MyFFXI's The NM: Issue 20: Coming Square Enix Games, Tidal Talisman, Ingame Events And MoreHello MyFFXI members, yesterday there was a maintenance on the News section at MyFFXI.com so I could not post any news for you all. But today will be a big issue to make up for it...
*PART I: Kingdom Hearts Re-Beat On PS2 This December
*PART II: Square Enix President Sorta Dates Dragon Quest IX (Mentions Tecmo)
*PART III: Tidal Talisman Sneak Peak At What You Will Get In The Mail
*PART IV: Blazing Buffaloes, or How West Sarutabaruta Was Won
PART I: Kingdom Hearts Re-Beat On PS2 This December
Square Enix today confirmed retail rumblings we'd heard from the recent GameStop Expo, announcing that the remake of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories for the Game Boy Advance will be hitting the PlayStation 2 later this year. Dubbed Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories for extra reading awkwardness, the PS2 version of the GBA original comes with a full coat of 3D paint and a budget price of $29.99.
Kingdom Hearts mainstays David Gallagher and Haley Joel Osment return for the remake, dated for December 2nd, with a new batch of mini-games being whipped up for the console re-release.
Full details can be enjoyed in press release format after the jump, with a not-quite-done-yet official site going up today.
SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES KINGDOM HEARTS RE:CHAIN OF MEMORIES FOR NORTH AMERICAFans Can Now Complete Their KINGDOM HEARTS Experience, as the Missing Link Makes Its Way to North American Shores for the First Time
Los Angeles (September 19, 2008) - Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, and Disney Interactive Studios, announced today that KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories will be released for North American audiences on December 2, 2008.
KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories is the essential piece that bridges the gap between KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II. Originally released in 2004 for Game Boy® Advance, this full 3D rendition on the PlayStation®2 has never been released in North America — this is an entry in the KINGDOM HEARTS saga that fans of the series can’t miss!
STORYSora, Donald and Goofy travel down a long road that meanders through endless fields, and come to a crossroads. As Sora stands in the crossroads, he gazes up at the night sky and thinks of his lost friends.
Just then, a mysterious man approaches from down one of the branching paths. "Ahead lies something you need," he says, "but to claim it, you must lose something dear." The man vanishes before a single path, leading to a castle that eerily resembles a girl's drawing...
In the coming journey, what will Sora and his companions gain, and what will they lose?
FEATURES # World-renowned creator and character designer Tetsuya Nomura and his team once again unite the magical world of Disney with the characters of FINAL FANTASY®, inviting fans to an enchanting gaming experience
# An essential piece in the KINGDOM HEARTS franchise, which has shipped over 12 million units across the globe, comes to North America at long last
# In addition to Sora, players can control Riku in this adventure that bridges the gap between KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II
# A full 3D remake of the original GBA release, KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories offers a refreshing rendition of the hit title for the PlayStation 2 system
# The talented voice cast from the North American releases of KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II, including David Gallagher and Haley Joel Osment, return to breathe new life into the beloved characters
# The mini-game catalog has been completely renewed, now with four brand new experiences accompanying the main adventure
KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories has not yet been rated by the ESRB. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $29.99(USD).
Source: Kotaku
PART II: Square Enix President Sorta Dates Dragon Quest IX (Mentions Tecmo)
While DS title Dragon Quest IX will not be playable at TGS 08, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada (pictured) seems to be indicating that the game will be available next during the Japanese New Year. Here's a translation of the short soundbyte that popped up on Yahoo! News Japan:
The Latest Dragon Quest On Sale During New Year's Period = Tecmo Purchase "We Will Decide What To Do" — Square Enix PresidentOn the 18th, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada responded in an interview that the latest entry in the popular game series Dragon Quest will go on sale during the New Year's period.The Japanese New Year's period is January 1st to January 4th, but the original text doesn't get any more specific than "Early January" or "New Year's". Though, maybe he means around New Year's, who knows. And what's more, it's not explicitly clear that Wada is referring to DQIX, though Square Enix has stated several times that the still yet-to-be-dated game will be out this financial year — which ends in March. And what's this about Square Enix deciding what do to about the Tecmo buyout? Thought that Square Enix had rescinded its offer.
Source: Kotaku
PART III: Tidal Talisman Sneak Peak At What You Will Get In The Mail
There’s been a lot of debate over the Tidal Talisman on various FFXI related forums. Whether you think it’s just a cheap ploy by SE to get money from their players or a really cool addition to your FFXI collection, we’re sure to see more of these items in the future.
The first item in the Final Fantasy XI Players’ Collection is the Tidal Talisman. The design is based on Leviathan and the talisman (as the in-game item) was found by scholars in Aht Urhgan.
Inside is a sleek little box about the size of an old iPod. All information is repeated in 4 different languages so it’s very likely everyone is going to get the same packaging. The box is surrounded by a plastic sleeve which is what holds the information booklet around the box.
The box itself has the words Final Fantasy XI Players’ Collection Tidal Talisman written all in English on the cover in silver.
The little booklet folds out and contains your code (a little sticker inside the booklet) as well as instructions on how to redeem your in-game item. There are the typical warnings about how it’s one gift per character, the item is rare/ex, etc. The little moogle heads are cute though.
The necklace itself is pretty much what people were expecting. The rope has a cheesy plastic feel to it which is a bit disappointing considering the price. It does tie easily though so people who actually want to wear it for cosplay should be okay. The talisman has a bit of weight to it as well.
The talisman is really dark so it’s hard to make out the design.
$43 feels a bit steep for this item without the FFXI connection. It’ll probably end up as a Christmas gift for a friend.
One of the things people were wondering about was if the in-game item actually shines or if that was just for the teaser movie. It does shine! It’s at a lazy sort of rate. It also shines on the character selection screen.
Source: JP Button
PART IV: Blazing Buffaloes, or How West Sarutabaruta Was Won
Confounded chigoes! Blasted buffalo!
Dagnabbit! Get back here, or I'll turn yer worthless hide into a leather jerkin!
Hey, you over there! I'm talkin' to you, pardner! Ever wrangled a wild buffalo before?
What sort of calamity has befallen the hapless moogles of the Mog House Management Union (MHMU) this time?
ScheduleBlazing Buffaloes will blitz into town at 01:00 on Friday, September 26 (PDT) and ride off into the sunset at 01:00 on Monday, October 6.
Event InfoBrave adventurers looking to help the MHMU out of its latest mess need only visit one of the areas below and speak to the moogle representative there.
If your wranglin' skills are up to the task, you might even win yourself exclusive Buffalo Bonanza Ranch goods and prizes!
West Ronfaure (I-6) / East Ronfaure (G-6)
North Gustaberg (L-8) / South Gustaberg (L-8)
West Sarutabaruta (J-8) / East Sarutabaruta (G-11)
Source: PlayOnline
