E3 06: Square Enix reveals E3 lineup

  • By Dan Tochen, GameSpot
  • Posted Apr 24, 2006 1:58 pm PT

Japanese game behemoth continues to bank on its Final Fantasy franchise with six of the series' games at the show; new installments of Mana series and Valkyrie Profile will also appear.

Today Square Enix launched its Electronic Entertainment Expo Web site and revealed its game lineup for this year's show. It's no surprise that Final Fantasy games take top billing; the company will present no fewer than six Final Fantasy games on handhelds and consoles, and will also show two more for cell phones.

The full announced lineup is listed below, with tentative US release dates in parentheses. Unless otherwise noted, Square Enix has promised that these games will be playable.

Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan for the PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Windows (already released)--This Final Fantasy XI expansion is the only game that Square Enix will show for the Xbox 360 and Windows platforms.

Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII for the PlayStation 2 (summer 2006)--This game is set three years after Final Fantasy VII, and stars Vincent Valentine in conflict with mysterious invaders called the Deepground soldiers. The game combines shooter elements with classic Square Enix RPG action.

Dawn of Mana for PlayStation 2 (release TBD)--The first true Mana sequel in a decade, Dawn of Mana will break the 2D mold and brings the franchise's world to three dimensions, while still attempting to preserve the look and feel of the originals. Dawn of Mana will be shown on video only.

Final Fantasy XII for the PlayStation 2 (fall 2006)--Square Enix touts two innovations in this game: "Active dimension battle" and a new combat system. The active dimension system lets players move seamlessly between exploration and combat, eliminating the random battles and the accompanying load times that disrupted the experience in prior games. Meanwhile, the new combat system lets the player define rules governing the character's behavior--an innovation that Square Enix refers to as the "gambit" system.

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria for the PlayStation 2 (2006)--Square Enix has implemented an updated combat system in this game as well: an evolution of the prequel's well-regarded battle system.

Children of Mana for the Nintendo DS (2006)--This game allows four players to play together, either cooperatively or competitively, and follows in the Mana series' tradition of action RPG gameplay.

Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime for the Nintendo DS (2006)--This is the latest game from the creative team behind the 2005 RPG Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King. The hero of this brand-new action adventure is a slime--one of the most popular monsters from the Dragon Quest series. Players will take control of the slime and employ unusual mechanics like bouncing and stretching to solve puzzles and rescue captured allies. The game also employs the Nintendo DS's wireless capabilities to offer head-to-head combat.

Final Fantasy III for the Nintendo DS (2006)--The only Final Fantasy that was never localized, the third installment of the original series, will finally come to the US. The original game has been revamped with completely reworked and remodeled graphics in full 3D.

Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth for the PSP (2006)--The classic PlayStation title Valkyrie Profile, originally released in 2000, is coming to the PSP system with completely new CG cutscenes. The game is developed by tri-Ace, the company that created the popular Radiata Stories and Star Ocean series.

Final Fantasy V Advance and Final Fantasy VI Advance for the Game Boy Advance (both 2006)--The latest GBA revamps of the long-running role-playing series will not be playable on the show floor, but will be shown in video form.

Square Enix will also be showing off an array of cell phone games, most notably Before Crisis - Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy I, both set for a 2006 release. Also announced but with release dates to be determined are Brave Shot 2, 3D Space Invaders, Chase H.Q. 3D, and Elevator Action 3D.

183 Comments

  • comthitnuong

    Posted May 19, 2006 2:04 pm PT

    w00t

  • Fuuuuureakkkk

    Posted May 8, 2006 7:08 am PT

    I want a damn FF7 remake, or a sequal and not a freggin spin off

  • rpgczar

    Posted May 3, 2006 8:48 pm PT

    The main reason square doesn't want to announce FF13 in a hurry is they are still waiting for FF12 to be released in the u.s. and probably don't want fans to get excited about a next gen FF until the current gen one is gone.My prediction is that square has got several surprises in store.They may announce FF13 at E3 or even a FF7 remake.As for front mission and CCFF7 I think they are keeping them a secret for a bit longer or atleast until the day of e3 as well as FFCC for the ds and the WII.

  • QuantumFireball

    Posted May 3, 2006 1:50 pm PT

    why are none of the games for nextgen?!?!?
    yay more FF!! DON'T SCREW THIS UP SQUARE!

