Final Fantasy Agito XIII
Encyclopedia
is a video game published by Square Enix
for the PlayStation Portable
and it is developed by the company's 1st Production Department. The game was originally announced with the name ; "Agito" roughly meaning "to put in motion" in Latin
. Director Hajime Tabata said he liked the Agito title, but the name didn't have much to do with the game Final Fantasy XIII
. With the name change, they want to develop Type-0 into a series. Even though the game no longer has "XIII" in its title, the game still uses the Fabula Nova Crystallis mythology. While a release outside of Japan has not been announced, Tabata is trying to appeal to North American players in his direction of the game. Downloadable and "overseas" version are reportedly being investigated.
, and similar to that of The 3rd Birthday
(2010) and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
(2007), but will make use of the ATB system and allow control of multiple characters. On January 27, 2011, an interview in Famitsu revealed the flow of gameplay. The 12 heroes will travel from town to town getting missions, then discover enemy strongholds and carry out the missions. Based on what the mission calls for, players will be urged to switch their starting 3 party members for effectiveness. With each character specializing in a different weapon and elemental spell, each will have drastic variations of strengths and weaknesses. Summons will run on time limits (about 5 minutes), and if they are KO'd in battle, they will have to be revived in towns before being called again.
A compass has also been revealed in recent screenshots. Characters have been shown traversing dungeons filled with mechanical foes and soldiers. Playable characters alongside the main character, Ace, are shown in the screenshots with rather high HP and low MP costs to their magic spells in their command list. Like in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, names of foes are stated under "Target" on the upper-left-hand side of the screen. A recent article by Weekly Famitsu stated that each of the twelve students will have their own summon that can be swapped out and controlled by the player. The summons can also level up; so far, the only confirmed summons are Ifrit, Golem,Diablos and Odin
, used by Ace. In the January 2011 trailer, Bahamut was seen in battle during a cutscene, and an ice summon (thought to be Shiva) was seen skating on the battlefield. In a Famitsu interview, director Hajime Tabata said that "it's becoming an intense experience where you do gun shooting with fire." He also added that "Agito XIII will not have the standard multiplayer style of everyone gathering together to play. It will be a multiplayer system unique to this game."
) and is blessed with a crystal that grants them unique powers: Rubrum controls the Suzaku
Crystal containing the power of Magic, Milites controls the Byakko
Crystal containing the power of Weapons, Lorica controls the Genbu
Crystal containing the power of the Shield, and Concordia controls the Sōryū
Crystal containing the power of Dragons. The Crystals have the ability to mark humans as their countries' servants. These servants, called l'Cie, are branded with a symbol and are given a "Focus"—a task to complete. However, while blessed with long life, l'Cie are cursed to lose their memories over time. There are also summons called Eidolons (War Gods in Japan), of which only six types are seen to be playable: Odin, Shiva, Ifrit, Golem, Bahamut, and Diablos.
Final Fantasy Type-0 will have fourteen selectable characters, who are all members of Class Zero that are based from the Suzaku Peristylium. The first twelve are named after playing card
Trump
s: card wielder , flute wielder , the archer , magic-gun wielder , the mace wielding , scythe wielder , whip wielder , martial artist , spearman , katana wielding , swordswoman and dual pistol wielding . The last two, and , double as narrators with the game playing from their perspective.
Supporting them are their mentor , the Moogle, or , and the l'Cie Zhuyu and Caetuna. The Class Zero members can travel to the other countries in Oriens, fighting against Milites's military run by militant dictator High Commander and subordinates Brigadier General , and the l'Cie Qun'mi and Nimbus.
Other major characters include the Lorican l'Cie as well as the Concordian queen and her l'Cie knight .
The decision to create "Final Fantasy Type-0", firstly known as Final Fantasy Agito XIII, was made after the other two Final Fantasy XIII
games had already been decided upon, and was made in response to the popularity of the mobile phone game Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII
. It was then decided to make it exclusive to mobile phones. Unveiled at E3 '06, the game "[offered] players easy on-the-go access to the Final Fantasy XIII universe. Utilizing gameplay functions only available through mobile phones, it was supposed to provide players with a unique take on a story accessible anywhere their real-life adventures may take them." Developers had been planning a release on the next generation of cell phones as phones available at the time could not offer all the capabilities they would need. An issue developers had grappled with was whether or not to make the command buttons used in the game visible. The game was in development with the idea of making it a "full-fledged numbered game". However, on August 2, 2008, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy Agito XIII will be released on the Sony
PlayStation Portable
platform, with development of the mobile phone version discontinued. On January 18, 2011 the game made its first official public re-appearance at the Square Enix 1st Production Department Premier in Tokyo, Japan where it was announced that the name would be changed from Final Fantasy Agito XIII to Final Fantasy Type-0 along with a new trailer that was released to the public on January 27, 2011. The name Type-0 was actually trademarked by Square Enix in Europe on December 29, 2010 along with a logo.
The game will be one of few releases for the PSP to be released on two UMDs
. A demo version of the game was released on August 11, 2011, available to Japanese users for download on the Playstation Network.
