NeoGAF

Red Scarlet · 05:52 AM

This is FF3, not FF6. This is the DS remake of the original Famicom game that has never been commercially released outside of Japan/Asia. This is not the game with Mog and Kefka!

(thanks Mr Fi)

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RELEASE DATE

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August 24 (Japan) / November 14 (North America), / Unknown (PAL)
Wario64 posted this article that states the above date for the US release:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3152937

OFFICIAL WEB SITE (Japan): http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/
OFFICIAL WEB SITE (North America): http://na.square-enix.com/ff3/
OFFICIAL WEB SITE (PAL): n/a

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MEDIA

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There's some movies and pictures floating around, and as of this post they either still work, or I grabbed them and am hosting.

Here's a movie from the DS version at the beginning of the game:
http://dl.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/ff3_topics_01.wmv

I re-made the Famicom comparison vid earlier:
http://redscarlet.paragonsigma.com/f...comcompare.avi

Some German site made a couple of quick comparison pictures from the above videos:

thefro linked to these:

Recent Creator's Voice Interview about the game
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...5&postcount=34

Creator's Voice Interview Videos:
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274

InStoreTrailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08mlTOysbF8
TV Commerical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrzgJCC-pbs

Here's some shots from RPGFan:

Overworld

Town

Here's a picture of most of the jobs being represented in art form (not pictured so people can avoid):
http://redscarlet.paragonsigma.com/91713_FF3_Jobs.jpg

thefro linked to these wallpapers from the official JP site:
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_01_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_02_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_03_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_05_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_04_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_06_l.jpg

Some scans provided by neo246/2chan:

thefro linked to this:
FFIII DS OST track listing released + samples
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/music/s.../ff3/info.html

And a track listing here: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...1&postcount=45

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Wi-Fi

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There's a 'Mognet' type communication system that lets you leave messages with some NPC's and other people playing the game. This is required to unlock some bonus content.

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REVIEWS

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Famitsu: 9/8/9/8 (34 out of 40)

Dengeki: 95/90/95/85
EGM: 8/8/7.5 (thanks Error2k4)
1up.com: 8/10 (thanks Sallokin)
IGN:7.8 (thanks NomarTyme)
1up: 8/10
Gamepro - 4/5
Cubed3 - 9/10
Planet Gamecube- 6.5/10
Gamesradar - 7/10 (Kodiak supplied the last 5)

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Now that I'm definitely getting the game for my birthday (still not sure about that DS), and Amir0x said go ahead, let's make this the official topic for the DS version of FF3. Since the release dates are pretty close, I don't really see why the US and PAL versions can't also be discussed here in one topic.

Not many people have played this game in the series, so it should be an interesting topic to see players go through it for the first time. I'm hoping to get the game around the 25th, so maybe duckroll and some others will get it first. If there is new news, pictures, whatever, just post them in here.

Let's have some fun with the game! Thanks for all the help digging stuff up, Error2k4. :)

brandonh83 · (08-11-2006, 10:06 AM)

Yet another dent in my wallet. Looks really awesome, and it's an FF I haven't played yet.

Surreal · (08-11-2006, 10:06 AM)

This game is going to rock. I'm so ready for this, I've been wanting a good RPG for my Lite.

Red Scarlet · (08-11-2006, 10:07 AM)

If anyone knows of a PAL official site or release date, it's news to me.

Amir0x · (08-11-2006, 10:07 AM)

Nice thread. Box art JP looks nice at least

brandonh83 · (08-11-2006, 10:08 AM)

Originally Posted by Amir0x:

Nice thread. Box art JP looks nice at least

They better not change the cover for the U.S. release, but all the characters in CG form on the front ftw.

Red Scarlet · (08-11-2006, 10:14 AM)

Thx..never done one before. :)
Error helped out with most of the pictures.
Is there a US boxart yet?

SantaC · (08-11-2006, 10:14 AM)

fantastic boxart! One of the best I seen in a long time.

