[09/08] No Final Fantasy Versus XIII at Tokyo Game Show

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

Tetsuya Nomura is one of the main headliners in this week's issue of Dengeki PlayStation. To commemorate its 500th issue, the magazine got Nomura to draw a cover with six characters: Noctus (FF Versus XIII), Lightning (FFXIII-2), Serah (FFXIII-2), Noel (FFXIII-2), Machina (FF Type 0) and Rem (FF Type 0).

Nomura is also featured in a lengthy interview in the magazine. According to the usual early leak sources, Nomura tells the magazine that Final Fantasy Versus XIII will not be shown at this year's Tokyo Game Show, which will be held in mid September. However, the timing for the game's next showing has been set, he also confirms.

Nomura also mentions a few of Square Enix's other major titles in the interview. He refers to 3DS rhythm title Theatrhythm Final Fantasy as the first entry in Square Enix's 25th anniversary festivities for the FF series. Regarding Final Fantasy Type-0, he says that the game has some as yet unannounced characters who have major voice actors. He also says something about Kingdom Hearts 3D, but his comment is full of blanks, making it difficult to figure out what he's saying.

Dengeki also has commentary from Yoshinori Kitase, Yusuke Naora, Motomu Toriyama, Hiromichi Tanaka, Hajime Tabata, and other Square Enix VIPs, so we'll hopefully get additional updates throughout the day.

For those eagerly awaiting an update on Versus XIII, it's possible that we'll still get something at TGS. The game has appeared in some capacity at the past two TGS events despite initial hints from Nomura that this wouldn't be the case.

Source: Andriasang

 

[Martel]

Poor Stella. She's been trapped in the dark for so long she can't even face the camere anymore.

Nomura is also featured in a lengthy interview in the magazine. According to the usual early leak sources, Nomura tells the magazine that Final Fantasy Versus XIII will not be shown at this year's Tokyo Game Show, which will be held in mid September. However, the timing for the game's next showing has been set, he also confirms.

And that time is September, 2020.

Nomura also mentions a few of Square Enix's other major titles in the interview. He refers to 3DS rhythm title Theatrhythm Final Fantasy as the first entry in Square Enix's 25th anniversary festivities for the FF series.

I would have thought the 25th anniversary would have warranted something...better. I mean, the 20th anniversary gave us some awesome remakes. I'm looking forward to seeing what Square Enix release for the 25th anniversary (shut up, I am!) but that they start things off with a crappy rhythm game...it does not bode well.

Regarding Final Fantasy Type-0, he says that the game has some as yet unannounced characters who have major voice actors.

Major in Japan perhaps, but I'm willing to bet if that game ever gets localized they'll just pull in some random people off the street and have them do the voices, like they did with FFXIII, which felt like the Jeremy Kyle Show of voice acting.

For those eagerly awaiting an update on Versus XIII, it's possible that we'll still get something at TGS. The game has appeared in some capacity at the past two TGS events despite initial hints from Nomura that this wouldn't be the case.

In other words, we might get another vague text trailer that tells us absolutely nothing and only serves to excite or aggravate, depending on what you think of Versus XIII and how irritated you are with Square Enix at this point.

 

[C i d]

I cant help it but laugh at this. It's not that I'm upset or angry. I just find it really funny how this game gets dragged on so much. To be honest, I have very little enthusiasm left on this game. I was planning to buy a new ps3 just to play the game. But the excitement is gone now. Just a speculation, this game may as well get worse reception than ffxiii due to the long development phase. Just look at the sheer over hype on this game all over the Internet.

On the other hand, I am those few who are actually hyping over XIII-2

 

[Hatifnatten]

This makes me happy. Game gonna be polished and shiny.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

This makes me happy. Game gonna be polished and shiny.

More than 6 years for a game that when finished will just be put back on the shelf and replaced with something else, or a new generation of consoles at this rate. Sounds great.

Versus is nothing more than vaporware.

 

[Linnaete]

Oh, what an complete shock! I totally did not see this coming!

According to the usual early leak sources, Nomura tells the magazine that Final Fantasy Versus XIII will not be shown at this year's Tokyo Game Show, which will be held in mid September.

You know, after over half a decade now and still with virtually nothing but a Latin song, some pre-rendered CGI cutscenes that will likely not be representative of the final product at all and some silent dialogue that means so little - does anyone really care now when they decide to show things? I know I've stopped caring. They can hold back showings until well into 2012 if they want and I wouldn't really care.