  • slayerofshadows

    Posted May 3, 2006 8:54 am PT

    theres still there special announcement to look forward to...

  • Kwzy

    Posted May 1, 2006 12:28 pm PT

    man, 360 sux!!! they never get the good stuff!!
    I was thinking about getting a 360...
    but, they have only SHOOTERs!! I can't live without games like Final Fantasy!!! theese games are worth! are really SUPER PRODUcTION!!

  • Kwzy

    Posted May 1, 2006 12:07 pm PT

    And FF 13 for the PS3????
    they said that in E3 would have a trailler!!

  • living_wmd_888

    Posted Apr 30, 2006 11:59 pm PT

    The DS and the current generation systems are where the action is in 2006.
    Long live Square Enix and Nintendo!

    Although, I am interested in the PS3 and the Wii (sure wish Nintendo would have thought up a better name, but on the other hand, I thought - and still think - that Xbox is a pretty idiotic name too.)

  • conradiscman

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 12:20 am PT

    I wish that the new dragon quest was going to be for ps2. I also wish that all of the new final fantasy titles and remakes should be for ps2 as well. I can understand they want to expand to other platforms but why not make it on the ps2 as well. (WHY NOT PS3) I also have heard about the FF7 remake for ps3. I can't wait. One part of me wants the battle system to be the same the other part wants some change. I think it would be awsome if the did a total remake with original everything.(battle system included) Then made another entry. Same characters and world and yes even Sephiroth. (With Cloud as the main character) This game should just be another part of the FF7 saga. I know it's wishful thinking as a very happy fan, but it would sell. I wish I was rich I would fund the entier thing myself. (That's a promise) If I ever get rich I will talk to who ever it takes to make it happen. I know they have the fans intrest in mind.(and an awsome team) But I also think they should be going to the fans taking in new ideas or even requesting fans to send in e-mails or letters, anything.(if there is something like this that I don't know about I'm sorry for saying so. It's just an idea.)
    Conrad J. Schneider

  • Bazook

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 11:12 am PT

    Cool 3 Awesome DS titles what's better well putting some FF7 would be cool to put on the DS and FF9

  • Hellscreamdra

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 6:45 am PT

    Wasn't FFXIII supposed to be shown? Atleast thats what gamespot claimed in an earlier article on FFXII... Might wanna get your facts straight gamespot before you say something like that, I was reallt interested to see that!

  • jaysun135

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 5:35 am PT

    Where is the next gen..and why cant squareenix just remake ff vii on nextgen and get it over with. Stop remaking all of these crap games....Seven is the money and fans are getting tired of waiting for the remake of the millenia.

    "I am not a fan of final fantasy...I am a fan of the game final fantasy 7."

  • rafaelszpo

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 5:03 am PT

    The DS is getting some love. A pity the same doesn´t happen to the game cube =/ Those Final Fantasy would look much greater in the Cube´s much better graphical capabilities =)

  • chimneysmoke

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 4:58 am PT

    impressive

  • barkera0

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 3:39 am PT

    wahoo! games on DS!

  • gerkyo26

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 11:20 pm PT

    Not Front Mission 5,its of my favorite games after FFs,i hope it realize to the PS3, with the new engine of the machine this game will be great! 10 out 10.

    I hope they dont forget this great game, cause behind there are many fans of this game, i am one of they.

  • roy_008

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 9:16 pm PT

    Too many games to watch out for. I'm looking forward to FF III, Mana series and Valkyrie. I'm just hoping for a press conference during the show for the next-gen games.

  • ppau08223

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 9:14 pm PT

    i think Front Mission 5 will be realised on the PS3.........so it can take advantage of its graphics abilities

  • ppau08223

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 9:07 pm PT

    What happened to Front mission 5??how come they didnt announce any PS3 titles??I know thet are working on one so why dont they just have it displayed??

  • JJOR64

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 8:42 pm PT

    I'm looking forward to Final Fantasy III, Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime, and Children of Mana.

  • quietguy

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 8:37 pm PT

    OMG they really need to get off the FF series! No wonder XII IS the last, the serie's starting to bore the hell out of me (Anybody what's going on with Advent Children? Having gotten in touch with it for awhile). WTF?! No Front Mission 5? And where the hell is Crisis Core?! God Enix, time to get your *bleep* straightened out.