Amir0x · (08-11-2006, 10:15 AM)

Originally Posted by brandonh83:

They better not change the cover for the U.S. release, but all the characters in CG form on the front ftw.

Srsly, they better not change the boxart. It's really great, almost want to buy for that alone!

I don't got this game on my "BUY" list, I hated the original, but I'm eagerly waiting for impressions from people who disliked the first. Because if they like it, and there's enough substantial changes, I am sold like a mofo.

Red Scarlet · (08-11-2006, 10:17 AM)

Well, I'm hoping that it's really cool. I wasn't the biggest fan of the original due to some problems.

Pureauthor · (08-11-2006, 10:17 AM)

Funny, I heard it was the best of the NES FFs...

Why didn't you guys like it?

Was the game unbalanced, too difficult/too easy or something?

Amir0x · (08-11-2006, 10:18 AM)

Originally Posted by Pureauthor:

You didn't like it? Why?

Was the game unbalanced, too difficult/to easy or something?

Viciously unbalanced, yes. But that's only one issue!

Originally Posted by Red Scarlet:

Well, I'm hoping that it's really cool. I wasn't the biggest fan of the original due to some problems.

Oh I thought you liked it still. Well then, I am waiting for impressions from you. You determine buy or die! :D

-nk- · (08-11-2006, 10:23 AM)

Guess I'll import the US-Version, since NoE did not even announce if they will release the game in Euope

Red Scarlet · (08-11-2006, 10:26 AM)

Actually, that jobs pic is missing some. So it's not all of the jobs.

The Famicom one is ok, but like Amir0x says, I think there are quite a few balancing issues with the original. To counter-balance it, the money trick helped out, but still with the best things money could buy it was easy to get your ass kicked with some of the most defensive jobs.

I mentioned some of my issues in my 'summer of FF' topic, let me see if I can find them (the videos are long gone, though).

jj984jj · (08-11-2006, 10:27 AM)

According to the Creator's Voice interview on touch.jp translated by xcomp, the only major changes they did make was to balance the game. Everything from the job system to the harsh difficulty has been balanced.

All indications seem to point out that capacity has been removed as well.

Red Scarlet · (08-11-2006, 10:30 AM)

Originally Posted by jj984jj:

All indications seem to point out that capacity has been removed as well.

Wow, that's sure to divide those that have played it before. I welcome it, though. Either that, or a reduction of how much is required.

Amir0x · (08-11-2006, 10:31 AM)

Originally Posted by jj984jj:

*post*

Even just fixing the balance issues would go a long way to making this enjoyable. I know they made some relatively major changes to the story too... which would be great, because imo it's the worst FF story that tries. I like the capacity removal though

jj984jj · (08-11-2006, 10:36 AM)

They didn't say anything about the story except that they added personalities to the characters, probably didn't want to spoil anything new though.

Tanaka on the job system:

Quote:

In the original game, we wrapped up the system with a ninja and a sage. Jobs were first available by coming into contact with the crystals and there were 3 different ways of changing jobs. The last two were somewhat added as elite jobs and became the only ones that could be used to complete the game. That was where I contemplated.

While working with FFXI, I had to pay extra attention to the balance between jobs. Under that influence, I wanted to allow players more freedom in changing between jobs. Although you can now change as many times as you wish between the jobs you like, in the original game, there were times when players were forced to change to a certain job. It’s a barrier I wanted to root out. So, thinking about to sort the problem out, we decided to add in *abilities that the original game didn’t have.
360 degrees of freedom.

*Unique powers that each job possesses such as the “Sing” ability of the bard and, the geomancer’s “Terrain” ability.

Amir0x · (08-11-2006, 10:39 AM)

Originally Posted by jj984jj:

They didn't say anything about the story except that they added personalities to the characters, probably didn't want to spoil anything new though.

Tanaka on the job system:

The story already starts out differently than the first game, so certainly they changed something

BrodiemanTTR · (08-11-2006, 10:40 AM)

I am so pumped for this game. My DS has been crying out for RPG loving for some time now. I just wish it wasn't coming out at the same time as the 6 other games I desperately want in Q4.