Versus is the new Duke Nukem and it has a good chance of ending up with the same mediocre fate as Duke Nukem despite the years of waiting. At least Duke had some excuses for its long development time and very early announcement. Someone decided to announce Versus way back in 2006 probably in the hopes of making the fans wet themselves with excitement when they knew all too well themselves that it was nowhere near finished at all. In case anyone argues back that I'm just being damn impatient, let me make it clear that I'm more irritated (and a little amused) than anything at its unneeded announcement way back in 2006. In fact, I hope this idiotic decision backfires in the worst way imaginable.

Nomura also mentions a few of Square Enix's other major titles in the interview. He refers to 3DS rhythm title Theatrhythm Final Fantasy as the first entry in Square Enix's 25th anniversary festivities for the FF series. Regarding Final Fantasy Type-0, he says that the game has some as yet unannounced characters who have major voice actors. He also says something about Kingdom Hearts 3D, but his comment is full of blanks, making it difficult to figure out what he's saying.

Hmm, other than Type-0 (of which I'm still waiting for some concrete word on a release date as it's the one game that I'm actually looking forward to), the other two don't interest me, especially the Dissidia Musical. And even then if Type-0 just turns out to be the coverage of the last three unrevealed characters, then even that isn't going to be worth looking forward to. I may as write off SE from TGS then, at least there will be other companies to look out for I guess.

For those eagerly awaiting an update on Versus XIII, it's possible that we'll still get something at TGS.

I don't care anymore. Show a 15-second footage Noctis in a tight leather suit jumping onto the roof of a car in the middle of a New Mexico-like desert empty highway if you have to.

 

[Exoskeleton]

Nomura is also featured in a lengthy interview in the magazine. According to the usual early leak sources, Nomura tells the magazine that Final Fantasy Versus XIII will not be shown at this year's Tokyo Game Show, which will be held in mid September. However, the timing for the game's next showing has been set, he also confirms.

Like others I've just stopped caring about Versus until it's finished. I just think people need to stop being so needy and pestering the man for more so he can get back to working on the damn game. I really hope he means there will be no showing. Either it's out or it's not, teasing isn't working anymore.

Nomura also mentions a few of Square Enix's other major titles in the interview. He refers to 3DS rhythm title Theatrhythm Final Fantasy as the first entry in Square Enix's 25th anniversary festivities for the FF series. Regarding Final Fantasy Type-0, he says that the game has some as yet unannounced characters who have major voice actors. He also says something about Kingdom Hearts 3D, but his comment is full of blanks, making it difficult to figure out what he's saying.

Handheld games and voice actors really aren't that exciting at the moment. >.> I'm liking Type zero but I really could care less of the voice actors who are major. I just want quality ;-;.

For those eagerly awaiting an update on Versus XIII, it's possible that we'll still get something at TGS. The game has appeared in some capacity at the past two TGS events despite initial hints from Nomura that this wouldn't be the case.

People are still eagerly awaiting? And for updates? I don't want a showing or pimping of a game that's been dangling in front of me for ages. I want you to make the damn game instead of taking the time to bring me snippets. Versus can call me when it's finished, I find myself caring less and less about teasers, so lets see if he can keep his word this time about no Versus.

 

[Rey]

I thought I would check up on this. Looks like it IS EXACTLY what I predicted. Versus XIII is just a myth, and it will never be released. If we are not going to get an update at Tokyo game show, then when the hell will we get another one? The update will just be some pointless shit we were not expecting at all. I am sure everybody expects so much of Versus, yet SE just give little shit tidbits of info. Right now I am just waiting till Type-0 gets and English release. At this point, Versus should have been out or even had a ton of more info. When Versus is out, it will have to stand up to some huge titles for sure. By then nobody is going to care! Basically Livi said it all. This game really has become a joke. I even see it released by the time Halo V is out... since IV will be out at the end of 2012.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

You gotta be kidding me..damnz...I hope its worth the freeking wait. They already showed a little gameplay in the trailer but I was hoping to see more info..shit this is fucked up...Versus is the only thing I am interested in and Agito too pff..I blame FF13-2

 

[ribbit]

I blame FF13-2

Yeah, no kidding. They're too busy trying to make up for XIII that they're holding out on the game that will actually make up for it instead of a direct sequel :\ XIII-2 better be really good to make up for them not releasing Versus first >_>

 

[Ichigo]

FFXIII-2 looks infinitely better than FF Versus XIII anyways. I would say that I'm surprised but honestly, the collective development staff at SE seem to be lead by a chicken with its head cut off.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

A FF title with the same battle system as Rogue Galaxy and Kingdom Hearts is heavensent..how can FF13-2 in any way look better than Versus...
Versus is also a more serious approuch in the aspect of wardrobe.
Also in environment - Shinjuki...slums and even the Yakuza.

Man Versus will be the bomb..at least better than Ff13
Imagine a sequal better than the original..that shit doesnt happen very often..

 

[Ichigo]

Man Versus will be the bomb..at least better than Ff13 Imagine a sequal better than the original..that shit doesnt happen very often..

Happens plenty of times.

Metal Gear Solid 2
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
Mother 2
Super Smash Brothers Melee
Street Fighter II
Persona 2

Need more?

But anyway, it's not like the core foundations of FFXIII were bad, there were just a series of design choices that got in the way of fully realizing what it could've been. And with what I've seen from FFXIII-2, it looks like it will rectify what went wrong with the first one quite nicely.

On the other hand, outside of the collective audience swearing up and down FF Versus XIII will be the savior of the series championed by Tetsuya Nomura, all we've gotten so far are a few trailers, a battle system that looks like it's been done better (By the same Director no less!), and a "when it's done" release date.

 

[ANGRYWOLF]

I don't agree with this statement

FFXIII-2 looks infinitely better than FF Versus XIII anyways. I would say that I'm surprised but honestly, the collective development staff at SE seem to be lead by a chicken with its head cut off.

at all.
It seems a clear exaggeration to me.

As for Versus, I am disappointed as it seems others are as well.

I don't know what Square is doing other than shooting themselves in the foot.

 

[C i d]

On the other hand, outside of the collective audience swearing up and down FF Versus XIII will be the savior of the series championed by Tetsuya Nomura, all we've gotten so far are a few trailers, a battle system that looks like it's been done better (By the same Director no less!), and a "when it's done" release date.

This, I agree.

I don't understand why people all over the Internet think this game will be the true savior for the series. So little information is revealed. True it looks brilliant (the setting, mood, etc) from these bits of info, but I think people are assuming that it will surely be a great game.

Oh and I'm surprised that I'm not the only one who actually cares about XIII-2.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

This, I agree.

I don't understand why people all over the Internet think this game will be the true savior for the series. So little information is revealed. True it looks brilliant (the setting, mood, etc) from these bits of info, but I think people are assuming that it will surely be a great game.

Oh and I'm surprised that I'm not the only one who actually cares about XIII-2.

The last sentence makes your opinion pretty much void... I dont think FF13-2 will be its saviour so it must be Versus..

Honestly maybe besides Agito and Versus everything else seems lame to me and I think yes many agree. and yes you are one of A KIND for being such a fan already of FF13-2. (judging by your username and sig)

If they screw this up SE will have too much losses as they already lost a lot of profit..besides that I will never buy a FF game anymore because if they screw up Versus its over for me...I could wait another ten years for HOPEFULLY a better FF title? NAH!!!

 

[C i d]

The last sentence makes your opinion pretty much void... I dont think FF13-2 will be its saviour so it must be Versus..

Honestly maybe besides Agito and Versus everything else seems lame to me and I think yes many agree. and yes you are one of A KIND for being such a fan already of FF13-2. (judging by your username and sig)

If they screw this up SE will have too much losses as they already lost a lot of profit..besides that I will never buy a FF game anymore because if they screw up Versus its over for me...I could wait another ten years for HOPEFULLY a better FF title? NAH!!!

Actually, I believe that versus has an obvious greater chance of being the so called savior for the series, than XIII-2. The fanbase apparently has good first impression on this game, unlike XIII-2. Even though I anticipate highly for XIII-2, it doesn't mean that I believe it will do the saviour job in general. I KNOW I will most probably like it, but it's obvious that others won't. So isn't it pretty much confirmed XIII-2 will get worse reception than Versus?

The point is, while versus has that chance of being the great FF game, it also has a chance of being mediocre. Same goes for XIII-2, but as I said, XIII-2 is more likely to be badly received because it is a sequel to such a mediocre game.

