New trailers for FFXIII and FFVersusXIII. Get them before S-E pulls them off!

[Regulus Tera]

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v16902157Qf69KgJS
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v16902105DR7q4CJ3

Alternates:

Final Fantasy XIII: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43656.html
Final Fantasy Versus XIIII: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43655.html

[Kerensky287]

I just saw these earlier, actually. The Versus 13 trailer looks like pretty much exactly the same as what we've seen so far, with Noctus and his friends Not-Vaan, Not-Angeal and He-Quistis. Still looking forward to gameplay shots!

The FF13 trailer... I dunno. I'm sure the game will be good and I'll buy it for Xbox when it comes out, but I just find some of the designs to be so... stupid looking! I mean, you have the Shiva-Cycle, Carbuncle is now a clown, Ifrit is covered in lamps for some reason, there's some crazy thing with wing hair... or something... that's strumming a harp... I'm sure it would feel perfectly normal if we knew what was going on, but at this point it looks like a Silly Design contest.

It's a little too early to make judgment, though. We probably won't be getting either until 2010 or so anyway...

[Regulus Tera]

FFXIII: I find it funny that people bitched about Sakimoto's soundtrack for XII for being "too similar to Star Wars", yet this takes more cues from John Addams than Sakimoto ever did. That said, I'm not displeased with Hamauzu's score, yet I can tell it lacks the heart of Uematsu or the Wagnerianness of Sakimoto.

Either way, XIII looks... it looks like something. I can't quite tell what it is.

FFVersusXIII: Fuck yes, Shimomura is awesome! Stella has a nice behind yadda yadda. Reminds me of Persona. It's intriguing!

Looks like an interesting setting. Way more excited for this one than the main game.

EDIT: The ice scene in XIII was real-time, as was the everything with Noctis on a suit in VersusXIII. Also:

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/898/898599/final-fantasy-versus-xiii-20080813023441277.jpg
Backstreet's back, alright!

[Bells]

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/898/898599/final-fantasy-versus-xiii-20080813023441277.jpg
Backstreet's back, alright!

That should be a motivational poster


BTW Veoh is blocked for Brazil >.> godammit globalization!!

Im searching at youtube....

[The Wizard Who Did It]

From someone who's not been following FFXIII, the versus trailer intrigues me a lot more than the main title.

[Bells]

can somebody help me locate these on other vidoe sharing sites?

[Regulus Tera]

can somebody help me locate these on other vidoe sharing sites?

Final Fantasy XIII: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43656.html

Final Fantasy Versus XIIII: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43655.html

[Squall Leonhart]

I just saw these earlier, actually. The Versus 13 trailer looks like pretty much exactly the same as what we've seen so far, with Noctus and his friends Not-Vaan, Not-Angeal and He-Quistis. Still looking forward to gameplay shots!

The FF13 trailer... I dunno. I'm sure the game will be good and I'll buy it for Xbox when it comes out, but I just find some of the designs to be so... stupid looking! I mean, you have the Shiva-Cycle, Carbuncle is now a clown, Ifrit is covered in lamps for some reason, there's some crazy thing with wing hair... or something... that's strumming a harp... I'm sure it would feel perfectly normal if we knew what was going on, but at this point it looks like a Silly Design contest.

It's a little too early to make judgment, though. We probably won't be getting either until 2010 or so anyway...Li (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnpleasableFanbase)nk (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheLawOfFanJackassery)

[Krylo]

I'm actually liking the designs in FFXIII. The Espers/Summons/Guardians/Monsters/blahblahblah have always looked weird, so I'm not too worried about any of that.

The world at large, however, seems to combine a lot of the better designs from the previous games. I got a definite Midgar feel when they were shooting... ribbons? I don't know, whatever, at that thing in the dark. The soldiers felt very FFVII, as well. The ships gave me an FFXII feel, while the natural landscapes and animals felt a lot like FFX, which had absolutely beautiful geography. The cars and whatnot reminded me a lot of FFVIII, and the cars were one of the few things that I felt was done well in eight.

The heavy borrowing from design ideas from the past doesn't bother me, however, as they seemed to have taken relatively good design ideas.

FFVrsXIII, meanwhile, seems to take place in a world very much like our own but with Final Fantasy folks running around in it. I can't say that's not cool, because it is cool, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to enjoy it.