Choice boxart as well, I don't recall S-E having a history of screwing up their US boxarts, so I have faith the one we get will be similarly gorgeous.

I'd really love to get the translations of those Famitsu reviews though.

Red Scarlet · (08-11-2006, 10:50 AM)

Wasn't duckroll going to translate them?

omg rite · 10:55 AM

It's November in the U.S.

Mr.Ressetti · (08-11-2006, 10:52 AM)

The game looks really good mashallah , I hope it also will be.

jj984jj · (08-11-2006, 10:53 AM)

Oh, and I'm kinda pissed at Asano about the FFIII DS Lite model:

Quote:

Tanaka
There were various designs for it such as using Amano-san’s illustrations and lining up polygon models of the characters but in the end, Asano decided that there should be 4 characters with different jobs.

Asano
When it comes to FFIII, people have the idea of character jobs. Originally, there was a suggestion to draw them in pixels but, after the makeover they’ve been through, I thought it was best if we lined up Yoshida-san’s new designs.

F U Asano.

omg rite · (08-11-2006, 10:55 AM)

and for the love of god someone, wtf is the wi-fi connection for? what does it do?

jj984jj · (08-11-2006, 10:56 AM)

Originally Posted by omg rite:

and for the love of god someone, wtf is the wi-fi connection for? what does it do?

It's used for Mognet to unlock side-quests.

omg rite · (08-11-2006, 10:57 AM)

Originally Posted by jj984jj:

It's used for Mognet to unlock side-quests.

and mognet is...?

what do you do, log online and download side quests or something?

thetrin · (08-11-2006, 11:01 AM)

What`s the word on the game`s length?

Any info from the dev team on how much the game pushes the player towards the next goal? I`m curious if it`s going to be easy to get totally lost if I play in little spurts on the train to work, and at work.

BrodiemanTTR · (08-11-2006, 11:04 AM)

Originally Posted by Red Scarlet:

Wasn't duckroll going to translate them?

I don't know, let's bug him about it via private message.

Amir0x · (08-11-2006, 11:07 AM)

Originally Posted by TheTrin:

What`s the word on the game`s length?

Any info from the dev team on how much the game pushes the player towards the next goal? I`m curious if it`s going to be easy to get totally lost if I play in little spurts on the train to work, and at work.

If it's anything like the original FF3, it's not that long AND it's pretty linear.

RevenantKioku · (08-11-2006, 12:06 PM)

Being that this is the only FF that needs a remake, I am pumped total. The final dungeon is balls out long and hard so hopefully that doesn't change too much, but an improved menu system will make this much less of a hassle to play.
Already pre-ordered this bitch. :D

Pureauthor · (08-11-2006, 12:11 PM)

Apparently you can now save anywhere.

That is a good thing.

Diomedeskun · (08-11-2006, 12:44 PM)

Originally Posted by Pureauthor:

Apparently you can now save anywhere.

That is a good thing.

I hope it is an interrupt save, because I rather liked the challenge presented in the dungeons. As for the balance, there were certain points where you had to level grind if you didn't have the right items as well as parts where certain jobs where required, and all jobs were certainly not equally useful, but it was still probably the most balanced of the three NES Final Fantasy games (which says something about the lack of balance in the first and especially the second).

It was certainly far more polished gameplay than the first two games.

Fireblend · (08-11-2006, 12:45 PM)

Awesome thread, very informative! I've been following this game since the day it was announced and I can't wait. Play Asia says the US version is due November, tho :/

RevenantKioku · (08-11-2006, 01:04 PM)

Originally Posted by Diomedeskun:

I hope it is an interrupt save, because I rather liked the challenge presented in the dungeons. As for the balance, there were certain points where you had to level grind if you didn't have the right items as well as parts where certain jobs where required, and all jobs were certainly not equally useful, but it was still probably the most balanced of the three NES Final Fantasy games (which says something about the lack of balance in the first and especially the second).

