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[duckroll]

http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20120227_514896.html

On Feb 29, Square Enix will be releasing the first in a series of Bravely Default free demos on the 3DS eShop. The first demo is Bravely Default Demo Vol1 - The Priestess of Crystal. The demo's main purpose is to introduce players to the main heroine Agnes, who is the priestess of the Wind Crystal. The demo will allow players to control a character, and experience the visual concept of the game. There will also be a new AR Movie in the demo featuring Agnes.

This is the first in the Bravely Default Demo series. Square Enix intends to continue releasing more free demos for the game to continue to introduce players to the game's world, gameplay systems, and unannounced characters leading up to the eventual release of the game.

To fully utilize the AR Movie in the demo, players will need to download the demo from the eShop and also use the AR Marker provided for free on the official site.

Some new official screens:

 

[Linkup]

Game has a lovely style.

 

[Electivirus]

I hope these demos make it over to the states. >.<

 

[nincompoop]

And of course, the US will get nothing and like it.

 

[Phonomezer]

I hope it's as good as it looks, beautiful style.

 

[BorkBork]

Smart set of moves to drum up interest. Gorgeous little game to boot.

 

[Truth101]

That overworld, so beautiful.

 

[Fantastical]

A series of demos? That's a great idea!

 

[Snakeyes]

Looks a lot like Wind Waker, which is a good thing. I don't recall the models having that distinctive art style in the earlier pics.

 

[Eusis]

I hope these demos make it over to the states. >.<

I hope the US gets it period. I'm feeling kind of paranoid about this and SE on a whole lately, especially since it doesn't have the Final Fantasy name to protect its chances like with 4HoL.

 

[Thoraxes]

You can definitely see the progress they've been making. Looking good!

 

[jump_button]

this is the type of RPG I'm missing so much T_T hope hey a lot of story with a lot of twists

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

I'll probably have to take a raincheck on the demo for a couple of weeks, but I'm definitely getting it in March. Those native resolution images are very pleasing aesthetically.

 

[Jinfash]

I like what I'm seeing.

 

[CorvoSol]

This is Square Enix teasing you with the possibility that they still know how to make a good RPG. They'll just wait forever to announce a Localization for it. I'm still hoping they out and out say it's a 4 Heroes of Light game. That's one of my favorite FFs in recent memory.

 

[Erethian]

SE really doesn't seem to have any trouble getting demos up on the eShop.

 

[@MUWANdo]

I'm still hoping they out and out say it's a 4 Heroes of Light game. That's one of my favorite FFs in recent memory.

It's the same team, the same art style, the same composer (I think?), but does it use the same gameplay system? Do we actually know how it plays yet? I get the impression it's not going for the same "modern retro" approach.

 

[leroidys]

It's the same team, the same art style, the same composer (I think?), but does it use the same gameplay system? Do we actually know how it plays yet? I get the impression isn't not going for the same "modern retro" approach.

Yeah, I hope it has something good though. One of the best things about 4WoL is that it went with an oldschool job system.

 

[duckroll]

It's the same team, the same art style, the same composer (I think?), but does it use the same gameplay system? Do we actually know how it plays yet? I get the impression isn't not going for the same "modern retro" approach.

How do you know it's the same team and the same composer? They haven't announced anything about that at all. In fact, the producer seems to have suggested the opposite. So far only the character artist is the same.

 

[@MUWANdo]

How do you know it's the same team and the same composer? They haven't announced anything about that at all. In fact, the producer seems to have suggested the opposite. So far only the character artist is the same.

Like I said, I'm not sure about the composer--I could have just assumed that--but didn't they already confirm it's a Matrix game?

 

[blu]

The prospects of this game make me wish I could read Japanese.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

Cant wait to see and hear demo impressions in a few days.. anyways, I really hope this gets a speedy NA release!

 

[leroidys]

Cant wait to see and hear demo impressions in a few days.. anyways, I really hope this gets a speedy NA release!

I remember the majority being very down on the chances of 4WoL coming over, and it did end up having a very late announcement. I hope that they chose to bring this one over as well, and I would not be surprised if they kept the "Final Fantasy" naming convention of its predecessor for western release. Even if the name didn't sound completely nonsensical to native English speakers, I would expect them to slap final fantasy on there somewhere.

 

[Takao]

I hope the US gets it period. I'm feeling kind of paranoid about this and SE on a whole lately, especially since it doesn't have the Final Fantasy name to protect its chances like with 4HoL.

Final Fantasy Dimensions

Believe

 

[botty]

Everything is so chibi. I am digging SE's 3DS support.

 

[NFreak]

These are obviously bullshots but man, I fucking love the art style in this game. Can't wait to see more.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

I remember the majority being very down on the chances of 4WoL coming over, and it did end up having a very late announcement. I hope that they chose to bring this one over as well, and I would not be surprised if they kept the "Final Fantasy" naming convention of its predecessor for western release. Even if the name didn't sound completely nonsensical to native English speakers, I would expect them to slap final fantasy on there somewhere.

The name may need a do-over for a NA release, but this game would certainly have its appeal for people. I really hope this makes it over as it seems like I game I would actually really like to play with some amazing art.

 

[Zekes!]

4 Heroes of Light was my favourite Final Fantasy game in recent years so I'm mad hyped for this.

 

[duckroll]

Like I said, I'm not sure about the composer--I could have just assumed that--but didn't they already confirm it's a Matrix game?

Nope. They never said it was by Matrix. In fact, when the producer said that the scenario and sound staff in particular are staff who have not previously worked with S-E before. They've said very little about the development of the game, and seem to not want to show much gameplay at all right now. The main background artist for the game is a Mr. Ueda, who might be Wataru Ueda, or a new staff who joined S-E very recently.

 

[StreetsAhead]

Can't wait to try this out. The graphics also look much more polished now, hopefully it plays well.

 

[electroplankton]

FFIX's vibe

 

[StickSoldier]

I wonder what the chances of this coming over are. I'm sure that can't be that low....right?

 

[MidnightScott]

Cool I'll give it a try in a few days *Japanese 3DS FTW

 

[Zornica]

It seems like a very traditional jrpg, but the music has some very interessting arrangement and instrument choices, so it could be something unique and fresh. I can't wait for some first impressions.

 

[Eusis]

I wonder what the chances of this coming over are. I'm sure that can't be that low....right?

I think it might be helped by being a 3DS game when the 3DS is in the middle of rising. If this were, say, a PSP game we'd be screwed, and even on Vita they might just chalk it up to an incompatible market and ignore it. Or just ignore it period, I have no idea what's happening with Lords of Apocalypse but even if Arcana tanked the Vita version probably would've been a good idea to get out ASAP to feed off of desperate early adopters... like me.

I don't have ANY hopes for keeping that name though. Almost a shame, it has it's nonsensical charm but they're going to want something more sensible here, whatever it is they go with.

 

[Aostia]

So lovely...I really hope for western release, as was for FWOL...

 

[MasterSheen]

Sometimes I wish I had purchased a Jp. 3DS instead of a U.S. one. Game looks wonderful.

 

[jump_button]

These are obviously bullshots but man, I fucking love the art style in this game. Can't wait to see more.

still looking good when they not but maybe its just the res maybe it is that good

 

[BishopLamont]

Sometimes I wish I was Japanese.

 

[Celine]

Beautiful.

4WoL had great potential but it didn't fulfill it in its entirety.

 

[weeaboo]

I loooooooooooove Yoshida's cute artstyle <3

 

[BocoDragon]

I hope the US gets it period. I'm feeling kind of paranoid about this and SE on a whole lately, especially since it doesn't have the Final Fantasy name to protect its chances like with 4HoL.

I'm curious... why is this? Have there been any significant Square Enix games passed over for western release lately?

 

[frostbyte]

I'm curious... why is this? Have there been any significant Square Enix games passed over for western release lately?

The Last Remnant PS3? ah, brain fart.

 

[jump_button]

I'm curious... why is this? Have there been any significant Square Enix games passed over for western release lately?

Type-0?

 

[duckroll]

The Last Remnant PS3?

What? That doesn't exist.

Type-0?

It's coming.

 

[@MUWANdo]

still looking good when they not but maybe its just the res maybe it is that good

From what I gather, the PICA200 graphics processor is able to output at much higher resolutions than the 3DS can actually display on its tiny-arse screen, so a lot of "bullshots" are due to the capture kits processing 'em at a larger res and then shrinking 'em to 400x240. In that sense they're not really deliberately deceptive.

Nope. They never said it was by Matrix. In fact, when the producer said that the scenario and sound staff in particular are staff who have not previously worked with S-E before. They've said very little about the development of the game, and seem to not want to show much gameplay at all right now. The main background artist for the game is a Mr. Ueda, who might be Wataru Ueda, or a new staff who joined S-E very recently.

Oh, cool. Good to know.

 

[slaughterking]

Looks like their are going all out with their demo plans. Good on Nintendo for not being dumb about it.

 

[Kesagiri]

This is probably my most anticipated game right now. I wish there was half a chance that the NA eshop will have these demos.

 

[Eusis]

I'm curious... why is this? Have there been any significant Square Enix games passed over for western release lately?

After Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume they pretty much gave up on bringing over DS games entirely unless it was Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, or (to a lesser extent since they gave up publishing/marketing but not localizing) Dragon Quest, and I think SaGa 2 came out in Japan long before they gave up there. Then there's the conspicuous absence of Lord of Apocalypse at the Vita's launch, but the reasons for that could range from Arcana being a failure (presumably), being a heavier game to localize and thus impractical to have at both launches, and possibly even Sony rejection for whatever reason (it DOES sound like it's a heavily upgraded Lord of Arcana rather than a whole new game).

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

Sometimes I wish I was Japanese.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_naturalization