LOS ANGELES (December 26, 2008) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES®: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS® arrived at North American retailers today. An action adventure developed exclusively for Wii™, Square Enix delivers an unforgettable addition to the CRYSTAL CHRONICLES universe this holiday season.
The CRYSTAL CHRONICLES franchise enters the action-adventure genre for the first time with FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS. Combining in-depth storytelling and an expansive world with motion-driven, real-time gameplay, this title allows players to freely explore and interact with a vibrant game world.
Continuing the strong tradition of graphical excellence in the FINAL FANTASY series, the game melds realistic gameplay and fantastical art direction. FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS is a unique experience for this holiday season and accessible to gamers of all levels.
STORY
A thousand years have passed since the events of the original FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES. The destruction of the Yuke Crystal during the Great War had at once brought the victorious Lilty Tribe prosperity, the defeated Yuke Tribe apparent annihilation, and the world a new age of science and reason. In this new era exists a rare breed of powerful beings called "crystal bearers," whose seemingly magical abilities have led them to be feared and scorned by the public. The young mercenary Layle is one such crystal bearer, who has been hired to escort the new passenger airship Alexis, the pinnacle of Lilty technology and a symbol of their current dominance. However, when the Alexis is suddenly besieged by a horde of monsters, Layle comes face-to-face with an adversary thought to have vanished from the pages of history, on a quest that may threaten the future of the world...
FEATURES
Worldwide, TAITO has released six titles for the iPhone and iPod touch to date. Of these, COOKING MAMA, SPACE INVADERS®, SPACE INVADERS INFINITY GENE™, and BUST-A-MOVE® (also known as PUZZLE BOBBLE® outside of North America) were featured in the iTunes Rewind 2009 listings.
COOKING MAMA, an innovative hit series, allows players to enjoy the experience of food preparation through a variety of activities, simulating chopping ingredients, frying, boiling, etc. Specially optimized for the iPhone and iPod touch and featuring fun and easy-to-use controls, the iPhone edition of the game offers a unique play experience from the internationally popular console versions of COOKING MAMA. Ever since its release to the App Store, COOKING MAMA has enjoyed strong, consistent sales, earning a place in Rewind 2009 features for more than 65 countries across the globe, including England and the United States of America.
SPACE INVADERS, a faithful iPhone rendition of the classic arcade game that took the world by storm in 1978, was featured as a top-selling game for Australia and New Zealand.
The evolution-themed shooting game SPACE INVADERS INFINITY GENE received extremely strong support in Japan. Boasting over 360 5-star customer reviews, SPACE INVADERS INFINITY GENE was named both one of the best and top-selling games in the Japanese iTunes Rewind 2009 list.
Action puzzle game BUST-A-MOVE has benefited from considerable popularity since its initial arcade release in 1994, with subsequent home console editions enjoying consistently strong sales worldwide. BUST-A-MOVE was included in the iTunes Rewind 2009 listing for 12 countries, proving particularly successful in Europe.
In celebration of the games’ appearance in the iTunes Rewind 2009 feature and as a show of gratitude to all the iPhone/iPod touch users from around the world that helped make 2009 such a success, TAITO is holding a special Holiday Campaign sale. Featured game COOKING MAMA is available at a price of $3.99 (2.99 Euro), discounted from its standard $6.99 (5.49 Euro) price. BUST-A-MOVE is also on sale for $2.99 (2.39 Euro), down from $4.99 (3.99 Euro). See below for the full campaign details.
In other BUST-A-MOVE news, the game received a substantial update on Tuesday, December 15th, with two new modes now available via in-app purchase. Cooperative Mode allows two players to work together to complete a shared stage; sharing a single iPhone/iPod touch, the players assume the roles of Bub and Bob, with each player controlling their own bubble launcher. Puzzle Mode adds the ability to greatly expand the number of available stages, with four new 50-stage Puzzle Packs available for sale. Both additional modes allow both new and previous owners of the game to experience new styles of play.
TAITO will continue to release high-quality games that take full advantage of the iPhone and iPod touch’s individual characteristics.
A follow up to this summer's release of FINAL FANTASY VII, the fastest selling PSone® title for PlayStation Network to date, the launch of FINAL FANTASY VIII for PlayStation Network invites FINAL FANTASY fans to relive the romance, mystery, and excitement that the title delivered when it was first released for PSone in 1999.
