Final Fantasy XII launches in Japan

  • By Hirohiko Niizumi, GameSpot
  • Posted Mar 16, 2006 9:57 am PT

Midsize crowds gather in stores to buy long-awaited PS2 RPG, which Square Enix's president expects to arrive in the US before Thanksgiving.

Final Fantasy XII

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TOKYO--Square Enix's launch of Final Fantasy XII started off with a bang today. Though it was a weekday, customers were still seen in line before stores had opened, eagerly awaiting the long-in-development role-playing game. The Shinjuku Yodobashi Camera, site of many popular game-industry launches, didn't have a line at night. But in the morning, around 70 people had gathered by the time the store opened its doors. The lines dispersed quickly, but the store saw a steady stream of customers picking up the game before heading off to their offices.

Earlier at the Shibuya Tsutaya, where Square Enix held its official launch, about 100 people lined up to get a glimpse of the game's creators. FFXII director Akitoshi Kawatsu and Square Enix president Yoichi Wada appeared at the retail location to commemorate the game's launch, while theme-song singer Angela Aki and main-theme music composer Taro Hakase gave their greetings via a video message.

"When we originally announced FFXII's development back in 2000, we said it was going to be an online game," said Kawatsu, looking back at the game's six-year-long development. "It changed into an offline title during its development, and now it's finally completed. It took a lot of time and developers to create this game, and it can truly be considered a large-scale title."

According to Wada, the initial shipment of FFXII will be more than 2 million units. Square Enix expects all copies to sell out by the end of the month, allowing the company to reach its forecast for the fiscal year. He also commented that FFXII is targeted for release in North America by Thanksgiving, followed by a release in Europe. The game will also be released in Korea next month on April 6, although it will be a direct release of the Japanese version without any localization.

98 Comments

  • twohattricks3

    Posted Jun 7, 2006 11:45 am PT

    I played the demo, and watched the english trailers. This is going to be neat! To all the fans of the turn-based battle system, don't worry it will grow on you. I admit the first time i played the demo i was disappointed, but on the second try i was hooked. I also like the idea of not having random battles.

  • healious

    Posted Mar 22, 2006 4:15 pm PT

    dude it's final fantasy who cares what it's on it's final fantasy

  • initiald411

    Posted Mar 22, 2006 7:47 am PT

    no its not coming out for the 360

  • ddrfan

    Posted Mar 21, 2006 1:54 am PT

    wow 6 years in development !
    does that mean they've been working on FF-XIII for the past few years in the shadows !??!
    oh dear god they could be working for FF XIV !!:S
    oh well .. i can't wait for FFXII

  • beowolfpunch

    Posted Mar 20, 2006 4:23 am PT

    I can't hardly wait for this game, I have waited for a long time, Till PS3 will be released. Yaaah a little weird and more than coincidence

  • Erinion

    Posted Mar 19, 2006 9:30 pm PT

    you guys wanna know why the line up weren't that large? becuz everyone is saving up for a PS3! DUH!!!

  • Tribalinius

    Posted Mar 18, 2006 7:53 pm PT

    Great game so far, I can even camp monsters :3 [FFXI experience xD]

  • xXJ3huTyXx

    Posted Mar 18, 2006 6:18 pm PT

    "the411monkey
    what is up with this delay of games? so stupid, it was supposed to be here last thanksgiving!"

    Why would u rush a game if its not top notch yet? now that would be stupid

  • Ryuku

    Posted Mar 18, 2006 9:53 am PT

    yeah .. i don't really care for the combat system as well .. it took away the FF series system .. but it is cool seeing something new ...

  • stedmon8

    Posted Mar 18, 2006 6:29 am PT

    i dont care about the combat system as long it is organize. I care about a good story.

  • takatoyounes

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 8:12 pm PT

    I love FFXII

  • Seraphim_24

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 3:16 pm PT

    I still think they should have made this a PS3 launch title instead, but cool. It's been a long time since I last played a FInal Fantasy that wasn't online....

  • Asian_Country

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:46 am PT

    WAIT! so it isn't turned based! WTF, how can tey call this a Final Fantasy! How can it be a true Final Fantasy game without the turned-based battle system. Anyone agree! I doubt it can be anything of an impact like FFVII without it.

  • BajenVaNamnet

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 11:28 am PT

    Please Sqaue, hurry with the PAL version! And I thinks its great that the game is on PS2 and not PS3.

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 9:32 am PT

    After watching the movies, I must admit that my hype meter has climbed quite a bit.

  • emadayag

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 8:11 am PT

    ^ silly rabbit. Its not a new world. This is Invalice. The same world that took place in final fantasy tactics for ps1 and final fantasy tactics advance which was the gameboy advance version. Now, I want to know if it is released here by thanksgiving, are we going to get a thanksgiving treat in the form of "potion" or special north american "portion special set"???? hmmmmmmmm!!! I heard that drink is hella good!!!!

  • FOO_JY

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 8:01 am PT

    ahhhh new combat system... new story... new world....

    I'm ready for that !

  • dru26

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 6:55 am PT

    Upon further review , this game looks pretty badass. Some of the videos I saw on IGN reminded me of clan raids in EQ. How many party members do you have?