The game's plot is thought to be "massive." It is described as an online RPG, but not "massively multiplayer
". Tabata described Agito as "a major title that's formed from a variety of concepts" which include the collision of four fantasies (the world view), killing match between magic and weapons (battle) and the Ordinary and Unordinary (the two sides of reality).
The game's theme song is by Bump of Chicken
.
. In the first week after its release, Final Fantasy Type-0 sold a total of 472,253 units.
Square Enix
is a Japanese video game and publishing company best known for its console role-playing game franchises, which include the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest series, and the action-RPG Kingdom Hearts series...
for the PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
and it is developed by the company's 1st Production Department. The game was originally announced with the name ; "Agito" roughly meaning "to put in motion" in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
. Director Hajime Tabata said he liked the Agito title, but the name didn't have much to do with the game Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII
is a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in North America and PAL regions, it is the thirteenth major installment in the Final Fantasy series...
. With the name change, they want to develop Type-0 into a series. Even though the game no longer has "XIII" in its title, the game still uses the Fabula Nova Crystallis mythology. While a release outside of Japan has not been announced, Tabata is trying to appeal to North American players in his direction of the game. Downloadable and "overseas" version are reportedly being investigated.
Gameplay
The battle system will be in real-time and action-basedAction role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
, and similar to that of The 3rd Birthday
The 3rd Birthday
is an action role-playing game develpoed HexaDrive and published by Square Enix. The game was made for the PlayStation Portable and marks the third entry in the Parasite Eve series...
(2010) and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
is an action role-playing game developed by Square Enix for the PlayStation Portable. First released in 2007, the game is a prequel to the video game Final Fantasy VII and is also the sixth installment in metaseries Compilation of Final Fantasy VII which includes products related to the game...
(2007), but will make use of the ATB system and allow control of multiple characters. On January 27, 2011, an interview in Famitsu revealed the flow of gameplay. The 12 heroes will travel from town to town getting missions, then discover enemy strongholds and carry out the missions. Based on what the mission calls for, players will be urged to switch their starting 3 party members for effectiveness. With each character specializing in a different weapon and elemental spell, each will have drastic variations of strengths and weaknesses. Summons will run on time limits (about 5 minutes), and if they are KO'd in battle, they will have to be revived in towns before being called again.
A compass has also been revealed in recent screenshots. Characters have been shown traversing dungeons filled with mechanical foes and soldiers. Playable characters alongside the main character, Ace, are shown in the screenshots with rather high HP and low MP costs to their magic spells in their command list. Like in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, names of foes are stated under "Target" on the upper-left-hand side of the screen. A recent article by Weekly Famitsu stated that each of the twelve students will have their own summon that can be swapped out and controlled by the player. The summons can also level up; so far, the only confirmed summons are Ifrit, Golem,Diablos and Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
, used by Ace. In the January 2011 trailer, Bahamut was seen in battle during a cutscene, and an ice summon (thought to be Shiva) was seen skating on the battlefield. In a Famitsu interview, director Hajime Tabata said that "it's becoming an intense experience where you do gun shooting with fire." He also added that "Agito XIII will not have the standard multiplayer style of everyone gathering together to play. It will be a multiplayer system unique to this game."
Setting
Final Fantasy Type-0 is set within a place called Oriens, which is divided into four nations: the Suzaku Fiefdom of Rubrum, the Milites Empire, the Lorican Alliance, and the Kingdom of Concordia. Each nation has its own emblem (a phoenix, two tigers, a dragon, and a turtle, based on the Four SymbolsFour Symbols (Chinese constellation)
The Four Symbols are four mythological creatures in the Chinese constellations. They are:*Azure Dragon of the East *Vermilion Bird of the South *White Tiger of the West *Black Tortoise of the North...
) and is blessed with a crystal that grants them unique powers: Rubrum controls the Suzaku
Suzaku
Suzaku may refer to:* Suzaku, the Japanese name for the Chinese Vermilion Bird , bird guardian of the South*Emperor Suzaku, emperor of Japan*SUZAK Inc., also known as Suzaku, a video game developer* Suzaku Avenue, one of the ancient main streets e.g...
Crystal containing the power of Magic, Milites controls the Byakko
Byakko
Byakko may refer to:* White Tiger , one of the divisions in the sky in traditional Chinese astronomy* Byakko , an anthropomorphic white tiger demon character in YuYu Hakusho...
Crystal containing the power of Weapons, Lorica controls the Genbu
Genbu
Genbu can refer to:* Black Tortoise, a Chinese constellation symbol* Genbu , a fictional character in the series YuYu Hakusho* Genbu , a fictional character in the series Fushigi Yūgi...
Crystal containing the power of the Shield, and Concordia controls the Sōryū
Seiryu
Seiryu, Seiryū, or Seiryuu can refer to:* Azure Dragon, a Chinese constellation symbol* Seiryu , a fictional character in the series YuYu Hakusho...
Crystal containing the power of Dragons. The Crystals have the ability to mark humans as their countries' servants. These servants, called l'Cie, are branded with a symbol and are given a "Focus"—a task to complete. However, while blessed with long life, l'Cie are cursed to lose their memories over time. There are also summons called Eidolons (War Gods in Japan), of which only six types are seen to be playable: Odin, Shiva, Ifrit, Golem, Bahamut, and Diablos.
