Final Fantasy IX, X, XI, Movie details

[01.29.00] » Final Fantasy IX medieval, "not realistic at all"; Square focuses on online future.

   The first details of the future of the Final Fantasy series have just arrived from Square Millennium. Final Fantasy IX has been confirmed for a summer 2000 release for the PSX. Final Fantasy X and XI will be released for PS2 in early 2001 and late 2001 respectively. The theme of the conference was "Play Online," and Square was keen to push the broadband capabilities of the PS2. Both of the PS2 Final Fantasy games will feature a strong online component, with Final Fantasy XI being an online only title.

   Several Final Fantasy IX FMV clips were shown; the game was revealed to have a medieval tone and a more "cartoony" feel than previous Final Fantasy games. Our agent at the conference described the characters as "similar to Playmobil characters" and "not looking realistic at all." Of course, this comes as no surprise to savvy GIA readers; the GIA reported on the use of this "new style" over 8 months ago in our preliminary concept sketches. The designs are super-deformed and very off-the-wall in a style similar to that of Chrono Cross. Confirmed characters include the venerable Black Mage, a dragon, and a character "with a cheetah tail." Many airships could also be seen. The battle system looks similar to the traditional Final Fantasy system, and gauges for HP, MP, and Time were present, with up to 4 party members battling at a time.

   Final Fantasy X can be played either as a single-player quest or as an online title; mock-up menus gave players a choice at the start of the game. Its appearance was described as exceedingly realistic; unsurprising, given Square's mastery of graphics and the power of the PlayStation 2. Footage included a character running through a lush, green valley and entering a building. The overworld map let you select and instantly warp to any location. Only two person parties were visible, although it is not known if this limitation will be present in the final game. The slogan is "The Journey Home," and the game's logo is imposed atop artwork of a girl surrounded by strange colors.

   Final Fantasy XI's slogan was, "Online Another World." The title will be online only and massively multiplayer. No footage was shown, only several sketches. In Final Fantasy XI, you can "choose to be any sort of player," and Square presented several sketches of the monsters, ogres, humans, and other characters as which you could role-play. The logo was an oceanic world, no doubt symbolic of Square's intent to create a world of united RPG fans.

   An action-packed Final Fantasy Movie trailer was also shown. While details are still sketchy, the story seems to revolve around an alien threat that looks similar to Starcraft's Protoss. The female protagonist is "infected" by an alien, and could now be a traitor to Earth's cause. The movie, as previously seen, is photorealistic and very lifelike. Square further mentioned that the film's official website will launch in March, with more information and media.

   It should be noted that these slogans were only to sell the games to the visitors at Square Millennium, and are not necessarily the final "taglines" of the games. The GIA will bring you more details throughout the evening as they arrive. Thanks to our agent in Japan for his assistance in covering the show.