  • GigaDestroyer

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 5:49 am PT

    I saw the demo version in a shop and it looked great. Good thing its coming out at that time coz i wont be able to play ps2 before that.

  • Orasion_Seiz

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 2:23 am PT

    nice cant wait to get my copy of the japanese version. i wont wait until october anymore.

  • ivalone

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 1:22 am PT

    maybe ppl didn't line up coz ppl still think the game isn't out. i mean, how many release dates has been announced and delayed.

  • dru26

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 12:55 am PT

    Those gameplay movies look really nice, but the combat looks terrible. It reminds me of a mmorpg with really slow attacks. Believe me I'm no hater, I pray this game is better then it looks.

  • ewjim

    Posted Mar 17, 2006 12:23 am PT

    "...North America by Thanksgiving, followed by a release in Europe." - i'm in Europe and WHY we have to wait SO LONG?! IT'S NOT FAIR!!!

  • sasukedevil

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 9:38 pm PT

    Wow hella good news besides they are already MAKING Final Fantasy 13!! Never ending story...

  • blackIceJoe

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 8:36 pm PT

    I can't wait until it comes out in the US.THis game looks awesome and think this and other games like GOW2 and KH2 and many more coming out soon for the states will be a great send off to a great system.THis stuff will be the last good games for the PS2 before we move on to the new born Baby PS3.It will be a good year to say good bye to the PS2 and Hello to the PS3.

  • orangestar

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 7:13 pm PT

    Thank god it's final come out..i've been waitting for it for too long !!!

  • jumboplease06

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 6:45 pm PT

    I bet the final fantasy mania that was around in the seventh grade will come back again.

  • rbarahona

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 6:07 pm PT

    Sorry for the two posts.

  • rbarahona

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 6:07 pm PT

    This game will top tha charts in Japan for weeks. I think that this will be one of the strongest games for the PS2 this year. I'm waiting to play the U.S. version of the game. I got very excited about it when Famitsu gave it a perfect score.

  • eiru

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 5:29 pm PT

    Wohoo can't wait for it!

  • rain07ke

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 5:00 pm PT

    lucky ppl

  • neovalkyr

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 4:27 pm PT

    Also I'm looking foward to Oblivion more than this game.

  • neovalkyr

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 4:25 pm PT

    I just hope you can equip more than three pieces of equipment. And that there's actually a world map you can explore.

  • samuelnoir

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 3:55 pm PT

    Shotokan_42 I'm afraid you're in for some bad news ...

  • Digital-Devil

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 3:45 pm PT

    I can't wait for this, it has been WAY to long since a NEW Final Fantasy has come out, and i loved the demo, i am happy it isn't all about turn based anymore

  • dru26

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 3:36 pm PT

    I heard the demo was god awful, I hope it is better then early reports. I can't understand why there is such a long delay for this game to come to the U.S.

  • gmoney20xx

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 3:25 pm PT

    Great! Must we wait that long?

  • billigloo

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 3:16 pm PT

    japanese rpg have kinda blown chunk's ths gen other than dragon quest 8 most have been crap. i'm beginning to move towards western rpgs even though they tend to be buggy ( morrowind i'm lookin at you)

  • shotokan_42

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 3:04 pm PT

    As long as the turn-based gameplay is still there, then I'll definitely get it.

  • Salehjamal

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 2:49 pm PT

    birdinflight, I think it's because Japanese are sane people who know that they will play the game sooner or later so there is no need to waste time waiting in a line to get the game! beside, SE said they are expecting the 2 million copies to be out in one month!! that's a massive number and without stupid long lines of waiting..

  • ultimate_zero

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 2:42 pm PT

    Can't wait for this game to arrive in North America. I'm gonna be the first in line for it, on the release date...=)

  • tubarao1

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 2:28 pm PT

    best rpg EVER went out on my birthdate! I´M HONOUR! LOL

  • faridmon

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 2:13 pm PT

    finally, a was waiting this game for so long. and when is it comming to europe

  • MadGamer132

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 2:10 pm PT

    my sister wants it sooooo bad!. don't bet on it!.

  • ephilx

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 1:41 pm PT

    We´ve waited six years already, so waiting till thanksgiving will be bearable.

  • FuguNabe

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 1:40 pm PT

    I was among those crowds... mwahahaha.. I have my copy.. now just have to wait till I get back to play PS2 at home in Kyoto this weekend... *sigh*... anyhow it's gonna be a a weekend with FFXII and I instead of my usual going out drinking with friends activities .... hehe.

  • dodgyd55

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 1:17 pm PT

    awww i wish i had a japanees friend to read evey thing to me

  • dodgyd55

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 1:13 pm PT

    lol i allways thought thanx giving was like some weird xmas, untill recently

  • dodgyd55

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 1:10 pm PT

    Yuck_Foo
    So who's going to buy this and end up playing it on a PS3...it's been delayed so long I would rather have seen it brought out for the PS3 as a launch title.............the same thing happened for half-life 2 on the xbox (because i had no pc at the time and wanted to play this online as well) since the source was stolen they took like 5 month more or something stupid. if it came out on the 360 with evey thing the pc had it would of been a success on console

  • dante_123456

    Posted Mar 16, 2006 1:02 pm PT

    i can't wait, i'm tempted to go into cryogenic sleep untill it launches in N.A.

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