Octaslash? Come on now, that's a bit un-inventive. Sounds kind of dumb, but we're willing to bet that move is going to look wickedly stylish in the actual game. Aside from that one odd naming scheme, these screenshots of Crisis Core are spectacular.
We sure are excited for this game, especially after seeing these nostalgic screens. Also, some in-game cut scene vids have made there way up on the interwebs; those, too, are loaded with nostalgia. Check out the gallery below, and the trailers after the break.
Gallery: Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core - March 08
Eurogamer is reporting that a special edition of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core might be on the way to Europe, or at least to the UK. Although Square Enix has yet to officially confirm it, UK retailers such as Gamestation have already begun hosting details about the special ed on their websites. Called the "Special Pre-order Edition," it will come in nice slipcase packaging, and will also included a 48-page hardbound art book. The special ed is available only when the game is pre-ordered at regular price; so there's no multiple pricing schemes going on -- just reservations.
If this does indeed prove to be true, it seems like an enticing little incentive for Europeans not to purchase the North American version soon to release in less than two weeks. Especially since NA has a fixed date and Europe has a vague spring release, we suppose Square Enix needs something extra to keep crafty Euros from importing. Well, an art book and slipcase sure do beat our UMD cases.
[Update: You can now see the special edition on the official Crisis Core website. Nice.]
In addition to new screenshots and art, Square Enix released a handful of new gameplay videos from its upcoming War of the Lions game. In these brief clips, you'll see how some of the powerful spells at your disposal. Unlike the Japanese release, the game features a better framerate, making this the single best version of Final Fantasy Tactics you can get anywhere.
Jeanne d'Arc and Disgaea aren't the only SRPGs that will take residence on the PSP. A new PSP-enhanced version of Final Fantasy Tactics, called The War of the Lions, will be available nationwide October 9th. The War of the Lions divide the land of Ivalice in two. The story is told through the eyes of two men as they're entrapped by the war: Delita Heiral and Ramza Beoulve.
New to the PSP version is a new job class: the Onion Knight. In addition, the game will be enhanced with new 16:9 graphics, a brand new translation and fully voiced anime cutscenes (the Japanese version did not feature any VA). A new multiplayer function allows you to battle other players, or play cooperatively against the AI.
Check out the huge media blowout we secured for you. You'll find new art, screenshots are more in our updated gallery.
Square Enix wants you to know that Zack is one bad guy. Bad, of course, meaning good or cool. This CG video shows Zack dropping atop a train, immediately dodging bullets and generally causing chaos and mayhem. All in good fun, of course.
If the video streams a bit slowly for you, then hit pause once while its loading. Give it a few seconds of breathing room, and you should be set.
[Update: For more Crisis Core goodness, check out new screens at The Magic Box.]
Esteemed Japanese gaming magazine, Famitsu, has scored Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. The four reviewers gave it a 9, 9, 8 and a 9. Certainly an impressive set of numbers! Final Fantasy fans can sleep easier at night, knowing that this spin-off game isn't as disastrous as Dirge of Cerberus (which scored a low 28/40 from Famitsu). It ain't Final Fantasy XII, but we're still glad the game got reviewed as well as it did.
Until Crisis Core comes out, it looks like this blog will look more like "Crisis Core Fanboy" than "PSP Fanboy." Yes, there are other games coming out as well, but Square Enix knows how to fan the flames of their devoted fans through this media deluge they seem to be offering. Yet another trailer for the game has just been been released, offering an even greater look into the gameplay. It's familiar territory, yes -- but that doesn't mean you won't watch.
This may come as a surprise, but Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core actually has a battle system. Seriously. There's gameplay other than watching emotional boys talking to each other. And that's what Jeux France has managed to capture. Unlike the tradition FFVII games, the battle system is no longer turn-based. Watch these videos to see this new real-time battle system in action, complete with Materia.
What will undoubtedly be a massive media onslaught begins in Japan, as the first Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core ad hits Japan. The advertisement is not only important for Square Enix, as they promote their new game, but it is important for Sony as well. Such a hotly anticipated release will certainly generate a great deal of interest in the PSP platform, something that's going to aid Sony in the long-haul.
Thought you saw everything with the last Crisis Core video, didn't you? You would be wrong -- a new video has emerged that shows off the game's intro and, as expected, we're pleased to see it's worth viewing. Accompanying the fantastic visuals is a fantastic remix of the original Final Fantasy VII opening track. Ahh, Midgar. Whether or not you're a rabid fanboy of FFVII, everyone should set their agendas aside and see this game for what it is: impressive. We're pretty excited to take it for a spin, so until we can, we'll keep covering it every step of the way.
Kaz Hirai attended Square Enix's 10 year anniversary party for Final Fantasy VII, leaving a note saying "the best is yet to come." Is he alluding to Crisis Core? Or the oft-rumored Final Fantasy VII remake? Regardless, it looks like Square is far from milking this milestone RPG.
You must check out Kotaku's gallery from the event, which shows some memorabilia on display, such as the Final Fantasy VIIlimited edition PSP. Our heart yearns for it ... even if our wallets shy away.
Do you want fresh juicy burgers? Or how about fresh direct feed screenshots of Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core? Well, if it's lunch time, you probably want both. Too bad we can only help you with the latter.
These crystal-clear images show off how good the game will look on your PSP screen. If you're a true Crisis-aholic, you'll download these images to your PSP and pretend that you're already playing the game.
It's not easy being a Final Fantasy fan. You have to suffer through intolerable waits for the games, and pay astronomical prices for its merchandise. Take, for example, this Final Fantasy-themed case. The case, from Porter, dons a Crisis Core logo. But not only that, it has a pretty steep price tag: ￥9,975 ($86).
Okay, so you saw the Final Fantasy VII trailer. But don't you want to see it in English? Of course you do. Fans have taken the liberty to translate and re-release the most recent Crisis Core trailer with subtitles. Now, you can fully understand the (melo)drama of the upcoming FFVII prequel. Square fans, might as well get new underwear ready.
Looks like Square Enix forgot to save a Final Fantasy VIIlimited edition PSP for famed designer Tetsuya Nomura. The man responsible for all things Final Fantasy (including Crisis Core) failed to secure a system from the Square Enix shop, and now he has to wait in line just like everyone else. Good thing there's going to be 77,777 systems available. It was originally planned to be far less -- 10,000 units for the entire world to try and grab!
Final Fantasy-related mania is going to strike Japan soon, and we can't wait. Stay tuned for more.
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Looks like Square Enix forgot to save a Final Fantasy VII limited edition PSP for famed designer Tetsuya Nomura. The man responsible for all things Final Fantasy (including Crisis Core) failed to secure a system from the Square Enix shop, and now he has to wait in line just like everyone else. Good thing there's going to be 77,777 systems available. It was originally planned to be far less -- 10,000 units for the entire world to try and grab!