[POS Industries]

FINAL FANTASY XIII: A movie that might have some occasional video game-like interactive elements. We don't know.

[Lost in Time]

Wait, FFVrsXII is only for PS3? I think I just got very depressed. That looked very interesting. :(

[Regulus Tera]

^^^^They said the same thing about Final Fantasy XIII before E3 2008. We all know what happened with that.

[Fifthfiend]

Li (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnpleasableFanbase)nk (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheLawOfFanJackassery)

Just, wow. Take a week off.

I'll add some curse words in here later when I feel like expouding on your monumental douchery.

...For now I'm going to go start a TVTropes page for people who respond to every criticism of whatever stupid thing they're fan-addled over by calling the critics unpleasable jackasses. I think I'll call them Squall Leonharts.

[Meister]

That should be a motivational poster
No.

[Azisien]

Well it all looks fabulous doesn't it...I wonder how it'll play!

[Loyal]

...So what's the difference between the two exactly? I haven't exactly seen a lot of either besides the occasional trailer. And why "Versus"?

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

FFXIII is basically standard FF, set in a futuristic phantasy world bla bla usual FF stuff.

Versus is set in sort of an alternate version of our own world and... that's about all we know so far. The universe is the same, but neither game is a sequel or prequel to the other (how that works I don't know). Also Versus is a lot darker than any other FF.

There's also something about crystals.

Wiki can probably help here;

FFXIII (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ff13)

Final_Fantasy_Versus_XIII (http://"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final Fantasy Versus XIII)

[Regulus Tera]

Important too: FFVersusXIII has been described by Nomura's team as an action RPG in a similar vein to Kingdom Hearts, so you can imagine it will be flashy pleathery button-mashy action without Disney.

The "Versus" in the title is supposed to represent a new path in the FF series, or something straying from the norm.

[Bells]

Take Dirge of cerberus, Put in Kingdon Hearts, and add in some effort to make it better... that's what Versus XIII is trying to be.

Now, first of all, Thanks RT for the extra links... and man, im really liking what FFXIII is showing. Never mind the fantastic visuals... the whole mood of this game is appealing, at least to me. I Liked how they seems to be trying to incorporate the summons into the gameplay and story, and this whole "Industry Vs Nature" vibe seems right for the franchise

[Regulus Tera]

Done aaand done. Not a month old yet, so not necromancy! First scans of the battle system!

OMG Nomchan is so cute <333 (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/33668.jpg)
WTF is wrong with Lightning's face here? (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/33669.jpg)
Fuck Nomchan's real name (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/336110.jpg) :(
A Judgemagister mayhaps? (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/336211.jpg)
JIN-ROH (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/336212.jpg)
Some actual battles here (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/336213.jpg)
Boss battle (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/336214.jpg)
The field looks like FFXII's (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/336216.jpg)
More Jin-Roh rejects (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/336315.jpg)

[Bells]

A Judgemagister mayhaps? (http://i510.photobucket.com/albums/s348/RegulusTera/FFXIII/336211.jpg)


Looks more like General Griveous on a SE makeup to me!

And now for crazy theories...

http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/media/scans/famitsu/screenshots/05.jpg

http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/media/scans/famitsu/screenshots/04.jpg

Check these out...

First of all, the soldiers are being called "Psicom" ("Psionic Commandos"?? Maybe there is a Sci-Fi Psychic thing going on?)

Anyway, the ATB system seems quite nice... you pick actions (the number next to them seem to be how many slots in the bar they costs... so maybe MP is out) the actions get slotted in the action bar there (from teh trailer we know it grows over time and leveling) and you can chain combos.

Also, just to state the obvious... this game is looking gorgeous

[Regulus Tera]

Looks more like General Griveous on a SE makeup to me!

And now for crazy theories...

http://i43.tinypic.com/288ulvl.png

http://i43.tinypic.com/288ulvl.png

Check these out...

I think they mean you should not hotlink. (And now you got banned and I cannot know what exactly you were referencing.)

I find the combo system intriguing. It's supposed to be a bit like FFXII mixed with White Knight Chronicles. What I still don't get are Kitase's claims that it's supposed to implement some elements from FFX. Anyway, I'm liking what I'm seeing.

Three months for the demo, yikes!

[Bells]

strange... i can see the images just fine!

it's just some images from that website were they show with a little more clarity the fighting from the scans

And yes, it's a LOT like white knight, at least as far as we can connect those two right now

[PhoenixFlame]

I really dig the magitech designs since FFXII, (Or even X really) and they seem to be keeping these for XIII, which makes me very happy. While the commandos towards the end looked a little bright and colory and were similar to Starwars Clone Troopers, I saw quite a gamut of power armor designs that I *did* like. Sadly, the PCs probably won't be using any of that.

Ever since the old Phantasy Stars ended, I've really wanted something like this to come back into being. Hoping FFXIII will impress me, but I won't get my hopes up.

[Kim]

A few more things on the battle system (http://kotaku.com/5125932/final-fantasy-xiiis-battle-system-detailed)

I'm liking it. Sounds a little bit like Eternal Sonata, which is in no way a bad thing.

[Regulus Tera]

• Enemy HP: The HP and names of your foes are displayed — unlike previous games.

Bollocks; FFXII had it.

Need a gameplay video before anything.

[Kim]

I'm actually not sure how I feel about knowing the enemy's hp. Not knowing changes the strategy. On the one hand, the enemy might be close to death, and going all out to kill it might end the round quickly. On the other, if it isn't close to death, you could end up screwing yourself over because you didn't heal. And then I remember that it isn't turn based, and part of me is sad.

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Bollocks; FFXII had it.

So did FFX, with certain weapons. Frankly I don't get why you shouldn't get to see the hp.

And then I remember that it isn't turn based, and part of me is sad.

Well, seeing as only what, 5, FF games have used conventional turn based it's hardly surprising.

[DarkDrgon]

And then I remember that it isn't turn based, and part of me is sad.

agreed

[Bells]

I'm actually not sure how I feel about knowing the enemy's hp. Not knowing changes the strategy. On the one hand, the enemy might be close to death, and going all out to kill it might end the round quickly. On the other, if it isn't close to death, you could end up screwing yourself over because you didn't heal. And then I remember that it isn't turn based, and part of me is sad.

Well the reason for that is technical. In reality, the close someone is to deah (or KO) the more it would show on the Physical. Wounds, tiredness, etc... the real world "HP Bar" is visual cue. In a real world fight, an expert fighter would know who is getting weaker visually and on the spot.

But on a game, you would have to create a complex string of extra animations just for that... hence: HP Bars visible.

Also on the Turn Base... it's Semi. IT's kinda like FF12, but time just slow down when it's your time to pick your actions

[Regulus Tera]

It begins...
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/fabula/

The two songs in mp3 format, by the way: http://www.mediafire.com/?uzy2zylyd1b

The piano stuff is good. I like it! Battle music has a very interesting intro, but then it devolves into a totally generic bombastic and rather forgettable melody. I certainly hope the people praising this one are not the same who bashed Sakimoto's score for FFXII into oblivion.

EDIT FOR 14/01/2009

http://i40.tinypic.com/t0kx9t.jpg

"His name is サッズ・カッツロイ 'Sazh Katzroy', and he is a middle aged man. He dual wields pistols, has a baby chocobo, is a gentle hearted person easily moved to tears, possesses good judgment and a sense of social responsibility."

BEST. PARTY MEMBER. EVER.

[Kerensky287]

What makes me laugh the hardest about this is that this fellow is the first black party member since Barret Wallace. Think about that for a minute.

EDIT: His zelts/bippers have become BUTTONS, THOUSANDS OF BUTTONS!

[Truce]

The fact that he has a baby chocobo is my favorite part; it just looks so funny, being small enough to fit in his hand.

...though, it reminds me strangely of a peep.

[Regulus Tera]

What makes me laugh the hardest about this is that this fellow is the first black party member since Barret Wallace. Think about that for a minute.

http://i44.tinypic.com/t0k9k5.jpg http://i43.tinypic.com/rmtrwp.jpg

Kiros I can understand since he's not a permanent party member, but Fran should count no matter the bunny ears.

[Bells]

Ok, so, first Afro in a Final Fantasy game... i like it! I like it a lot!

[Regulus Tera]

Ok, so, first Afro in a Final Fantasy game... i like it! I like it a lot!