  • noxian

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 8:30 pm PT

    well for some stuff, there was a rumor going around that this current batch of games was rather delayed, so while other stuff has been in the works; this batch held up the process. That is, S-E didn't want to announce MORE stuff when the current stuff hasn't even hit the US market yet (remember E3 is technically a US trade show, even though it gets all sorts of news). That was just a rumor though, so take that as you will.

  • Mosh595

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 7:19 pm PT

    What?! No Chrono sequel?! That...That's not cool. George is getting frustrated!

  • KevComesRipping

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 6:55 pm PT

    I really hope they don't release Before Crisis ONLY for mobile...*starts praying bedside for a GBA version at the very least* Everything else is sounding pretty good though, I figure they didn't mention FFCC because it probably won't be out 'til '07, they seem to be making plenty of quality "Squenix" products to keep me busy in the meantime.

  • saturos

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 6:44 pm PT

    Unbelievable .... Its music to my ears..! SQUARENIX I LOVE YOU!...i love you T_T

  • shinjio220

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 5:33 pm PT

    Hmm... makes you wonder if the FF VII remake coming true really was a hoax after all.

  • Jir11

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 5:05 pm PT

    Wow what an impressive lineup of games to be presented at E3. I'm looking forward to see how Valkyrie Profile 2 is going to look like!

  • Skelitor

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 5:01 pm PT

    I could have sworn they were making a psp final fantasy. Was i mistaken?

  • Anew614

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 4:38 pm PT

    That is great news square but wht people would love to know is, r u gonna make FF Vll come out on the PS3. That is the million dollar question?

  • Halexandre

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 4:32 pm PT

    YEAH! I only wish time could run faster when we expect Squenix's games!

  • DaveRocks

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 4:28 pm PT

    What?! Mana sequel?! Ouu baby....don't let me down!!

  • Iffy350

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 4:03 pm PT

    60% final fantasy . . . . lame.

  • dennis_phong

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 3:45 pm PT

    sweet lineup!!!!

  • Jen0839

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 3:39 pm PT

    Sweet, thats a bunch of Final fantasy titles. For Ps3 I´d rather see final fantasy XIII then XII. Im almost tired of waitng for 12 and i want somethin new.

  • SithLordKiller

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 3:32 pm PT

    Good stuff.

  • fierro316

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 2:47 pm PT

    Einhander 2 KTHNXBAI.

  • Naruto-freak

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 2:43 pm PT

    sweet
    some ds games in there

  • xbox_gamer1

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 2:17 pm PT

    Get some for 360!!!

  • Bahamut50

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 2:08 pm PT

    FOR ALL who want to yell because some games are not on list, why would they put on games that are almost out and arent their focus. duh

  • LiK

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 1:36 pm PT

    yawn, maybe sqenix needs to come out with more ORIGINAL games. old FF game remakes have been beaten to death by them.

  • Beesond

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 1:20 pm PT

    OH and where the F is FFVII CC!!!

  • 777rak

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 1:19 pm PT

    I am excited about the Final Fantasy for DS,GBA

  • Beesond

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 1:17 pm PT

    Well If they do annoucne a PS3 game, I hope its a FFVII revamp!!!

  • Star2020

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 1:02 pm PT

    what about the next gen

  • CorruptGamerGX

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 11:10 am PT

    Now were talking

  • KamaKase

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 10:22 am PT

    I want Ehrgeiz 2.

  • luis7989_7

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 10:07 am PT

    -what the hell !?! we already now that they are going to release the whole final fantasy series from I to XII, but what about of totally new next-gen projects?!?, we need a different great game, without the words "final" or "fantasy" or any roman number, how about a sequel to Chrono Trigger?

  • jester_88

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 10:01 am PT

    Where in the heck is Crisis Core? We already know about the other games and frankly i don't care about old news. i want to know when crisis core comes out!

  • queen_valentine

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 9:56 am PT

    Yay for FFV, FFVI, FFXII and FFIII!!!!!!!!!!

  • King9999

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 9:50 am PT

    It's no surprise, but Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria is coming this year, making it THE RPG to get this year...at least for me. The only problem now is when the game will be released. If it's released at the same time as FFXII, well...that's just stupid.

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