E3 2006: First Final Fantasy XIII details @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on May 09, 2006

News: Two games, one number. Is that Square-Enix's way around unlucky 13?

Not surprisingly, Square-Enix revealed that Final Fantasy XIII would be released exclusively on the PS3. However, what was surprising was the scope Square-Enix has planned for the title.

Taking place over three games (two for the PS3 and one for mobile phones), Final Fantasy XIII vaults the series into a sci-fi future with a female protagonist.

While the game's official title is Final Fantasy XIII, it will be part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis saga, which is Latin for "the new tale of the crystal". The two games for the PS3 will be known as Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII.

XIII will be a straight Final Fantasy RPG while Versus XIII will be more of an action RPG a la Kingdom Hearts.

They were also quick to point out that these two titles would not be the only games in the Final Fantasy XIII project. More will be announced at a later date.

We also have first details on both titles from Square-Enix:

Final Fantasy XIII
A tale of souls from a futuristic civilization illuminated by the Light of the Crystal

This eagerly anticipated title takes full advantage of the PlayStation 3 system's advanced hardware, providing tangible, intuitive controls while delivering seamless transitions between real-time gameplay and stunning in-game cinematics. The latest in cutting-edge technology has been utilized in development of Final Fantasy XIII, thus making this newest addition to the Final Fantasy series worthy of the title "next generation."

*This title is not yet concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America

Key Development Staff
Director: Motomu Toriyama (Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy X-2)
Character designer: Tetsuya Nomura (Final Fantasy V~VIII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy VII Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts)
Art director: Isamu Kamikokuryo (Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XII)
Main programmer: Kazumi Kobayashi (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy XI)
Movie director: Eiji Fujii (Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Final Fantasy XII)
Main theme: Nobuo Uematsu, Smile Please Co., LTD. (Final Fantasy series)
Composer: Masashi Hamauzu (Final Fantasy X, Dirge of Cerbuerus: Final Fantasy VII)
Producer: Yoshinori Kitase (Final Fantasy series)

Final Fantasy Versus XIII
Harmony is realized in this alternate tale of Final Fantasy XIII

Not a merely a sequel, but a wholly independent story unfolding in a different world with different characters. This title will appear alongside Final Fantasy XIII on the PlayStation 3 system.

When coupled with Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII completes the core of the Fabula Nova CrystallisProject.

*This title is not yet concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America

Key Development Staff
Director & Character designer: Tetsuya Nomura (Final Fantasy V~VIII, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy VII Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts)
Movie director: Takeshi Nozue (Final Fantasy IX, Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy VII Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts)
Composer: Yoko Shimomura (Legend of Mana, Parasite Eve, Kingdom Hearts)
Producer: Shinji Hashimoto

We'll have more on the Final Fantasy XIII project soon.