It was certainly far more polished gameplay than the first two games.

It probably is a quick save like FFIVa.
I'm rusty on FFIII as it was.........3 years ago, but I think you need CP to change jobs every time, and it would be real nice if it went the FFV route.

speedpop · (08-11-2006, 01:12 PM)

This game shall rock. A pity I won't get it exactly on my birthday when it launches but a few days after it shouldn't be too harsh on my bones.

Sallokin · (08-11-2006, 02:55 PM)

Too bad it's been pushed back in the U.S. I was really looking forward to it coming out in September. Either way, I'm way amped for this game. I'm really happy to know that the load times have been addressed. Now... If they could just release the OST...

ethelred · (08-11-2006, 03:01 PM)

I cannot ****ing wait for this game.

Y2Kev · (08-11-2006, 03:02 PM)

Originally Posted by ethelred:

I cannot ****ing wait for this game.

I want a firm answer on how long we will have to wait! The Japanese date has been set for a while, but the American one was September 12...and now is kinda floating...

Thanks, Scarlet, for making the thread! I was hoping somebody would.

ethelred · (08-11-2006, 03:06 PM)

Originally Posted by Y2Kevbug11:

I want a firm answer on how long we will have to wait! The Japanese date has been set for a while, but the American one was September 12...and now is kinda floating...

Thanks, Scarlet, for making the thread! I was hoping somebody would.

Yeah, it's getting harder and harder to deal with the anticipation. All these new movies and screenshots and teasers of reworked music (the Eternal Legend of the Wind just slays me with how awesome it is)... makes the wait more and more unbearable.

Whhhhhyyy must it take so long, Kev? Why?

Y2Kev · (08-11-2006, 03:09 PM)

Originally Posted by ethelred:

Yeah, it's getting harder and harder to deal with the anticipation. All these new movies and screenshots and teasers of reworked music (the Eternal Legend of the Wind just slays me with how awesome it is)... makes the wait more and more unbearable.

Whhhhhyyy must it take so long, Kev? Why?

Because Square wants to pad its release calendar! Screw them, to battle!

I only wish every song in the game sounded like that track, but the composition is still great even if the actual sound will be a bit different. FF3 is one of Uematsu's best, and we know it is being arranged (and some new songs being added!) by one of Square's most talented musicians.

I couldn't really hold myself back, so I went and played the game. It is definitely a game with a lot of potential. The story needs a rewrite, so I'm willing to see what they did there. Obviously the jobs need work. I'm just very excited for handheld RPGs like this one. I am beginning to love how easy it is to just open a DS and you're playing right away.

ethelred · 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Y2Kevbug11:

Because Square wants to pad its release calendar! Screw them, to battle!

I only wish every song in the game sounded like that track, but the composition is still great even if the actual sound will be a bit different. FF3 is one of Uematsu's best, and we know it is being arranged (and some new songs being added!) by one of Square's most talented musicians.

I couldn't really hold myself back, so I went and played the game. It is definitely a game with a lot of potential. The story needs a rewrite, so I'm willing to see what they did there. Obviously the jobs need work. I'm just very excited for handheld RPGs like this one. I am beginning to love how easy it is to just open a DS and you're playing right away.

Come to me, dark warriors, battle awaits us... with Square Enix accountants!

And yes, agreed with everything else you said. The original had lots of potential -- neat story as far as NES games go, great gameplay potential with the first real establishment of the future Job System -- and I'm expecting them to retain the spirit of the original while making just enough modernizations to make it great... add more content to the story so it holds up as an original story, incorporate a lot of the Job System developments from over the years, etc.

