"Following the great reception we received at the Venice Film Festival for our special edition version, I am pleased to announce the official release date of ADVENT CHILDREN," said director Tetsuya Nomura. "Not only can our fans follow the fate of their friends and allies after the great battle of FINAL FANTASY VII, they can also enjoy this new visual expression that is the result of the technological challenges that we overcame."
FINAL FANTASY VII, originally released in Japan for the PlayStation® game console on January 31, 1997 and September 7, 1997 in North America, redefined the standard for role playing games (RPGs) and has since achieved record-shattering sales of over 9.5 million units worldwide (3.9 million in Japan and 5.6 million in North America and Europe, as of September 2004). Fans have long requested a true sequel, and with FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN, their wishes are granted. The stunning quality of the imagery in ADVENT CHILDREN earned the title a special invitation to the 61st Venice International Film Festival and the Montreal Festival of Nouveau Cinema.
FINAL FANTASY VII Story
The story began in Midgar, where a corporate superpower known as the Shinra Electric Power Company used its monopoly on mako energy to dominate all aspects of life, securing political power in the process. Shinra's mako reactors dotted the city. However, mako was not the "wellspring of happiness" Shinra claimed it to be, but rather the vitality of the planet itself - the source of all life. Some began to realize: If we let this continue, the planet will die.
These individuals set up an anti-Shinra organization called "Avalanche," and began resistance efforts using guerrilla tactics. Among Avalanche's members was Cloud Strife, a former member of Shinra's elite guard, "SOLDIER." Though Cloud showed no emotion and was bound by no principles, a mission with Avalanche awoke in him the need to confront the holes in his past and question his very reasons for being. And that journey, perhaps, took the heaviest toll...
ADVENT CHILDREN Story
Two years have passed since the fated battle.
Though Midgar - city of mako, city of prosperity - has been reduced to ruins, its people slowly but steadily walk the road to reconstruction. However, a mysterious illness called -Geostigma- torments them. With no cure in sight, it brings death to the afflicted, one after another, robbing the people of their fledgling hope.
Cloud lives a quiet life with orphans, running a delivery service to get by. The loss of those dear to him during the great battle has left him with scars that do not heal. Overwhelmed by feelings of guilt, he carefully guards his heart.
Then, one day, a phone call comes offering work. The client is requesting protection from a young man named Kadaj. Before long, Kadaj's young and vicious gang preys on the orphans living with Cloud. But why the children? And more importantly, why Cloud? Faced with an inevitable battle, Cloud wavers: Are sins ever forgiven?
After a long struggle, the true battle with Kadaj - a battle beyond human understanding - begins.
Staff
DIRECTOR Tetsuya Nomura
CO-DIRECTOR Takeshi Nozue
SCENARIO Kazushige Nojima (STELLAVISTA LTD.
COMPOSER Nobuo Uematsu
ART DIRECTOR Yusuke Naora
PRODUCERS Yoshinori Kitase and Shinji Hashimoto
MECHANICAL/CREATURE DESIGN Takayuki Takeya
About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan’s best-selling franchises – FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 60 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST™, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide – under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Square Enix, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com/
© 2005 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA. FINAL FANTASY is a registered trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. ADVENT CHILDREN, DRAGON QUEST, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
