<TABLE class=row2 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="98%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=row2 vAlign=top><TD>An article I wrote early January when the info was first released:
"An abundance of information regarding many upcoming
Final Fantasy games.
</TD></TR><TR class=row2><TD></TD></TR><TR class=row2 vAlign=top><TD>Starting off with
Final Fantasy XIII, the big news released a few days ago involves a bit more insight about a few of the summons in the game as well as a quick peak at the plot-line that is unfolding. Beginning with the summons, Square-Enix is already making it known that once again
Final Fantasy tradition will be broken just a tad. Sure the summons are present to jump to aid the main female Lightning when needed, but the skills and abilities they exhibit this time around differ from previous installments in the series.
Shiva is back in action as a usable summon once again, but her ability consists of...transforming into a motorcycle. What? Yes, she has the capability of converting herself into a form of transportation in which Lightning can then ride around in battle while she firing upon her enemies in battle. Since this is a new way of playing out the battle system in a
Final Fantasy game, this seems to be one of the development teams most challenging tasks so far. Earlier it was announced that
Final Fantasy XIII will be returning to the familiar ATB (Active Time Battle) of past.
As for the game play and storyline,
Final Fantasy XIII's emphasis on crystal power is shown by the ability of these to create creatures, machines, and an overall abundance of wealth, success, and prosperity to the game's world. A closed-off community floats above in a protected and shelled society known as "Cocoon". Previously announced was the "Pulse" which is the name of the netherworld located below Cocoon which the residents of the floating shelled in society fear. On Pulse, creatures have awoken and are causing terror in the form of spreading hatred and fear among the inhabitants below.
Cocoon's governing body senses the threat and decides to take immediate action in order to prevent any immense danger from occurring to their thriving community above. As the growing threat continues, suspicions start to arise involving current citizens of the Cocoon which are then forces to become dwellers in the cursed Pulse. To the rescue though is the entrance of Lightning, who is chosen by the crystal (don't ask me how), to attempt to wipe-out all those who are working to destroy the world which also somehow places her in the predicament of opposing the society's own government on Cocoon.
Also mentioned briefly in a previous article was the emergence of a male character riding in on a motor bike. Described by character designer Tetsuya Nomura, the image or personality that this young blond character possesses is that of a "cowboy". So far it is unclear what connects both the new male character and Lightning, but Nomura does state that their relationship is not a very usual one.
<CENTER>
Final Fantasy XIII Scans
Scan 1
Scan 2
Scan 3
Scan 4
Scan 5</CENTER>
Straying slightly away from the main game in the Compilation for a moment,
Final Fantasy XIII Versus has been announced to be taking on the battle system that is quite similar to the
Kingdom Hearts franchise. The silver-haired protagonist has the ability to instantly teleport to the location of where he throws his main weapon, but a limit is supposedly put on this skill for usage in the game. The developing team wants to create a movie-type atmosphere while working on the field maps giving it a very "dynamic and wide" differences height-wise that are made capable through the
Playstation 3's high specs.
Tetsuya Nomura once again spoke up stating the fact that
Final Fantasy XIII Versus will not be your run-of-the-mill Good vs. Evil
Final Fantasy game. With the setting occurring in an isolated kingdom during modern times, a crystal once again is the focal point of our story. Controlling both the order of swords and magical usage, the crystal present is the very last of its kind. A foreseen battle is to take place for rights of the crystal, which will usher in a new era to the people in the kingdom.
<CENTER>
Final Fantasy Versus XIII Scans
Scan 1
Scan 2
Scan 3
Scan 4</CENTER>
Finally, the last bit of news concerning the
Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII Compilation is that
Final Fantasy Agito XIII is currently being developed as a full 3-Dimensional title whereas the main heroes are once again tasked with the duty of protecting..."the crystal".
<CENTER>
Final Fantasy Agito XIII Scans
Scan 1
Scan 2</CENTER>
All in all, Square-Enix has dropped no hints of potential release dates for any of the three games in the Compilation so far.
And for those of you who are still wondering what the news is on
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII; it is currently 65% complete and could possible be seeing a release date of late summer/early fall here in 2007.
Square Enix made it known that they will have a surprise announcement in regards to
Final Fantasy later this year, to celebrate the series' 20th anniversary coming up on December 18, 2007. Exactly when the announcement is to be made is not specified yet."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The One The Only; Vincent Valentine
