Is Final Fantasy Versus XIII Worth The Long Wait? Part 1

Note: This is a two-part series analyzing the development issues of Final Fantasy Versus XIII and how could Square Enix remedy the rising tensions among fans waiting for an actual release date of the highly-anticipated role=playing game boxed in the Fabula Nova Crystallis storyline.

Square Enix originally unveiled Final Fantasy Versus XIII in 2006, where it was announced that it will be part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy XIII has already been released, gaining positive criticisms for its gorgeous graphics and fast-paced battle system, but the game also suffered unbearable reception from players, calling the game “too linear that broke formula of exploration.”

Final Fantasy Type-0, originally named Final Fantasy Agito XIII, has already seen the light of day, becoming an exclusive title for the Japanese gaming market. Square Enix is mum on the if whether Type-0 will be localized and released in North American shores.

Final Fantasy XIII was gifted with a direct sequel. Final Fantasy XIII-2 stars Serah Farron and Noel Kreiss as the pair search for Lightning in multiple regions and times. Dimension-hopping is kind of new to the Final Fantasy series, and the sequel wasn’t really connected with the source that makes up the Fabula Nova Crystallis storyline. The direction of Final Fantasy Versus XIII has gone vague. The trace it had left during E3 2006 made loyal Final Fantasy players rejoice that the long-running role-playing series will be reincarnated on next-generation consoles.

Final Fantasy Versus XIII is a glimpse of Final Fantasy’s future. The PlayStation One classics are still remembered as the franchise’s stepping stones in helping Japanese role-playing games gain traction in international gaming markets. Since Versus XIII’s 2006 announcement, Square Enix buffed its Final Fantasy library with PSP exclusives like Crisis Core, Final Fantasy Dissidia, and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy.

Crisis Core gave players with a heart-melting expedition into Zack Fair’s career as SOLDIER, and Dissidia ingeniously gathered every Final Fantasy hero and villain to brawl it out inside familiar territories. Numerous Final Fantasy remakes here and there, and yet there is still no signs of a Final Fantasy Versus XIII sighting. Final Fantasy Versus XIII only exists in magazine screenshots and video trailers that awfully remind us how this game will re-define role-playing in its entirety.

Square Enix fattened its resume with re-mastered versions of Final Fantasy classics like Final Fantasy III and IV over the last couple of years. The company has also announced future plan of releasing Final Fantasy X for the PS Vita, but the company is completely silent with the development stage of Final Fantasy Versus XIII.

Internal Issues

The development of Final Fantasy Versus XIII is being administered by the company’s First Production Department. However, it was revealed that some key members behind the game’s development had left for some undisclosed reasons. Punching Square Enix down the ground this round is Takeshi Arakawa, one of team’s graphic directors. Arakawa is also notable for his contributions as the supervising director of Final Fantasy Dissidia and texture director for Kingdom Hearts.

Staff members who are abandoning this project include Dissidia Final Fantasy’s main programmer, Ryuji Ikeda, and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy’s planning director, Shouta Shimoda. Apparently, a lot of people responsible for Dissidia’s inception packed their bags and left Square Enix, but that is not the point here.

Although Square Enix did not explain Arakawa, Ikeda, and Shimoda’s departure, Tetsuya Nomura, director of Final Fantasy Versus XIII quoted that the development team is struggling to remain faithful to the production timeline. Here’s what he had to say regarding the game’s current condition:

We would like to ask for your patience on an official announcement for this title. It always takes time when tackling the challenge of doing something completely new, but we are doing our best to bring information to the fans as quickly as we can. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

Earlier in 2010, Nomura stated that Final Fantasy Versus XIII’s story has already been fleshed out, implying that the game isn’t actually stuck in a mud hole. Nomura’s statement is short-lived, as Final Fantasy Versus XIII’s mystery continues to dampen loyalty among Final Fantasy followers who are eagerly waiting for a playable demo since the E3 2006 announcement.

A solid press release would have sufficed. Square Enix is hiding something from us. Nomura keeps on apologizing. The development team is missing key components to speed up development.