Characters
Playing card
A playing card is a piece of specially prepared heavy paper, thin cardboard, plastic-coated paper, cotton-paper blend, or thin plastic, marked with distinguishing motifs and used as one of a set for playing card games...
Trump
Trump
A trump is a type of card in some card games.Trump may also refer to:* Trump * Trump * Trumps * The Trump * HMS Trump , a British submarine* The Trump Organization, a business conglomerate...
s: card wielder , flute wielder , the archer , magic-gun wielder , the mace wielding , scythe wielder , whip wielder , martial artist , spearman , katana wielding , swordswoman and dual pistol wielding . The last two, and , double as narrators with the game playing from their perspective.
Supporting them are their mentor , the Moogle, or , and the l'Cie Zhuyu and Caetuna. The Class Zero members can travel to the other countries in Oriens, fighting against Milites's military run by militant dictator High Commander and subordinates Brigadier General , and the l'Cie Qun'mi and Nimbus.
Other major characters include the Lorican l'Cie as well as the Concordian queen and her l'Cie knight .
Plot
A peace treaty is supposed to be in effect with the world's four countries, but Cid Aulstyne has sent his l'Cie soldiers to war with the neighboring countries. Conquering Lorica for its crystal, the Milites military focuses its attack on the Kingdom of Concordia and the Suzaku Fiefdom of Rubrum. However, for reasons unknown, the Suzaku crystal that kept Milites at bay at Rubrum shatters, leaving the nation vulnerable to attack and is forced to surrender to the superior nation. However, still possessing the powers the crystals gave them, the students of Class Zero refuse to surrender and proceed to fight back.Development
Final Fantasy XIII
is a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in North America and PAL regions, it is the thirteenth major installment in the Final Fantasy series...
games had already been decided upon, and was made in response to the popularity of the mobile phone game Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII
Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII
is a Japanese action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix in 2004. It was the first original game to be produced by Square Enix exclusively for mobile phones, and was released on NTT DoCoMo's FOMA iMode line of phones on a monthly subscription basis...
. It was then decided to make it exclusive to mobile phones. Unveiled at E3 '06, the game "[offered] players easy on-the-go access to the Final Fantasy XIII universe. Utilizing gameplay functions only available through mobile phones, it was supposed to provide players with a unique take on a story accessible anywhere their real-life adventures may take them." Developers had been planning a release on the next generation of cell phones as phones available at the time could not offer all the capabilities they would need. An issue developers had grappled with was whether or not to make the command buttons used in the game visible. The game was in development with the idea of making it a "full-fledged numbered game". However, on August 2, 2008, Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy Agito XIII will be released on the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
platform, with development of the mobile phone version discontinued. On January 18, 2011 the game made its first official public re-appearance at the Square Enix 1st Production Department Premier in Tokyo, Japan where it was announced that the name would be changed from Final Fantasy Agito XIII to Final Fantasy Type-0 along with a new trailer that was released to the public on January 27, 2011. The name Type-0 was actually trademarked by Square Enix in Europe on December 29, 2010 along with a logo.
The game will be one of few releases for the PSP to be released on two UMDs
Universal Media Disc
The Universal Media Disc is an optical disc medium developed by Sony for use on their PlayStation Portable handheld gaming and multimedia platform...
. A demo version of the game was released on August 11, 2011, available to Japanese users for download on the Playstation Network.
The game's plot is thought to be "massive." It is described as an online RPG, but not "massively multiplayer
MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
". Tabata described Agito as "a major title that's formed from a variety of concepts" which include the collision of four fantasies (the world view), killing match between magic and weapons (battle) and the Ordinary and Unordinary (the two sides of reality).
The game's theme song is by Bump of Chicken
Bump of Chicken
Bump of Chicken is a rock group from Sakura, Chiba, Japan. Their members are Fujiwara Motoo, Hiroaki Masukawa, Yoshifumi Naoi and Hideo Masu. Since their inception in 1994, they have released fourteen singles and five albums...
.
Reception
It was awarded a near-perfect score of 39/40 by FamitsuFamitsu
is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Enterbrain, Inc. and Tokuma. Currently, there are five Famitsū magazines: Shūkan Famitsū, Famitsū PS3 + PSP, Famitsū Xbox 360, Famitsū Wii+DS, and Famitsū Wave DVD...
. In the first week after its release, Final Fantasy Type-0 sold a total of 472,253 units.
See also
- Final Fantasy XIIIFinal Fantasy XIIIis a console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. Released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in North America and PAL regions, it is the thirteenth major installment in the Final Fantasy series...
- Final Fantasy XIII-2Final Fantasy XIII-2is an upcoming console role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is being produced by Square Enix's 1st Production Department...
- Final Fantasy Versus XIIIFinal Fantasy Versus XIIIis an upcoming action role-playing game published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 3 and currently being developed by the company's 1st Production Department. Alongside Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, and Final Fantasy Type-0, the game is a part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final...
- Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy