cover, or the lovely, all-inclusive tableau featured on the front of the last entry in the core franchise. Imagine our surprise when we received the images above from Games Press -- it seems the cover for the UK version of Final Fantasy XIII will be considerably more simple than the box art of its predecessors. [Update: The US version of the box art will be identical to the UK version.]

We've posted larger versions of the two boxes in the gallery below. Check them out, but don't let those eyes of yours wander. Yes, we know her skirt is hiked to a precarious degree. We also know that the baby Jesus is watching your every action.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII UK cover art

Japan facing Final Fantasy XIII oversaturation crisis

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 28th 2009 at 3:30PM }

And you thought Halo 3-themed Game Fuel was bad. A recent round of advertisements have taken Japan by storm, all of which either shill for Final Fantasy XIII, or some product based on the unflagging RPG franchise. Posted after the break are a series of videos, including a short TV spot for the game, two ads for the presumably refreshing Elixir beverage, and a commercial for a commercial (well, a behind-the-scenes documentary) which will be released shortly after the game is released in Japan.

Also, they're making a perfume based off the game's main character. It's called Lightning eau de toilet. There's no video advertisement to accompany this news, but we'd have been remiss had we not mentioned it to you.

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Twitter users unlock Final Fantasy XIII chocobo Avatar item

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Nov 25th 2009 at 5:20PM }

In a feat considerably easier than breeding a golden chocobo in Final Fantasy VII, fans of Square Enix's thirteenth Final outing have unlocked a special Xbox Live Avatar item through the power of word of mouth (via keyboard). After garnering enough specially tagged messages on Twitter (some speculate that this may have represent some sort of "marketing tactic"), the folks at Microsoft have seen fit to entrust an adorable virtual chocobo to your Avatar.

If you're in North America, UK, France or Germany and registered on the site, you can expect a download code via email by mid-December. If not, we've placed something after the break to cheer you up.

[Via @AceyBongos]

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Japan summons one more Final Fantasy XIII trailer

by Andrew Yoon { Nov 25th 2009 at 12:15AM }

Square Enix has released yet another Japanese language trailer for Final Fantasy XIII, likely the last one before the game hits retail stores across the Pacific. This five minute video features a lot of recycled footage from earlier trailers, but attentive fans will notice the reveal of new characters (villains, perhaps?).

The highlights of this lengthy preview are the franchise's trademark over-the-top summons -- made even more spectacular and grandiose for this generation's first numbered entry in the Final Fantasy series. Of course, Square Enix fans would have it no other way.

[Thanks, Brandon S.!]

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII

Tweet about Xbox Final Fantasy XIII, win a mystery prize

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 13th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Let's say you want to drum up some interest for the Xbox version of a beloved RPG series that has traditionally appeared on the Playstation. What would you do? Why, use Twitter, of course! The Xbox.com Final Fantasy XIII page is holding a social media event of sorts, offering Xbox Live members the chance to win "a secret Xbox Live prize." The gist of it is pretty simple, register at the Xbox.com Final Fantasy XIII page (US or UK), then post a tweet that contains the #FFXIIIXBOX hash tag and the URL of said Xbox.com page.

Once a certain number of tweets has been reached, the prize will be unlocked. There is no indication of what the prize may be, but we're hoping for some outlandish spiky hair for our Avatar. Barring that, we'd settle for a giant sword or some bizarrely effeminate accessories.

Final Fantasy XIII launches March 9, 2010 on PS3, 360

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Nov 13th 2009 at 10:30AM }

Download in HD from BigDownload
Final Fantasy XIII will launch in North America and Europe on March 9, 2010, just a few months after it debuts in Japan and nearly four years after it was originally announced. Since that time, Square Enix's flagship role-playing game has become a multiplatform project -- the English version will debut on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 simultaneously -- as well as the first part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis series. It's also no longer the highest-numbered Final Fantasy game.

"We know that our fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installation of the franchise -- FINAL FANTASY XIII will exceed all expectations," said John Yamamoto, president, chief executive officer and official title shouter of Square Enix, Inc. "Coming simultaneously to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for the first time, FINAL FANTASY XIII will be available to all players who are looking for the most immersive gaming experience of 2010."

And you'll have to look -- we hear Q1 2010 is already swamped with immersive gaming experiences. That's not a complaint!

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII

Final Fantasy XIII trailer coming Home tomorrow [Update]

by Justin McElroy { Nov 12th 2009 at 9:25AM }

While we're certainly happy to hear that a brand new Final Fantasy XIII trailer is coming to the theater in PlayStation Home tomorrow, we can't help but be a little put out too. Is this the announcement that had been hinted at on Sunday? Because we were honestly hoping for something a bit more ... announcementy.

On the bright side, maybe there's some real news coming and the trailer's just a nice compliment, or on the even brighter side, maybe there's big news nestled lovingly within the clip. On the double-triple bright side, the Home theaters are also showing a sneak preview of Steven Seagal: Lawman on ~~Friday~~ Wednesday, so there's no way you're not logging out of Home happier than when you logged in.

Update: We incorrectly reported the time for "Lawman." It will debut in Home on Wednesday, Nov 18 for one hour at 5pm PST/8pm EST.

