Final Fantasy XIII Japan launch announced

Final Fantasy XIII is on its way to Japan.

(Credit: Square Enix)

Square Enix announced at a press event Tuesday in Japan that Final Fantasy XIII, the next installment in the venerable franchise, will be coming to Japanese stores on December 17, according to the company's site and a Reuters report. It will be offered exclusively on the PlayStation 3 for about $95.

Final Fantasy XIII will also be used to help Sony sell consoles. At the event, Square Enix said its game will come bundled with the PlayStation 3 Slim in Japan. It wouldn't divulge any more details on when it will be made available or at what price it will be offered.

Final Fantasy XIII is one of the most highly anticipated games in the industry. Its story is set in the city of Cocoon. Another world called Pulse is the "wilderness" in the game. The main character, Lightning, is destined to destroy the world. His mission is to fight against that destiny and save the world while fighting off the enemy, called Fal'Cie. Unfortunately, Square Enix wouldn't reveal too much more information about the storyline.

Regardless, Final Fantasy XIII follows a long line of games in the series that has captivated players. At its Tuesday event, the company said the franchise has sold more than 85 million units worldwide since the first installment was released in 1987.

Square Enix didn't pinpoint a U.S. release date. The company said in previous releases, it took about a "half a year to a year" for it to bring the game to U.S. store shelves. It's still hoping to make it available in spring 2010. Unlike the Japanese version, which only be made available on the PS3, Final Fantasy XIII will be offered to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners. No price has been announced.

So it looks like more waiting for those living outside Japan. But if you can't take the wait, check out Square Enix's Final Fantasy page. It's really well done.

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[Ms.Google]

The only reason why it took so long to come to the States is because it is not only for the PS3 but 360. They waited to evidence have shown that it's been dummied down for the 360, even thought SE won't admit to it.

I guess that MS money is doing really well for SE; look at all the success they had with their exclusives that was once on the PS3 but went to the 360. Star Ocean & The Last Remanant. *SARCASM*

[Mistuh_Jesus]

Wait wait, you're boycotting first person shooters for being repetitive and uninspired but you're all about J-RPGs?

Well I am with you sir! I can't wait to see what fresh spin they put on this not at all tired genre. Do you suppose there's going to be an effeminate, long haired protagonist plucked from a small village to fight some ultimate evil? I just can't wait to find out!

[stepyourgameup]

Very true. However, I enjoy FF so damn much that I don't care.

[Phoenix_Knight005]

As much as I love the Final Fantasy games, I can't deny that the stories are pretty damn stupid and are all the same basic thing. I'm always eager to see what happens next in the story, but I'm usually disappointed by it, though I admit that FF12 was better than I had expected. For good storylines, I tend to just stick with the Suikoden series (excepting Suikoden 4, of course).

[Chao_Sama]

I would seriously consider buying an PS3 for this Just played FFX and FF12 over the weekend they were even better than i remember.....This one will definately be over the top.....

[ajcroteau]

It looks nice however i see the $95 price tag in japan and i'm hoping they don't try to ratchet the price up to $70 or $80 dollars in the US. I can barely stomach seeing them at $60 and even then, i'll wait for the price to hit $40.00 at the previously played section at the local GameStop or EB Games...

[stepyourgameup]

Are you telling me you don't think that it would be worth spending at least $100 on? Do you know how much money they have to spend creating such an epic game as FF?

[brianbot5000]

I don't think it will be that much for the US market, but it will be more...my guess is $69 or $75. The games in Japan are often pretty expensive, more than they are here usually, especially for the big titles.

[Mistuh_Jesus]

stepupyourgame, yes that's exactly what he's saying. If they charged a hundred bucks, the game better come with a crisp 50 dollar bill and an apology or else Square Enix could say goodbye to expanding their audience into anything but the most hardcore of RPG nerds.

[stepyourgameup]

That's great Hey-zues, go back to playing your Dance Dance Revolution and Sing Star.

[Mistuh_Jesus]

Hey stepyourgameup, go back to your lonely, sexually frustrated, fanboy existence.

[bulletstorm1]

Dag.. FFXIII already??, I'm still playing FFVII. LOL

[LifeBlue]

The main character, Lightning, is female ... get your facts straight before writing an article doofus

[gabrielboehm]

Amazon has had this available for preorder for awhile with a price guarantee of $59.99. They also have a release date, but that has shifted a few times already.