Sekito rocks, Tanaka rocks, Yoshida rocks... and it's a portable RPG with massively high production values.

thefro · (08-11-2006, 03:32 PM)

Tons of news today, but first, the videos you haven't linked:

Recent Creator's Voice Interview about the game
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost...5&postcount=34

Creator's Voice Interview Videos:
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274
http://touch-ds.jp/crv/vol1/player.h...320&height=274

InStoreTrailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08mlTOysbF8
TV Commerical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrzgJCC-pbs

thefro · (08-11-2006, 03:36 PM)

Okay, new wallpapers were posted on the official JP site (high-res shots of the CG intro movie, and some we haven't seen yet)

http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_01_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_02_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_03_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_05_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_04_l.jpg
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff3/download/wp_06_l.jpg

thefro · 04:21 PM

FFIII DS OST track listing released + samples
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/music/s.../ff3/info.html

EDIT: Better track translation

http://www.gmronline.com/info.asp?Ca...r=SQEX-10076~7

01 Memory of the Wind ~Legend of the Eternal Wind~
02 Prelude
03 Crystal Cave
04 Battle 1
05 Victory
06 Crystal Room
07 Opening Theme
08 My Home Town
09 Eternal Wind
10 Jinn, The Fire
11 Dungeon
12 Return of the Warrior
13 The Way to the Top
14 Tozas
15 Shrine of Nept
16 Sailing Enterprise
17 Living Forest
18 Time Remains
19 Chocobos!
20 Big Chocobo!
21 Tower of Owen
22 Veggies of Geasal
23 Castle of Hain
24 Hazardous Short Music 1
25 Hazardous Short Music 2
26 Hazardous Short Music 3
27 Battle 2
28 Requiem
29 Go Above the Clouds!
30 The Boundless Ocean
31 Elia, the Maiden of Water
32 Town of Water
33 Let's Play the Piano!
34 Let's Play the Piano Again!
35 Swift Twist
36 Inn
37 New Companion
38 Parting Companion
39 Dancer's Dance
40 Item Get
41 Defeating the Garuda
42 Good Ol' Fellows
43 In the Covert Town
44 Salonia
45 Deep Under the Water
46 Beneath the Horizon
47 Let Me Know the Truth
48 Lute of Noah
49 Good Morning!
50 The Invincible
51 Forbidden Land
52 Crystal Tower
53 The Dark Crystals
54 This is the Last Battle -1-
55 This is the Last Battle -2-
56 This is the Last Battle -3-
57 Ending Theme -1-
58 Ending Theme -2-
59 Ending Theme -3-
60 Eternal Wind -.333 mix-
61 This is the Final Battle -THE BLACK MAGES Ver.-

Track 60 performed by muZik (techno arrange)
Track 61 arranged by Kenichiro Fukui and performed by The Black Mages

Includes a DVD featuring:
- Opening Movie (5.1ch, 2ch)
- In Store Promotion Video
- Special Interview ~FINAL FANTASY III Anecdote~ (Hiromichi Tanaka, Nobuo Uematsu, Tsuyoshi Sekito, Keiji Kawamori, Yasuhiro Yamanaka)

speedpop · (08-11-2006, 04:06 PM)

Hell yeah. OST will kick arse.

Those music samples sent me through a huge nostalgic trip. **** I miss the years 2000-2002. Such gaming innocence!

Pureauthor · (08-11-2006, 04:08 PM)

*prays for a sound room in the game*

Kuro Madoushi · (08-11-2006, 04:33 PM)

The game was viciously unbalanced until you got the two ultimate jobs at the very end, then you could equip whatever you want and then kick some ass.

I remember getting to the end of the near to last dungeon, and I didn't expect to make it out because I was low on EVERYTHING. But then I picked up the two last jobs and I made it out of the dungeon safely.

Y2Kev · (08-11-2006, 04:38 PM)

Bah, I don't like the sample for FINAL FANTASY on the page. I'm so spoiled after hearing Sakimoto's version, but I understand the difference in hardware ability and instrumentation... ;)

The in-game eternal wind sounds AWESOME.

Smiles and Cries · (08-11-2006, 04:41 PM)

so wait this never came out in the US?

O_o

cool