But I don't really care what people will think as long as I end up loving it. It's the thrill of either getting really disappointed or getting mind blown and excited eventually. So it's definitely something worth looking forward to for ME.

Also, compared to versus, this game gives teasers like every week. In fact an update is coming this thursday. Yeah like people care... But I care

 

[Exoskeleton]

The point is, while versus has that chance of being the great FF game, it also has a chance of being mediocre. Same goes for XIII-2, but as I said, XIII-2 is more likely to be badly received because it is a sequel to such a mediocre game.

Either way it cant be any worse that 13. Not only does it have the good graphics, notable in 13 but it seems to have a much wider, more open world, and from what I recall reading not everything will be able to be achieved through one playthrough and there are many paths you can take through certain levels. That being said Versus has some very high leverage over what's been put out by SE already. Sure it can be mediocre, but in my eyes it will more than likely be better than what I've seen from SE so far.

Also, compared to versus, this game gives teasers like every week. In fact an update is coming this thursday. Yeah like people care... But I care

Seeing as most of XIII-2 was already made and repackaged as a sequel they better have some damn teasers to redeem themselves. I'm not saying XIII-2 will be bad but the previous game was not fun for me at all, and the non changing battle system makes the game feel more bland to me :/ A lot of people care aboot it though. I'm not one of them but I know many new FF fans care.

 

[Stoic Hero]

I just want Versus XIII in my hands. At this point, I don't even care if it is good.

I just want to be able to move on, whether good or bad. Don't get me wrong, I will absolutely rejoice and send fanmail to Square Enix if Versus XIII is amazing. I'm still holding on to hope that it will be. But if it is bad, at least it will allow them to move on to something else. Something new. Kingdom Hearts 3. Final Fantasy XV (though, I really don't want them to make XV if it'll have the same battle system as XIII) or something else amazing. But not another dissidia, kingdom hearts spin off, or final fantasy sequel spin off.

 

[Martel]

FFXIII-2 has no chance of being any good whatsoever. Even if it recognises the potential FFXIII didn't by fixing that godawful excuse for a battle system, and manages to re-establish the illusion of freedom that linear, story-driven RPGs like to give us, it still has to work around the complete lack of storyline and the diabolical cast present in the first, which it is based upon. It's based upon crap, so it can be nothing but crap. You can dress a turd up, but it's still a turd, etc. It can fix the problems with the gameplay, but it can't fix the problems with the story or cast, because just by using them it's already ruined. You can't make a good sequel to a bad game if you're going to incorporate elements - the worst elements, no less - of the original into the sequel. Putting FFXIII's cast in FFXIII-2 is, as far as I'm concerned, an automatic death sentence. Abandon hope, all ye who enter here.

Versus XIII, on the other hand, has a clean slate - a new world, new characters, and it isn't going to be restricted by a shit story from a game that came before it and it is based off of. As far as I'm concerned, FFXIII-2 is a write-off, because it is a sequel to the worst excuse for a video game I have ever had the misfortune of seeing. This is without considering the news releases about FFXIII-2 that have done nothing to inspire optimism - more of the same with some additional lazy gimmicks stolen from other western games? No thank you - and the extremely short development time, which gives the very clear message that barely any effort has been put into it.

I can more than understand people's frustration about barely any news on FF Versus XIII, because it's been years since we've had a good Final Fantasy game, and it's hard to tell if this one will be any different. A long development time implies that more effort has been put into it, but who knows, when we're never told anything?

I'm one of the few who enjoyed FFXII, but for those who didn't, and hated FFXIII as well...they must be starved for a decent FF game by this point, and Versus is, at present, the only thing that could be any good on the horizon. And it's been on the horizon for so very, very long. Expectations for Versus haven't had a chance to drop yet because hardly anything has been revealed about it. It could be bad or even worse than the likes of FFXIII, but it's hard to tell since barely anything has been revealed about it.

In the meantime, Square Enix are churning out shit game after shit game, so I think it is natural that people will focus on Versus XIII, and be extremely annoyed that, once again, it is getting passed over in favour of - shock horror - shit games. It just feels like Square Enix are fucking around with us at this point. Their upcoming line-up of games has never been poorer than what it is right now, and the one game they have that on the horizon that might be any good has been there for so long that it doesn't really count anymore.