Xboxist

Square Enix Unveils New Multi Platform Titles

As a precursor to its upcoming Square Enix Party in Japan, Square Enix unveiled a number of both previously announced and new forthcoming titles in development for multiple platforms, at a press conference at its headquarters.

According to our friends at GameSpot via GamaSutra, a key announcement made during the Square Enix press conference came in the form of The Last Remnant, a new original action RPG being developed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Designed to appeal to a global audience rather than just those players in Japan, The Last Remnant's lead developeris Nobuyuki Ueda, and is being built using Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3 middleware technology.

The company originally licensed the technology from Epic earlier this year, stating at that time that the publisher is “now building a combined technology platform to use throughout the company, utilizing proprietary technologies as well as third-party solutions such as Unreal Engine 3”.

Among the titles announced are the following. For PSP, two new titles, Star Ocean: The First Departure and Star Ocean: The Second Evolution are PSP remakes of the first two games in the franchise. With updated 3D graphics, voice overs and new in-game content. Enix also revealed that curently in collaboration with developers tri-Ace on the next game in the series, Star Ocean 4.

For PS2, Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job System, a remixed version of Final Fantasy XII's North American release, was also showcased during the presentation.

A new game starring Final Fantasy's iconic yellow chocobos is in development for the Wii, tentatively titled Chocobo's Dungeon: Toki Wasure No Meikyuu. The game represents the series' 10th anniversary, and will serve as a spiritual successor to the recently released Chocobo Tales for the Nintendo DS.

Finally, the company also announced titles in development in its Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series, including Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates for the Nintendo DS, which is expected to ship in Japan on August 23, 2007. Square Enix also confirmed continuing development on Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers, the upcoming Wii sequel to 2004's GameCube original.

Square Enix will no doubt reveal more details of these releases together with other projects in the weeks leading up to the ESA's revamped E3 Media & Business Summit in July, at which Square Enix will be exhibiting.