Square-Enix E3 Product Line-Up

Square Enix's E3 lineup revealed including the latest Final Fantasy games and Dragon Quest.

Today Square Enix held their annual E3 press conference in Hollywood, California, and started off the show with some current-generation titles. The first bit of news was that they plan to release the highly anticipated Final Fantasy XII for the PS2 in October of 2006. The game released a couple months ago in Japan, where it was met with both critical and commercial success.

Compilation of Final Fantasy VII
The next big announcement concerned one of the titles in the company's four-title Compilation of Final Fantasy VII group of games. Square Enix showed off a brand new trailer for Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, a PSP title that takes gamers back in to the world of one of the most beloved RPGS of all time. While the trailer didn't contain any actual gameplay footage, it did show off a number of familiar characters, including Zach, Aeris, and Sephiroth. The storyline apparently deals with Zack and his role in SOLDIER, as well as hinting at the main reasons as to why Sephiroth breaks away from the group. Any other details, however, will have to come at another time. No release date was given on the title, which is so far scheduled to hit PSPs in "2006....

Nintendo Gets Attention
Lightening things up a bit was the next announcement - Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors for the Nintendo Wii. Square Enix showed off a 10-second trailer showing a gamer using the Wii controller as a sword, swinging it around and having his blows translate on to a fierce on-screen enemy. Other than that, no other details were divulged expect that the title will be a launch title when the Wii hits retail shelves.

Continuing the Nintendo focus, Square Enix then announced two titles from the same series - Code: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers for the Nintendo Wii, and Code: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates for the DS. Short trailers were shown off for both titles, with the Wii title looking to be the most tantalizing. In a nice change of pace, the characters are now a bit more realistic than they were in the last game in the series, and the combat seemed to be a nice mix of action, magic, and environment interaction. Unfortunately, no release date was given for either title.

The Biggest Surprise(s) Of All!
The end of the press conference was reserved for perhaps the most shocking Square Enix announcement in years - Final Fantasy XIII, which will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3. But, before you start screaming and jumping up and down, I suggest you sit down. Square Enix is working on THREE titles in what they call the Fabula Nova Crystallis - a compilation of three Final Fantasy XII titles. The first game, approp0riately known as Final Fantasy XIII, The mind-blowing trailer showed off at the press conference featured a young women, presumable the heroine of the game. As a ominous train barreled through a desolate looking landscape, the women appeared inside the train, which was filled with soldiers. She then single-handedly killed the soldiers with her swords, fists, and even guns. The rest of the trailer seemed to touch on the fact that the game world in Final Fantasy XIII will be an interesting mix of both magic and high-technology. Enemies mimicked this ideal, with a large and fierce looking dog seemingly part machine and part organic being. Needless to say, the visuals were absolutely stunning and if this game ends up looking as good as the trailer did, Final Fantasy XIII will be the best looking RPG to ever grace a home console.

When described by top Square Enix developers, it became clear that the company set its targets on creating the most visually arresting game on any console, as well as deliver exciting, new gaming content. To go about the first target, they created a new engine dubbed WHITE-ENGINE, which was actually a produce of last year's E3 Final Fantasy VII PS3 tech demo.

Mixing things up a bit, Square Enix then announced the second title in the compilation - Final Fantasy Agito XIII for mobile phones. The game will include a unique ad-hoc technology that will allow you to play with any other Agito gamers in your general vicinity, thus creating a unique and engaging online experience.

So, how do you top the announcement of two Final Fantasy XIII titles? Well, you go ahead and announced ANOTHER one. Square Enix stunned the crowd of journalists by showing a trailer of Final Fantasy Versus XIII, which will exclusive for the PlayStation 3. While the company was reluctant to show off any gameplay or provide any gameplay-related details, the trailer displayed was intriguing and impressive. The trailer opens with a long shot of a modern cityscape at night. It then cuts to the inside of a dark building, with a man sitting in a formidable looking throne. After a short time, he rises and steps towards a large set of double doors. When he opens them, he's greeted outside by hundreds of soldiers, who all aim their guns at him. Nonchalantly, he begins to walk down a staircase towards the soldiers, who begin to open fire. Magically, the bullets shatter just short of the man, who begins to glow with a mysterious energy. Out of nowhere, he magically summons about six magical swords that hover in the air. Unfortunately, at this point the trailer ends. But trust us, it looked absolutely stunning.

While they wowed the crowds at their press conference, Square Enix did leave a few points unaddressed today. First off, none of the three Final Fantasy XIII titles were given a target release date, which means that the likelihood of having a Final Fantasy title at launch for PS3 could be nothing more than that . . . a fantasy. But, if today indicates anything, Square Enix will be more than worth the wait. Check below for media from some of the games touched on today at Square Enix's E3 press conference.

Final Fantasy XII
Gamers have been waiting years for Final Fantasy XII, and it's almost here! But, this time around expect plenty of innovative gameplay changes, such as the jump from turn- based action to what Square Enix is called the Active Dimension Battle. Now, players will seamlessly jump between battles and exploration without loading or interruption, keeping the game moving along at a nice pace throughout.

The game also features the new "gambit" system that dictates the powers and abilities of your characters. As you play through the game, you'll earn license points that can be used to increase and expand your repertoire of abilities, attacks, and knowledge of weapons and armor. Not surprisingly, the game will also feature an epic and emotionally charged storyline, which involves a monstrous nation attempting to conquer the entire world. One small village lies in the path of the mighty empire, and a young man set on revenge unwittingly becomes embroiled in an adventure that could decide the fate of the world.

Final Fantasy XII is slated to release this fall exclusively for the PS2.

Dawn of Mana
Marking the first true Mana sequel in over a decade, PS2 owners will finally get to experience the world of the Mana Street and the Sword of Mana in Square-Enix's upcoming RPG Dawn of Mana. For the first time, the game will break in to the realm of 3D, with a unique them of "touch" pervading every single step of the experience. While Square-Enix is so far tight-lipped on the feature, one could assume that it alludes to being able to interact with your surroundings in a more complete and hands-on way.

Harkening back perhaps to more classic gaming, the title will utilize a quite colorful visual system, with colorful characters, monsters, and environments. Also be on the lookout for some familiar areas from previous games, as well as perhaps a few familiar enemies (Rabites!).

Currently, Dawn of Mana has yet to receive a release date, but stay tuned to for more updates as we receive more information about the game.

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
Forget that Cloud guy, the real bad-ass of Final Fantasy VII was the mysterious Vincent. After years of public demand, Square Enix has finally given the cool character his own PS2 game. But, don't be expecting any turn-based shenanigans. Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII follows the adventures of Vincent as he battles a mysterious group dubbed the Deepground soldiers. For reasons that are unveiled in the game, the soldiers are hell-bent on killing Vincent, as well as destroying the world.

Utilizing a unique RPG-style action system, gamers will battle the Deepground soldiers with a wide variety of firearms and Materia-based magic. Weapons can be modified extensively to increase their rate of fire, range, power, and weight. Keep your eyes peeled for some cameos from Final Fantasy VII, as well. After all, Vincent can't save the world all by himself, can he?

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII is slated to ship exclusively for the PS2 this summer.

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