E3 2005: Square-Enix's Lineup @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on April 25, 2005

News: The RPG king releases their E3 list.

Square-Enix has released their E3 list and what's not on it is more interesting that what is on it. After previously announcing a ton of DS support, none of those games appear on Square-Enix's E3 list. It's PS2-only. Like the Little Rascals, no other consoles allowed. A lot of PC and Mobile Phone stuff, but no other consoles. Maybe next year, or a surprise announcement perhaps?

But what we do have is a decent enough little list. More Final Fantasy, more Kingdom Hearts and the return of Dragon Warrior (known as Dragon Quest in America for the first time!).

DIRGE OF CERBERUS: FINAL FANTASY VII
DIRGE of CERBERUS for the PlayStation 2 is the third installment in the COMPILATION OF FINAL FANTASYVII. Taking place three years after the original PS one game console title, gamers follow Vincent Valentine's journey as he uncovers shocking truths never revealed in Midgar. Vincent is connected to recent attacks, and he may be the only one who can save this shattered world. When the world is engulfed in darkness, his gun will toll a dreadful dirge... The release date for DIRGE of CERBERUS will be announced at a later time. This title has not yet been rated by the ESRB. This title is not officially concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
DRAGON QUEST VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is the latest installment of the immensely popular DRAGON QUEST series that has sold over 35 million units worldwide and is the first to be released for the PlayStation 2. Characters designed by Akira Toriyama are brought to life by "cel-shading," bringing gamers of all ages into a world straight out of Japanese anime. In DRAGON QUEST VIII, old meets new, as classic gameplay is married to sumptuous graphics, delivering the kind of sweeping adventure that only DRAGON QUEST games can offer. The release date for DRAGON QUEST VIII will be announced at a later time. This title has been rated T (Teen) by the ESRB.

FINAL FANTASY XII
FINAL FANTASY XII for the PlayStation 2 is the story of a world called Ivalice. Our tale begins in the Royal City of Rabanastre, against a backdrop of impending war. Rabanastre is the heart and capital of Dalmasca, a kingdom recently conquered by the neighboring Archadian Empire. The appointment of a new imperial consul gives the main character Vaan the chance he's been waiting for, but an unexpected turn of events puts Vaan and his friend Penelo alongside the sky pirate Balthier and his partner, Fran. Meanwhile, Princess Ashe, the sole surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne, struggles to restore freedom to her people. Return to an age when magic was commonplace and airships plied the skies, crowding out the heavens. Return to Ivalice. The release date for FINAL FANTASY XII will be announced at a later time. This title has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2: Curse of the Crimson Elixir is the fast-paced action RPG prequel to FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST and the Broken Angel. The second installment in the FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST series brings an enhanced battle system, cel-shaded graphics, thirty minutes of original animation and an enthralling storyline to the PlayStation 2. Based on the wildly popular Japanese animation and comic of the same name, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2 follows the continuing journey of two brothers on their life-changing quest. FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST 2 is slated for release in July 2005 and has been rated T (Teen) by the ESRB.

KINGDOM HEARTS II
KINGDOM HEARTS II for the PlayStation 2 follows Sora, Donald, and Goofy on their continuing quest to find their friends and King Mickey. Haley Joel Osment (Secondhand Lions, The Sixth Sense) reprises his role as the main character Sora and is joined by Ming-Na (ER, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within) who voices Mulan and James Woods (Be Cool) who returns as the villain Hades, along with a slew of soon to be announced celebrity voices. It has been a year since the events of KINGDOM HEARTS CHAIN OF MEMORIES. The story begins in Twilight Town, a quiet burg nestled between night and day. Sora and friends are joined by a vibrant new cast of characters, including the king himself! In the effort to help Mulan and stop the villain Hades' devious plots, they will encounter countless dangers both familiar and brand-new. The release date for KINGDOM HEARTS II will be announced at a later date. This title has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

RADIATA STORIES
RADIATA STORIES is the latest PlayStation 2 fantasy RPG by tri-Ace, developer of Valkyrie Profile and the Star Ocean series for the PlayStation 2. An emotional story about the conflict between humans and fairy creatures is complemented by a new gameplay system that draws the player deep into the game. Enter a never-before-seen living, breathing world where all of the characters live their own lives and the passage of time brings about remarkable changes. Your choices determine which of over 150 individuals will lend you a hand in your journey. Precise, easy-to-use controls allow you to add strategies to real-time battles through various changes in your party's formation. Radiata Stories is slated for release in Fall 2005. This title has not yet been rated by the ESRB. This title is not officially concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Romancing SaGa
Romancing SaGa for the PlayStation 2 is the latest in the legendary SaGa series, blending technology and creative vision together to produce a world of wonder. A thousand years ago, Saruin was imprisoned. But the barriers that contain him are weakening, and his foreboding shadow threatens to swallow the world of Mardias once again. Who will rid the world of Saruin's scourge? A mysterious minstrel sometimes guides your party to adventure and at other times protects it from shadow. Occasionally he forces upon you grave choices that will change the world in which you travel and twist the plots you encounter. The free-roaming scenario system gives you a choice of eight intriguing playable main characters, each with their own adventures and goals. The release date for Romancing SaGa will be announced at a later time. This title has been rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) by the ESRB. This title is not officially concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.

FRONT MISSION Online
Since 1995, gamers have been captivated by the strategic combat, giant humanoid vehicles ("wanzers"), deep storylines, and real-world settings of the FRONT MISSION series. Now, the series goes online for the first time in its history with FRONT MISSION Online for the PlayStation 2 and Windows (Japan only, North America platforms TBD). Join the O.C.U. or the U.C.S. and battle for control of Huffman Island. Fight alone with NPC backup or create a battle group with other players and experience the ultimate in teamplay combat. Actions in battle directly influence the chosen nation's domination of Huffman -- and with a high enough rank, you can issue missions to other players and dramatically shape the outcome of the war! The release date for FRONT MISSION Online will be announced at a later date. This title has not yet been rated by the ESRB. This title is not officially concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America.