The best part is that it seems the baby Chocobo lives inside his afro. I wonder what else is hidden in it...

[Meister]

[pic]

BEST. PARTY MEMBER. EVER.
Okay, I think I'm con-
baby Chocobo lives inside his afro
YES. YES I AM CONVINCED.

[Kerensky287]

http://i44.tinypic.com/t0k9k5.jpg http://i43.tinypic.com/rmtrwp.jpg

Kiros I can understand since he's not a permanent party member, but Fran should count no matter the bunny ears.

I don't think Fran counts because she's a bunny. I mean, I could say (about FF12) "Hey, it's the first party member who is a bunny since FFTA." But she doesn't really count because she is not human.

Kiros I genuinely forgot about... though yeah, I don't think he counts either.

My point though was that Sazh and Barret are pretty much exact opposites (other than their common use of guns). Barret was like Mr T. Sazh seems to, umm, have a personality.

[Regulus Tera]

I don't think Fran counts because she's a bunny. I mean, I could say (about FF12) "Hey, it's the first party member who is a bunny since FFTA." But she doesn't really count because she is not human.

That's racist against bunnies. Bunnies are people, too!

My point though was that Sazh and Barret are pretty much exact opposites (other than their common use of guns). Barret was like Mr T. Sazh seems to, umm, have a personality.

Mental. Barret was the most charming and believable character in the entirety of FFVII. He's more human than Cloud, not less of a bastard than Cid, and definitely not an emo pansy-arse like Vincent.

But yeah, Sazh is awesome.

[Bells]

He's more human than Cloud

Redundant... and a bit of a oxymoron in a abstract way...

But yeah, Sazh is awesome.

Dude exists in our plane of knowledge for like a day and is already more charismatic than all 3 characters Squeenix presented... you know... mancloud, notseifer and Generic-Kawaii-red

[Kerensky287]

Mental. Barret was the most charming and believable character in the entirety of FFVII. He's more human than Cloud, not less of a bastard than Cid, and definitely not an emo pansy-arse like Vincent.

But yeah, Sazh is awesome.

Alrighty, point conceded on the Barret thing... though I will say that Mr T is a pretty charming and believable character, too.

Anyway, just looked on the wikipedia page for more info. I know Wiki isn't a reliable source, but a few things caught my eye (things in bold were added by me):

Several of the game's developers have worked on previous installments of the series. Motomu Toriyama, director of Final Fantasy X-2 and director and scenario writer of Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, will direct the game and write the story. Uh oh... I only played Revenant Wings of the two but the story was nothing too great.

Eiji Fujii, previously the movie director of Final Fantasy XII, will return in this position. Sounds good.

Isamu Kamikokuryō, previously the co-art director of Final Fantasy XII, will return as well, with Tetsu Tsukamoto designing the weapons. Looks good.

The main programmers will be Kazumi Kobayashi and Yoshiki Kashitani. No idea who they are...

Final Fantasy X's battle director Toshiro Tsuchida will return as the battle system director for the game. I haven't played FFX but I've heard it's excellent, so that sounds like a plus.

Seems pretty good overall. The only thing I'm KIND OF worried about is the story thing, but maybe it's better than I remember...? My most recent time spent with the game was just grinding mindlessly so maybe my memory is confused in that respect.

I read on the FFWiki, too, that the "main character" position will be de-centralized, somewhat like in FF6. There was NO source given for this info, but if it's true, that may be to the game's benefit. (Especially because it means that Sazh can be your main man!)

[Jagos]

Ya know... I might wanna pull the race card but first I gotta read up on Fran...

Be back later...

[Kaneda]

Seems pretty good overall. The only thing I'm KIND OF worried about is the story thing, but maybe it's better than I remember....?

I would be worried too, but having the FFXII movie director return assuages some of my story related concerns.

And Fran's not black. Just kinda tan. And rabbit.

[POS Industries]

This could very well be my favorite FF character since GBA Edgar.

[Jagos]

I would be worried too, but having the FFXII movie director return assuages some of my story related concerns.

And Fran's not black. Just kinda tan. And rabbit.

Kaneda says it better than I could. Disregard last statement.

[Regulus Tera]

This could very well be my favorite FF character since GBA Edgar.

What does GBA Edgar have that SNES Edgar doesn't?

