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Square Enix Swears Final Fantasy Versus XIII Is Worth The Wait

Ben-Dutka 57 Comments

Odd…I had no idea vaporware was worth the wait.

According to TakuChat citing a recent FF Dream interview with Square Enix's Julien Merceron, we find out a few things about Lighting Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and the mysterious Final Fantasy Versus XIII .

In relation to Lightning Returns , it seems that it will utilize elements from the previous two installments in the mini-series. But even more interesting is the apparent fact that it will also take advantage of Versus XIII elements… Okay, we'll leave that alone for now. As far as the evidently nonexistent Versus XIII is concerned, Merceron stated that it's "very ambitious" (hence the lengthy delay) and when it finally arrives, "people will be happy to have waited." Oh, and in the Too Obvious To Even Acknowledge category, Merceron added that Lightning Returns will be a lot different than FFXIII or FFXIII-2. Well, thanks. We got that.

But what's this about telling us Final Fantasy Versus XIII will be worth the wait? The game doesn't exist. It just doesn't. We've figured this out by now, haven't we? Well, I have, at any rate.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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Hey, Since When Is Final Fantasy Versus XIII “Nostalgic?”

Ben-Dutka 15 Comments

Now I'm all confused.

The game is taking eons to complete and at this point, nobody would be surprised to hear that it's coming to next-generation platforms. For a while there, we thought it was flat-out canceled.

But Square Enix still swears Final Fantasy Versus XIII is coming, and they keep giving us these little complimentary updates that don't really mean anything. But the latest might give you pause: Speaking at the ongoing FF 25th anniversary event in Tokyo, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada had an interesting comment :

"When it reaches the level where it gives you that nostalgic, 'this is Final Fantasy!' feeling, I want to show it to everyone."

We all saw a quick snippet of gameplay some time ago, which featured a real-time swords-flashing encounter and a large, apparently open-ended world map. Now, either the game has changed drastically since then, or there's a missed translation here. Or, and I suppose this is just as possible, Square Enix has just completely lost sight of what FF used to be and have actually forgotten how these games used to play. Because that statement really doesn't make any sense to long-time series fans who saw that footage. We didn't go, "Yep, that's Final Fantasy !"

I wonder if all the head honchos at FF have just totally cracked up.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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Wada: Versus XIII Has Not Been Canceled

Ben-Dutka 46 Comments

Last week, it was the rumor that shocked the entire gaming world .

Okay, maybe that's a slight exaggeration but either way, it seems that in fact, Final Fantasy Versus XIII has not been canceled. So put away the torches and pitchforks and stop planning the daring assault on Square Enix HQ.

According to Andriasang citing Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada's Twitter page, one of the most anticipated titles of the generation remains in development. Wada was apparently part of a "periodic meeting" for the game and claimed that the quality of the cityscape during the presentation "could make you lose your footing." …we're not entirely sure what that means, but maybe the English translation implies that it was so good, it would knock us off our feet; bowl us over, so-to-speak. He didn't say anything about when they might fully unveil the game, though.

Really, we'd just like a few clarifying tidbits, like intended platforms and estimated launch date. You don't have to be exact, just give us an idea. Otherwise, these cancellation rumors won't die…

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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Rumor: Final Fantasy Versus XIII Has Died A Quiet Death

Ben-Dutka 57 Comments

We told you it was nothing more than vaporware .

It has been six years since we first caught sight of the impressive Final Fantasy Versus XIII , and all we've had since that time are constant promises that say we'll get more info "soon." Now, according to Kotaku , it seems the anticipated title is no more.

"Several sources" have apparently said the game was officially cancelled within the last few weeks. Sadly, it was a decision that has hit Square Enix staff pretty hard, as morale is now quite low. On top of which, we may never know the real truth of the matter, as it seems Square Enix doesn't want to make any sort of announcement. They'd rather just let it fade away over time, possibly because a confirmation could result in declining stock value.

Earlier this year, there were rumors that Versus XIII had actually become Final Fantasy XV , thanks to a leaked video . But that was confirmed as fake, right? Still, it seems more possible than ever that whatever was Versus XIII has been – or is currently being – incorporated into the next installment in the primary franchise. That might not be a bad thing.

Still, if true, this is just more disappointment to heap atop the already depressing pile of disappointments for Square Enix fans this generation. Well, at least as far as Final Fantasy is concerned…and I still say I had fun with both FFXIII and FFXIII-2.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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If Versus XIII Is Dead, What Killed It?

Ben-Dutka 53 Comments

By now, everyone is aware of the depressing rumor .

But if Final Fantasy Versus XIII is indeed no more, the questions are going to mount and the biggest one might be: How and why did it die?

Blind optimism might say Square Enix is suddenly in tune with annoyed fans who have missed traditional role-playing elements. So maybe they looked at Versus XIII , saw what amounted to an action/RPG that was kinda like Kingdom Hearts in terms of gameplay, and said, "Hmm…our loyal old-school fans might not like this." …but of course, that's just plain absurd. S-E doesn't really care about old-fashioned RPG elements and besides, nobody is really entirely certain what Versus XIII was like in action.

We have some brief camera shots of the game being played at events over the past few years, but that's about it. We know it was real-time and we know it featured an open world. Beyond that, not a heck of a lot was confirmed. And with a significant lack of development information, it's difficult to pinpoint the reasons behind the cancellation unless Square Enix comes forward. But that's part of the problem; S-E is apparently willing to let this one fade out. So if they never officially cancel it, we'll never know what really killed the project. Any educated guesses?

Crazy over-budget? Got confused in terms of targeted platforms? Was it still going to be a PS3 exclusive or was Microsoft always angling to get it? Was it just in the way? Maybe at this point, the company would just rather focus on the next installment in the franchise (no, not FFXIII-3). This could go down as one of those mysterious game deaths where everyone is going-

"Wait, what happened?!"

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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Rumor: Final Fantasy Versus XIII Gets Dated At TGS 2012

Ben-Dutka 38 Comments

Most rumors concerning Final Fantasy Versus XIII fall flat. Take for instance the recent one that said the long-awaited title had suddenly become Final Fantasy XV .

And because the franchise in question was basically a no-show at E3 this year, the fans remain mostly in the dark. However, E3 isn't necessarily the place for Square Enix (or other Japanese developers) to hit the gaming world with big news; they often save that for the Tokyo Game Show, which comes around in the late summer/early fall.

This year's TGS will run between September 20 and 23 and according to a tip we've received from someone who claims to have heard the news "in passing" on the E3 showroom floor, Square Enix will provide a date for Final Fantasy Versus XIII at that time. This tipster did not overhear an actual date; just the "fact" that the date will be revealed at TGS this year. The person who said it is a Square Enix executive of some note, although he wouldn't give us the name for some reason.

Anyway, as is the case with any and all tips from anonymous sources, take this with a grain of salt. Just bear in mind that it certainly seems plausible…or maybe we're just being hopeful.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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