"We're very excited to share the FINAL FANTASY VIII experience with not only a new generation of RPG gamers, but also all of our long-time FINAL FANTASY fans," said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. "FINAL FANTASY VII received an incredibly warm reception on the PlayStation Network, and we are thrilled to see what possibilities this latest release of FINAL FANTASY VIII will bring to the franchise."
"FINAL FANTASY VIII and the entire FINAL FANTASY series have always had such a large and passionate fan base and close affiliation to PlayStation platforms," said Rob Dyer, senior vice president publisher relations, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "We have always been committed to providing great entertainment experiences to both hard core fans as well as new gamers joining the PlayStation family, and are thrilled to continue to provide those fans with the opportunity to enjoy classic RPG gaming via PlayStation Network."
For more information on FINAL FANTASY VIII, please visit the official site below: http://na.square-enix.com/ff8
About FINAL FANTASY VIII
| Platforms: | PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system / PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system |
| Genre: | Role-Playing |
| ESRB: | T (Teen) |
| Launch Title: | Now Available |
| Price: | $9.99 |
In a world where an ancient energy known as the Sorceress Power is passed down through generations, the peace of the realm is threatened when the evil Sorceress Ultimecia takes power as ruler of the Galbadia Republic. To restore order, Squall, a member of Balamb Garden Military Academy's elite mercenary force SeeD, other allies from the Garden, and Rinoa, a member of the resistance, join together on a journey that spans time and space.
Download this PSone classic today and experience the adventure of a lifetime!
FINAL FANTASY XIII fans can meet other fans from around the world and stay updated on the latest news, screenshots and videos by joining the official FINAL FANTASY XIII Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIII. In addition, fans can follow FINAL FANTASY XIII in real-time on Twitter http://twitter.com/OfficialFFXIII to get all the latest breaking information first.
One of the most highly anticipated games of this generation, FINAL FANTASY XIII marks the dawning of a new era for the celebrated franchise, bringing the series to multiple hi-definition consoles simultaneously for the first time in its history. Introducing the ultimate Active Time Battle system and extraordinary new characters, FINAL FANTASY XIII will set new standards for role playing games.
FINAL FANTASY XIII will be available for both the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on March 9, 2010.
Official Web Sites:
FINAL FANTASY XIII information: http://finalfantasyxiii.com
FINAL FANTASY XIII Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIII
FINAL FANTASY XIII Twitter: http://twitter.com/OfficialFFXIII
Cocoon — a utopia in the sky.
Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise.
Under the Sanctum's rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity.
Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal'Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever.
Their tranquility was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal'Cie.
The moment that fal'Cie from Pulse — the feared and detested lowerworld — awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end.
Fal'Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants.
They become l'Cie — chosen of the fal'Cie.
Those branded with the mark of a l'Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself.
A prayer for redemption.
A wish to protect the world.
A promise to challenge destiny.
After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins.
SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes - Encore is an RPG that transforms your iPhone/iPod touch songs into powerful "Tune Troopers" that you can control in battles. With a compelling storyline and intelligent battle system, both of which come to life with the help of your own music, the game offers a rare opportunity to enjoy a rich RPG experience on the iPhone/iPod touch.
A remake of the iPod version released in July 2008, SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes - Encore utilizes the platforms’ touch screen control system and includes many new characters and scenarios for players to enjoy on the go.
SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes - Encore features many exciting gameplay elements, all of which relate to and interact with the player’s music collection. Play as an adventurer named Ziggy, as he deceives the Mechanical Militia and embarks on a melodious journey in "Story Mode". The "Listening Point System" enables players to gain additional abilities and make characters stronger automatically by listening to the songs used to create their in-game fighter. Accessing the "Fighter Guide" will enable players to collect all the fighters they summon during gameplay.
Publisher: Square Enix Co., Inc.
Platform: iPhone and iPod touch
Genre: RPG
Launch Date: December 3, 2009
Price: $9.99 (iTunes Store download)
Official Site: http://dlgames.square-enix.com/songsummoner/
© 2009 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.
