Hmmm...well I'm sure if you know anything at all about Final Fantasy then you are probably wondering just how much longer we are going to be waiting for Final Fantasy XI, and in a nutshell: how does it play?
I had a chance to look this over in the Sony booth, and let me tell you - I am definitely ready to own a copy. Visually, the world of Vana'diel is top notch, and the controller-keyboard that you can buy from Logitech is the perfect input device for this game; it is comfortable and begs for lazy-boy gaming. There are only 5 races: Humes (humans), Galka (barbarians), Tarutaru (casters), Mithra (thieves) and Elvaan (warriors), and there are 3 countries: Bastok (industry city), San d'Oria (warrior city) and Windhurst (magician city). The strengths in this game are its interesting class ranking system based on conquests and simply the style Square pulls off every game with - its addictiveness. One other perk is the TetraMaster card game from FF IX, which you also can play against other FF XI players. The beta for PS2 begins in June, and for PC, July.
Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles for the GameCube is another hot topic, and it looks to be reminiscent of Square's distant history with Nintendo in gameplay - this is a good thing. This RPG can handle up to 4 players using the same old turn-based battle system, along with link support with the GBA (which is hella-cool) and is to be released this year.
Also for the GBA is the highly anticipated Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. The game, while exactly the same as FF Tactics for PlayStation, is entirely different in plot. Remarkably similar to The Neverending Story, FF Tactics Advance is the story of two children who stumble upon an ancient book called Final Fantasy. The pages transport them to another world, where they encounter battles, love, deaths and victories. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance supports the Game Link Cable and is scheduled to release this year.
That's not all Square-Enix has planned for the GameBoy Advance, though. The insanely popular MANA series is also going to be brushing the GBA this year in SWORD of MANA. The new version looks like SECRET of MANA for the SNES with a few perks; also there are a few additions technically. The ring command system has returned, so weapons can be exchanged mid-battle, and the strategy in correct weapon elementals is important.
Drakengard for the PS2 is one of the more questionable titles this year. Undoubtedly pulling from the unique Panzer Dragoon games on the Saturn, the object is to board a red dragon and fly around cities achieving burnination and, sometimes, getting off of the dragon to slice everyone to bits...of course this is Square, so there will be some epic story in between dog fights. The story goes something like: there is a huge empire who, in its globalization, is attacking a kingdom owned by a prince named Kyme. In the battle, Kyme is badly injured and makes a pact with a dragon who is also in bad shape to bind lives to each other, in effect giving each other life in the short run. One thing that could be interesting is that the main character models develop physically over the course of the game. I can say that there were a few problems in the visuals (specifically ground textures) when doing ground combat, but it is still a while until release...
One of the most anticipated Square games for the PS2 is the next addition to the Star Ocean series in Star Ocean: Till the End of Time. The graphics are immersive as heck, and the cinematics are grand as always. Sound is Dolby 5.11 compatible, so the depth in this game can only really be hindered by its story and gameplay (which both look to be incredible as well). From a gameplay aspect, the real-time battles are more fun than ever (reminiscent of Parasite Eve in technique, except with more than one player). All characters can be selected and controlled in the environment, or you can let the AI control them, and of course there is the weapon and item creation that has become more and more prevalent in Square games.
Stay tuned as we'll bring you the latest on all of these titles as it develops.