[Kim]

A portrait when he talks.

[POS Industries]

What does GBA Edgar have that SNES Edgar doesn't?
About every last bit of his dialogue uncensored.

[Regulus Tera]

Oh yeah, I seem to remember hearing about him hitting on Relm being more blatant. Shudders and giggles, though.

[Kerensky287]

I wonder, would Nixon have been hit as hard by the Watergate scandal if he was black and had a baby bird living in his hair? Because that seems to be all you need to gain the lifelong trust of everyone around you these days.

[Mesden]

I wonder, would Nixon have been hit as hard by the Watergate scandal if he was black and had a baby bird living in his hair?

Dude there wouldn't have even been a watergate scandal. No one would've questioned a guy with a baby bird in his afro. I mean come on that is just adorable and awesome.

[POS Industries]

Oh yeah, I seem to remember hearing about him hitting on Relm being more blatant. Shudders and giggles, though.
Yeah, one instance among many, really. The two examples that stood out to me most were actually in the same scene, following the death of Leo. Of course, both Leo's death and the aftermath were the only two scenes left unchronicled by Kerensky, because he is a smelly loser.

And so, it is with that in mind that I bring you LET'S PLAY FF6: THE PERVERTENING!

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/pervertening1.jpg
Well, that seems innocent enough. She brought him tea, they said hello, and then she just let loose the whole evil plan. I don't know why a tea bringing lady was let in on the intricacies of shadowy schemes and Imperial politics, but I suppose this is a glaring example of why such things don't happen very often.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/pervertening2.jpg
Now what could Sabin mean by that? Edgar was obviously a perfect gentleman!

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/pervertening3.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/pervertening4.jpg
Oh, E. Roni, you sly dog! I hope he used protection, at least.

Wait, of course he did! He had his autocrossbow with him the whole time!


FOURTY-FIVE SECONDS LATER:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/pervertening5.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/pervertening6.jpg
Edgar stares at her chest for about a minute and a half.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/pervertening7.jpg
And with that, she makes like her father and runs the hell out of town.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o159/posindustries/pervertening8.jpg
I, uh.... But.....

Hm.

Hang on, I need to make a call. Hello, Dateline? Yes, is there a Mr. Hanson there? I'd like to speak with him about an important matter....

[Regulus Tera]

I really need to play Final Fantasy VI Advance one of these days. I've been putting it off since I really do not like what they did to the music, and that's a huge part of the experience for me.

[Kim]

Here comes NonCon, bringing sunshine and lollipops!

Great news! (http://kotaku.com/5132555/you-wont-play-final-fantasy-xiii-until-2010)

Waiting for the latest instalment in the Final Fantasy series? Great! You just keep on waiting, because Square Enix boss Yoichi "Imperial Hot" Wada has said it won't be out in the West until 2010.

Speaking with Reuters, Wada confirms that while the Japanese release of Final Fantasy XIII (which is exclusive to the PS3) will take place in 2009, the Western release - which will appear on both the PS3 and Xbox 360 - won't go down until at least April 2010.

Or, in a way I can put it to maximise disappointment, over a year away.

[Regulus Tera]

Pretty much what everyone was expecting. Square has been really slow this gen.

Oh well, someone will yootoob the cutscenes two days after launch.

[Kerensky287]

Pretty much what everyone was expecting. Square has been really slow this gen.

Oh well, someone will yootoob the cutscenes two days after launch.

After? Bah! Try before!

[Bells]

well, to be honest... this project is no small task, and it's not like square hasnt provide new games and good remakes in those 4 years FF13 was in the making... and since they will only work on the Xbox version once the PS3 version is complete, then, that's pretty much what that +1 year is all about for the US version

[Kim]

I don't get why we have to wait till both versions are finished though.

[Regulus Tera]

well, to be honest... this project is no small task, and it's not like square hasnt provide new games and good remakes in those 4 years FF13 was in the making... and since they will only work on the Xbox version once the PS3 version is complete, then, that's pretty much what that +1 year is all about for the US version

Bollocks. Square Enix had worldwide releases for Infinite Undiscovery and The Last Remnant, and I'm pretty sure Star Ocean 4 will get one too. This is just them being obnoxiously lazy.

[Fifthfiend]

http://i44.tinypic.com/t0k9k5.jpg http://i43.tinypic.com/rmtrwp.jpg

Kiros I can understand since he's not a permanent party member, but Fran should count no matter the bunny ears.

No, I'm going to go ahead and say that Fran doesn't at all count, specifically because of the bunny ears.

[greed]

http://kotaku.com/5133517/lets-read-final-fantasy-xiii-scans-in-english

For those who don't speak Japanese. Seems Sahz has a past with Lightning. And a lot of stuff about them being a good combination due to him being a nice guy and her being well, not. Also that "big role in the first half of the demo" better not mean he gets killed off.

[Bells]

http://kotaku.com/5133517/lets-read-final-fantasy-xiii-scans-in-english

For those who don't speak Japanese. Seems Sahz has a past with Lightning. And a lot of stuff about them being a good combination due to him being a nice guy and her being well, not. Also that "big role in the first half of the demo" better not mean he gets killed off.

Well, they said it would be more like FF6 were the main focused shifted between the characters...

Also, it says he is in the Demo... so, this should be pretty good start actually

[Regulus Tera]

http://kotaku.com/5133517/lets-read-final-fantasy-xiii-scans-in-english

For those who don't speak Japanese. Seems Sahz has a past with Lightning. And a lot of stuff about them being a good combination due to him being a nice guy and her being well, not. Also that "big role in the first half of the demo" better not mean he gets killed off.

I'm thinking RanmaXAkane hijinks here.

[Bells]

Hey kids, are you printing your own money? If you said yes, you can play the FFXIII demo on your brand new FF7 AC PS3 on April 16!

http://www.shopncsx.com/ff7adventchildrenps3.aspx

Price: $619.90

At least we know the date when youtube will get flooded with FF13 footage

[Regulus Tera]

And that price is without import fees, oh boy.

It's still kinda dull as a special design for a collector's PS3. Cloud's "wolf" ain't that pretty.

[Meister]

Another new trailer (http://www.square-enix.co.jp/fabula/ff13/).

Pretty standard Final Fantasy cutscene fair, it seems. Watching this it occurs to me that a Final Fantasy game with a design that relied more on technology than magic and mysticism would be a pretty awesome change of pace.

[Bells]

Awwwwwh i was going to place that link here

but anyway, it's not just cutscenes... there is some Battle Footage

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/kotaku/2009/01/ffxiiitrailer.jpg

There this whole FF6 vibe going on, with Technology Vs Nature theme, and i like it. But also, really like the voices i heard so far.

[Regulus Tera]

Yootoob'd Subtitled Trailer for your convenience. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ6Bq6sW_PA&fmt=18)

Finally watched it. I'm not impressed with the story yet (fuck all the Tales of the Abyss lingo), but what I saw from the gameplay was promising, if anything. I'm one of the few who admit enjoying Advent Children's battles, and provided there's a good way to keep everything under control I'm in.

I'm warming up to the music. Finally a trailer that makes good use of it. If I have to say I'm disappointed with anything is the difference between FMVs and real-time cutscenes is still too notorious. It really forces you out of the experience (which, yes, I felt with the previous 3D games).

There this whole FF6 vibe going on, with Technology Vs Nature theme, and i like it. But also, really like the voices i heard so far.

While some of the plot elements are from FFVI by virtue of FFVII reusing them in the first place, I think the vibe Square is trying to get with this one is for the latter.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7276/picture1if5.png

By the way, it seems these two new characters are party members too. I dub redhead "Not-Wakka". Don't know what to call the girl.

[Kim]

She looks like a Soul Calibur character. Not a specific one, just like she belongs in that universe. I mean, give her an oversized sword or spear or some such and you are set. Any knowledge on English voice actors? Have any been cast yet?

[Regulus Tera]

No, and we'll probably not get an English cast for a long time. The demo is coming in Japan in April, with the final tentative release being December. We can expect the North American launch around mid-2010 if we are lucky.

[Squall Leonhart]

[...]

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7276/picture1if5.png

By the way, it seems these two new characters are party members too. I dub redhead "Not-Wakka". Don't know what to call the girl.I'd call them "Not Dagger/Garnet", "Not Seifer", and "Not Wakka", from left to right.

The plot didn't really got my attention since I didn't really understand (and I haven't really been following progress to this game), but the battle scenes just look awesome, and hope to some more of it else were if it happens to be as cool as they look.

[Regulus Tera]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/Felicific/Game/AsianGirl.jpg

She looks more like "Not-FFX2-Yuna" to me.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/Felicific/Game/Goggles.jpg

According to 2ch's reports this kid was seen in a battle in the Jump Festa trailer. I dub him "Not-Final-Fantasy-Unlimited-Cid".

[greed]

First thing I thought about the red head was that he looked like Ifrit made human. Then I though he looked kinda like Zell and Wakka's lovechild.

Also generic girl is generic, and continues the ever shortening skirts theme, finally reaching panties. I swear eventually we're gonna get a heroine with nothing but a belt across the hips and a zipper down the front.

Also yeah my first thought upon Snow or whatever he's called way back when he was announced, is that he is totally Seifer with an early 2000s boy band makeover.

[Bells]

Well, i guess im the optimistic here today, as i was quite happy with their exchange of trading Belts and Zippers with Glowy Sticks on everything. That's nice.

Also, i would like to make a case for the characters, as they being "fresh"... but they arent. They do look as coming from the FF Pattern. Also, this is the most "Tech" FF setting since FF8 (FF8 had a freaking Spaceship, ok?) beating the "Medieval Star Wars" Feeling out of FF12 easy...

as for their looks, i think i found the formula. It's not one charcter, it's a combo.

Snow could be either Kingdon Heart's Seifer
http://www.ffcompendium.com/misc/kh2-seifer-a.jpg

OR a combo between Classic Seifer and that one guy from The World Ends with you
http://www.rincongamer.com/imagenesNuevas/nds/worldendsyou/personajes/beat_01.jpghttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Vj%2BRn%2BEZL._AA280_.jpg

The new girl on the other end, seem more like this combination:

http://ui32.gamespot.com/2015/ashe_2.jpghttp://ffsaga.wdfiles.com/local--files/final-fantasy-saga:example-characters/x2-yuna.jpg

Also... just tossing a coin on the Fountain here...

If it turns out that the 2 newcomers ara called Biggs (the guy) and Wedge (the girl) i'll love it forever.

[Regulus Tera]

"Not-Wakka"'s name is Gadou, going from the names in the menu commands.

I knew I had seen Beat in Kingdom Hearts before.

[Kaneda]

THE FAL'CIE CURSED US. WE'RE L'CIE NOW!

So yah, not exactly sold on the plot yet, but then again I don't know anything about it.

[Kim]

I thought it was I'Cie. Shows how much I know.

All I know about the plot is that everyone lives in Midgar Cocoon, and if people get tainted or some such they get sent out into Pulse, which is the outside world. It looks like you start off as a member of Avalanche some unnamed resistance faction. Also, summons are plot related. That's about it. I assume the Falsies are either some evil third group, or the group in charge of Cocoon. The Icees might be the people being sent out into Pulse. They might also be Organization 13.

[Bells]

It's Wikipedia to the Rescue!!!

The plot focuses on the fal'Cie, a race existing beyond humanity. The people marked by the fal'Cie for a greater purpose are named the l'Cie. Some thirteen centuries ago, a mythical Crystal told the fal'Cie to construct a paradise for humanity. The shell-like city of Cocoon was created to float high above the surface of the world now known as Pulse, and it was maintained by its own Crystal. Cocoon's Crystal created life forms and machines for its inhabitants to use, and humanity flourished. Over time, the people of Cocoon began to fear for the safety of their world, and were worried that it would be cast down from the sky. In present day, the wilderness of Pulse has strange effects on people, and the theocratic Holy Government of Cocoon quarantines and exiles anyone who has been influenced by Pulse from the city with the help of its mighty army. A former soldier of that army, a woman codenamed Lightning is chosen by the fal'Cie to become a l'Cie, and with that to be an enemy of humanity and bring about the downfall of Cocoon.

[Regulus Tera]

It's Wikipedia to the Rescue!!!

Oh God, it's Tales of the Abyss all over again. D=

The fonon tree holy hiploth of the fon master must be stopped!

[Ryong]

It sounds like a mash-up of FF7 - Lightning's an ex-soldier in a super technologically advanced city excluded from the outside world - and FF12 - Lightning is chosen by magical beings to destroy a government.