MAIN CHARACTER DESIGN: YUSUKE NAORA, ROBERTO FERRARI
Developed by Avalanche Studios and using the proprietary Avalanche 2.0 Engine, Just Cause 2™ features over 1000Km2 (400miles2) of South East Asian island paradise in one of the richest, most realistic game worlds ever seen. Snow-capped mountains, sun-kissed beaches, dense jungle and arid deserts create a stunning backdrop for a unique and compelling take on open-world gameplay.
"Just Cause 2 offers the freedom to explore and tackle the world in any way you choose," said Lee Singleton, General Manager of Square Enix London Studios. "The grapple and the parachute mechanic will change the way you play open-world games, allowing players to be in the air in seconds, tackling missions from above and using the aerial advantage. If you prefer to stay on solid ground, the choices offered by the grapple are limited only by your imagination."
As Rico Rodriguez, the Agency's most powerful weapon, players must take on the island of Panau and its military regime in order to track down Rico's former boss and mentor, Tom Sheldon, who has gone rogue with millions in Agency cash and intel. Using a unique grapple and parachute combination, there is no vertical limit as the air becomes your playground: grapple a passing plane in flight, hijack helicopters, BASE jump from the tallest buildings or mountains and leave a trail of chaos and destruction in your wake. Just Cause 2 offers players the freedom to attack missions any way they choose and, with over 100 vehicles and countless upgrades and collectibles, the choices for relentless adrenaline-fuelled action are limitless.
Just Cause 2 will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows, and will be released under the EIDOS brand portfolio. More information is available on the official website at www.justcause.com.
SUPREME COMMANDER 2 is the next installment in the award-winning SUPREME COMMANDER franchise, set 25 years further into the future. Featuring numerous game enhancements, an in-depth campaign mode, online multiplayer and a unique storyline, the game represents a new dimension in RTS gaming.
Boasting intense battles on a massive scale, players will wage war, creating enormous customizable armies and experimental war machines that can change the balance of power at any given moment. Assume the role of one of the three enigmatic commanders, each representing a unique faction with a rich story that brings a new level of emotional connection to the RTS genre.
"The partnership with Square Enix has been a highlight of my career," said Chris Taylor, Founder and Creative Director of Gas Powered Games. "I couldn’t be more proud of what the team has accomplished, as the game has continually exceeded all of my expectations throughout its development."
"Supreme Commander 2 is a shining example of our strategic partnership with Gas Powered Games," said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. "Square Enix's expertise in character development and storytelling, combined with the real-time strategy experience of the creative talent at Gas Powered Games, promises to deliver a feature-rich product that we hope gamers from around the globe will enjoy."
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a raw and brutal crime shooter designed to take players on an even more intense story experience, following two of gaming's most disturbed criminals, through the gritty Shanghai underworld.
Introducing a new visual experience, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is inspired by documentary filmmakers and the user-generated era. Every aspect of the game has been designed to deliver a fresh perspective to the words 'intensity' and 'realism' in video games.
"Gamers are always looking for something new and that is exactly what they are going to get with Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days," said Niels Jørgensen, general manager of IO Interactive. "A special thanks to gamers worldwide for their feedback. They are certainly in for a shock as we, with immense pride, welcome back our two dear, violent and somewhat unfortunate friends."
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will be released under the EIDOS brand portfolio and will be coming in 2010.
Please visit www.KaneandLynch.com for updates.
"We couldn't be more excited by the launch of GYROMANCER — a collaborative project that brings together an incredible storyline, compelling puzzle-RPG elements and the highest production values," stated Jason Kapalka, co-founder and chief creative officer at PopCap. "In developing the game, we did some early prototypes of the puzzle engine at PopCap, then Square Enix took over on the bulk of development, fleshing out the RPG components, and of course, adding all the incredible artwork and music. From my point of view, it's been truly fascinating to watch Square Enix work, and equally gratifying to see the concept of 'FINAL FANTASY plus Bejeweled' actually come to life."
Assume the role of a rebel faction leader named Rivel, a summoner who has ventured deep into the enchanted Aldemona Wood to hunt a bounty. Players will be deeply challenged to solve compelling puzzles and achieve a range of objectives while defeating massive beasts – all within an allotted time. Along the way, they will earn great rewards for completing these feats while entrenched in a rich and engaging storyline.
GYROMANCER is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. GYROMANCER is available via Xbox LIVE Arcade and STEAM for 1200 Microsoft Points / $14.99. The official website can be found at http://dlgames.square-enix.com/gyromancer/.