Japanese Final Fantasy XIII includes 'secret in-game item' for FFXIV

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 11th 2009 at 4:00PM }

When Shonen Jump recently revealed Square Enix's intention to include a "campaign code" for something in Final Fantasy XIV with the first printing of Final Fantasy XIII, we weren't sure what to make of it. Thankfully, Famitsu's latest issue (translated by Andriasang) details the inter-franchise crossover content a bit more, calling it a "secret in-game item" and reporting it can be input before the upcoming MMO opens up to the public for a "limited edition item" of some type. It's unclear if the item will be available for use in the PC beta.

Apparently, Famitsu also notes that the item is exclusive to Japan and, though limited, will be included with all FFXIII PS3 bundles (also Japan-exclusive). Since we're certain that someone reading this is currently weighing the import costs of one of those bundles against the value of an exclusive virtual goody, we hope for you and your family's sake that a friend is by your side, calling in an intervention right now. It's really for the best.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIV

Rumor: Japanese Final Fantasy XIII to include Final Fantasy XIV content

by JC Fletcher { Nov 9th 2009 at 12:30PM }

In addition to some awesome shots of Hope's summon, Alexander, a Jump scan reveals that the first printing of Final Fantasy XIII will include a campaign code for Final Fantasy XIV. That's right, a game will include content for its own sequel as an early buyer bonus. That's the world Square Enix has constructed for itself.

Beyond the term "campaign code," we aren't actually sure what the content is. Is it a pre-release demo of the MMO? A beta? An exclusive quest to be downloaded in the final game? It isn't clear. But it's definitely some kind of Final Fantasy XIV content, and it's sure to entice those three guys in Japan who were going to buy XIV but not XIII.

[Via CVG]

Final Fantasy XIII announcement possibly due on Nov. 13

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 8th 2009 at 7:30PM }

"A Henchmen Inventor Tent Unto."

Before reading on, why not try to solve that puzzle for yourself? It's an anagram, which means you can mess the letters about to spell a secret message. Here's a hint: It was posted by Square Enix as a tease for Final Fantasy XIII, meaning it probably has something to do with that game. What's that? "A Chevron Non-nineteenth Mutt?" We suppose that's a pretty good guess, but unfortunately, it's the wrongest thing ever. A Final Fan-site recently had better luck uncovering the message's true meaning: "Announcement Nov Thirteenth."

The nature of this "announcement" is still up in the air, though our money's on an official North American release date for the super-anticipated RPG. Though, considering the speed at which the series is growing now, we wouldn't be surprised if Squeenix went ahead and dropped the Final Fantasy XV bomb on us.

Final Fantasy XIII character progression system explained

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 1st 2009 at 1:30PM }

Though the effeminate hairstyles have managed to stay in tact as the Final Fantasy franchise has evolved, one element seems to change from game to game: The character progression system. From Materia to Guardian Forces to the Sphere Grid and plain ol' leveling up, the series has introduced some novel forms of strengthening your characters. It sounds like Final Fantasy XIII will be no different -- according to the latest issue of Shonen Jump, the RPG introduces a new progression system called "Crystalium."

Andriasang laid out the gist of how the system operates -- instead of gaining experience from battles, players earn "Crystal Points," which they can then spend on new abilities and stat boosts which are arranged on a circular chart. As you progress down one of the chart's specialization trees, you unlock stronger abilities; Fire leads to Fira, and so on. Sounds a lot like the aforementioned Sphere Grid -- but we suppose we'll have to wait until we get our hands on the game before we can make a more insightful assessment.

New Final Fantasy XIII screenshots reintroduce Oerba

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 23rd 2009 at 4:30PM }

Click to summon bigger pictures.

We're still dumbfounded by the fact that -- after years of endless CG teases and countdowns -- Final Fantasy XIII is actually coming out. While still pegged with a vague "Spring 2010" release, Square Enix has made good on its promise of a hastened localization. Already, the HUD sports English text, and the characters have been dubbed in English.

The latest batch of screenshots released by Square Enix focus on Oerba Yun Fang, a character introduced at Tokyo Game Show as a traitor working for the government. She may start out as a villain, but it seems one way or another, she's bound to join your party: these screens show her (and her summon) in actual gameplay screens, proving there will be some interactivity between the hours of cutscenes FF13 is bound to have.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII (10/23)

No install for Final Fantasy XIII on PS3

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 22nd 2009 at 3:45PM }

If you were planning on making yourself a nice sandwich for your first session of Final Fantasy XIII, it looks like you'll have to make it before you pop the disc in your PS3. According to IGN, director Motomu Toriyama told Famitsu that FFXIII will not require an install on PS3. Furthermore, other than the transition between town and field segments, the game won't feature any loading screens at all. Toriyama stated that loading time was one of the biggest concerns from the beginning of development.

We're sure there were at least a few folks out there looking forward to watching a Chocobo take a smoke break. Alas, it just wasn't meant to be.

TGS 2009: The Recap Post

by Xav de Matos { Oct 2nd 2009 at 10:10PM }

Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized!

Click on a platform below to scan the highlights: