Final Fantasy XIII due March 9

Square Enix's latest J-RPG headed to North America and Europe in early 2010, Leona Lewis' "My Hands" named as theme song; new trailer inside.

Japanese gamers have known since early September that they'd be able to wade into Square Enix's highly anticipated Final Fantasy XIII on December 17. However, Square Enix has continued to string along North American and European gamers, saying only that the game would debut on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the West, hopefully, within three months of the game's Japanese debut, sometime in spring 2010.

Lightning is about ready to strike.

Today, Square Enix ended the mystery, announcing that Final Fantasy XIII will be available in North America and Europe on March 9. The publisher also said today that "My Hands" from Leona Lewis' upcoming album Echo has been chosen as the game's theme song.

Final Fantasy XIII was announced for the PlayStation 3 alone alongside Final Fantasy Versus XIII as part of the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo. However, Square Enix caused a stir at E3 2008 when it announced during Microsoft's press conference that the Japanese role-playing game would arrive in tandem on the Xbox 360. All said, Square Enix expects Final Fantasy XIII to shift some 6 million units worldwide across the two platforms.

Set in the futuristic city of Cocoon, Final Fantasy XIII follows the plight of female protagonist Lightning, as well as myriad supporting characters. Though Square Enix has released limited information about the game's plot, it will apparently see Lightning and her cohorts fighting against their "destiny" to destroy a separate locale known as "Pulse," and the denizens of that place.

For more information, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Final Fantasy XIII, as well as the brand-new trailer, below.

742 Comments

  • Baelex

    Posted Nov 22, 2009 2:48 pm PT

    Unbelievably poor choice for them to change the main theme of the game to a crappy pop song that does not channel the spirit of Final Fantasy AT ALL. They only did it so that the game could make a few headlines in the U.S. because they got a semi-famous singer on board. Basically, they're sacrificing the quality of the game in order to (maybe) sell a couple more copies. Disgusting. There's no need to hide the fact that the game is Japanese. History of videogames has shown us that attempts to adjust the content in Japanese games for localization purposes have turned out AWFUL.... I just thought they would learn.

  • anger021780

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 6:12 am PT

    Finally a concrete date! And yeah wtf at the song lol... Oh well I can live with some crappy pop song...

  • Gammet25

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:53 pm PT

    Its been so long since i heard that final fantasy 13 is coming out, *sigh*

  • KillerWabbit23

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 3:43 pm PT

    RELEASE DATE FINALLY! YESH
    but i'm worried about that song... ugh.

  • X-Remnant

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 1:45 pm PT

    Oh God... that song is awful.

  • HerbalVideogame

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 1:32 pm PT

    Still tho... It's all about Versus XIII baby. Oh yeah.

  • HerbalVideogame

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 1:29 pm PT

    @texasgoldrush I'm sorry but Jenova, was really the main villian of FFVII. Sephiroth doesn't want to "take care of the planet" as you say, there is no theme of that with him. He wants to be one with his mother, Jenova. Jenova is an alien super being that consumes all energy and planets in it's path, and be the ultimate ruler of the universe. Cloud is a representation of the detached people of the planet who wanted ultimate strength and desire, but lose themselves along the way, thus the inner struggle of who he really is. And you could really go on and on about it all, which is why the story in that is pretty good. The game was fairly easy, but I'd have to say that beating the weapons, in any stretch of the imagination is not easy, not normal, not hard, but incredibly difficult. Still, I prefer VIII to all, call me crazy, but the style just calls my name for some reason.

  • BaLLz_ON_FiRE

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 1:08 pm PT

    more milk please

  • LynnJynh9315

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 9:25 am PT

    "Bet you'd like to know the North American release date, ya? Well... they didn't tell me"

    What a frickin jerk! what the frickin heck was he thin... ... oh... :-) Lol.

  • telmobarbosa

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 5:17 am PT

    Please dont make us suffer anymore, just release this already... That battle system and graphics seems amazing, reminds me of FFX wich was the title that i relate to the most.

  • flyingteddy

    Posted Nov 18, 2009 4:43 am PT

    really enjoyed FFVII due to the materia system, probably my favourite system of all the series.

  • neno2480

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 9:31 pm PT

    @Space_Lion.

    You need to read what I said again, man. Not trying to be rude but here: "You read it because of the story and FF7 had a great one. Could have been better, could have had more originality to it, could have been explained better on key elements, coulda coulda coulda. Come on...just stop with the "could have" crap."

    "Again, don't get me wrong, Chrono Trigger, FF6, Legend of Dragoon, Alundra, FF4, Tales series, Grandia, etc. are alllll fantastic games(and better) but none of them had as big of an impact on the gaming industry than FF7 and for THAT, the game should get SOME respect because it paved the way for the USA to get more and more JRPGs." With all of this, I am saying that FF7 should be respected for it's impact but as you can see, I DID mention plenty of games that are BETTER. Before you lecture someone, please pay attention to what they say.

  • Space_Lion

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 8:16 pm PT

    The point being, saying that something is good because: it was the first to do this, that, or that. Or that it was a break through for it's time is a stupid argument. We should judge a work by itself independent of impact. If something is poorly written but was a break through, does it mean that it's better than something that is well written but doesn't break "new" grounds. In otherwords is the song "I want to hold your hand" better than say Radioheads "paranoid Agent" simply by the merits which you use to declare VII as great.

    Now I'm not saying that VII is a bad game, but I'm saying that to say that it's better than VI just because it's more popular and it was many people's first RPG is quite asinine.

  • Space_Lion

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 8:16 pm PT

    @ neno2480, you shouldn't judge quality based on it's impact, but based simply on its quality. Shakespeare is still popular today because his works are actually genius, regardless of their impact. It's why years later things that were once popular or had large impact on their respective industry sometimes fade to obscurity, but obscure things become popular with time because people realize they're good. This is a common theme in the literary world. William Blake died poor and hardly anyone read his poems, now he's one of the most famous Romantic era poets, while many that were popular at the time are no longer remembered. The same goes for Herman Melville. Moby dick went out of print shortly after it was published and faded into obscurity, now no one will say that it's not one of the greatest American novels of all time.

  • neno2480

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 7:21 pm PT

    About the FF7 deal...difficulty wise...I would have to say that it is pretty easy. I barely ever saw the Gameover screen like I did in 6 but! Difficulty of a game does not take away quality. If you want to be extremely challenged, play games that are made for that like over the top shooters. RPGs are an interactive book. You don't read a book for a challenge. You read it because of the story and FF7 had a great one. Could have been better, could have had more originality to it, could have been explained better on key elements, coulda coulda coulda. Come on...just stop with the "could have" crap. It was a landmark game the set the tone for RPGs AND the console war between PS1, Sega Saturn, N64, Gamecube, etc.. that all came out during that time. That is why it is iconic, that is why it has such a huge fanbase. Not to mention that it was a LOT of gamers FIRST RPG!! Again, don't get me wrong, Chrono Trigger, FF6, Legend of Dragoon, Alundra, FF4, Tales series, Grandia, etc. are alllll fantastic games(and better) but none of them had as big of an impact on the gaming industry than FF7 and for THAT, the game should get SOME respect because it paved the way for the USA to get more and more JRPGs.

  • neno2480

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 7:21 pm PT

    @-Celeste-

    The problem with gamers like you and I is that we played the old school stuff where gaming was still new and developers made the game the way they wanted. Now, developers are trying to get the most money and they are torn between making a game THEY want and making a game that will sell to EVERYONE. Basically, the casual gamer market is winning because the casual gamer has the money and will buy any game they are told because they don't know any better. Hence why the Wii continues to out sell the others. Do casual gamers really want to get frustrated and not beat a game after they spent $60? No.

  • jellyBEANz1

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 6:13 pm PT

    Nothing holds a candle to nostalgia, but oh please you're not fooling anyone, you'll be lined up at your local retail store like everyone else on release date.

  • S_Pac_316

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 5:43 pm PT

    FF has sold out. I'll pass on this game. It will never hold a candle to FFVI.

  • ArmoredBreaker

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 4:24 pm PT

    @-Celeste-

    Did u at least beat one of the weapons(desert or underwater weapon) in ff7??? of course the ffs get easier but is because they have much more things to do than just fight the final boss!!

  • ArmoredBreaker

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 4:21 pm PT

    @texasgoldrush

    Are you retarded?? sorry for the offense but im very bad at english and i know that sephiroth was responsible for using the ''meteor magic''While aerith used the energy of lifestream to protect everybody with Holy!!!! That was awesome, sorry u sucks!!

  • deadcowboy6

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 12:51 pm PT

    i doubt it'll actually come, but if it does I'll definitely buy it

  • -Celeste-

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 11:36 am PT

    @CharlieFubar

    Please explain WHERE in my original comment I said anything remotely close about where FF12 lay in relation to all the other FF's. I didn't even imply that it was in the top 5 let alone the top 3. The only comment I made was that FF12>FF7. There could be 5 other FF's in front of 12. FF7 was ridiculously easy. It was a cake walk compared to FF1-6. All the FF's after 6 have gotten progressively easier and easier to beat.

    You really should stop put words into other people's mouths as if they say something they really arent. If you want me to list out my order for best FF's, then do so, but don't assume that 12 is my #1 FF.

  • buffdaddy69

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 10:34 am PT

    @ texasgoldrush

    I Guess you need to learn how to read or something. The Main Objective the whole game, Is to keep the planet Safe from EVil. Shin-Ra = a Threat to the Planets Well Being, Sephiroth = A Bigger Threat to The Planets well being.

    Hmmm...Cloud going up against both Shin-Ra and Sephiroth to save the planet kinda sounds looking out and taking care of the planet, because you're taking away two negatives so the planet can continue to live longer.

    jesus christ.

  • tyco_ex

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 7:06 am PT

    Everyone knows 12's story was just a poor rip off of the Star Wars story.

  • jellyBEANz1

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 6:01 am PT

    @DeadScytheBlaze
    Buy the JP version, I don't speak very much Japanese and as such I prefer the English voice. Also before you respond, scroll down and take a moment to review how much of a loser you're making yourself look like; that is not acceptable behavior unless you're under the age of 10.

  • texasgoldrush posted Nov 17, 2009 2:19 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    texasgoldrush

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 2:19 am PT (hide)

    @ buffdaddy69

    The problem with FFVII is that the main antagonist and the main conflict, the one between Cloud and Sephiroth, has nothing to do with the human abuse of the Planet. The main conflict in the game boils down to revenge. Thats why FFVII fails. It tries to say something important about human abuse of the planet, but the message is muddled by the main conflict not being about that. Sephiroth himself does not fit the theme of "taking care of the planet" well either and your main antagonist has to fit the main theme of the narrative. Shinra is not the main antagonist, and if the designers wanted the theme you stated to be the main one, they should have been the main antagonists. In FFVI, Kefka does fit the main theme of the game, as the polar opposite of human preserverence. FFVI theme is that we as humans find meanings in our lives, such as love for one another and their memories and triumphs, even in times of great despair (symbolized by the World of Ruin) and will fight to live, even though one day we must die. The Empire is just a stepping stone on the road to power for Kefka.

  • DeadScytheBlaze

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 1:13 am PT

    They should let us choose japanese voice, and if japanese voice is selected, this theme will be played.

  • DeadScytheBlaze

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 12:44 am PT

    Just listen to this awesome song Sugawara Sayuru Kimi Ga Iru Kara this awesome song cannot be compared with my hand which sucks
    Japanese Song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op2HX48FG0g

  • DeadScytheBlaze

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 12:42 am PT

    i have already sent a message to Square Enix please do this too....
    in order to make as an official sountrach the Japanese song.....PLEASE

  • DeadScytheBlaze posted Nov 17, 2009 12:41 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    DeadScytheBlaze

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 12:41 am PT (hide)

    PLEASE LET'S ALL DO SOMETHING IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS SONG BE THE OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK OF FINAL FANTASY 13......PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE........ ......................I LOVE IT SO MUCH...................LEONA LEWIS SUCKS............WE ALL WANT Sugawara Sayuri - Kimi Ga Iru Kara............

  • buffdaddy69

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 12:03 am PT

    @ texasgoldrush

    Also, FF7 was originally ment to be a sequel to VI, then ws changed to take place in New York and Be a Detective Story, then was changed to what we have today. FF7 had bigger and better moments then 12, with Hojo actually being Sephiroths Father after it was explained that He forced himself on Sephys real mom. Aeris being maimed by Sephiroth (Which Fueled Clouds motive of Revenge more, seeing how Clouds originally intent was to get even with Sephiroth for all the pain he put him through) I could go on and on. FF7 = AMAZING

    FF12= Watered DOwn Combined Bootleg version of crappy MMO gameplay and Equally Crappy Story.

    The End.

  • buffdaddy69

    Posted Nov 17, 2009 12:02 am PT

    @ texasgoldrush

    Since you're saying VII ripped off of 6 story wise like you said with the whole Resistence going up against an Evil Empire or Person, Then you can Say all Final Fantasy 12 rips off both VI and VII with the whole Vahn and COmpany (AKA Resistence) going up againts Archadia (Evil Empire) who some how thinks Mist of all things which fuels his all mighty and powerful Airship "Bahamut" (Which is a totally Original Name) is going to get him power to rule an entire world. Sorry, But that sounds a little bit more weaker then Sephiroth who summons a Meteor to create a wound in the planet causing the lifestream to all go into one place so he can be reborn as a New God and rule over the souls of the whole universe (Also, FFVII's main Theme was that of Nature and how we need to do as much as we can to preserve out earth, which explains a Group of Mercs going up against a Huge Corporation that is destroying the planet with its heavy pollution and an even bigger foe that just wants to watch the world and planet suffer, The theme which is also explained in greater further detail in the extras for Advent Children movie.)

  • Aero5555

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 11:22 pm PT

    I just heard Leona's song "My Hands", and my reaction is "WTF???", it has nothing to do with fantasy or anything, just a generic ballad or whatever the heck they call them.

    It's insult enough that she ruined Snow Patrol's classic (in my personal opinion), why'd they choose her song is beyond me. Seriously WTF?????

  • Space_Lion

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 10:51 pm PT

    @texasgoldrush, I agree about VII's story. Anyone who's played VI can easily see that VII's story is a knock off of it.

    Oh, pic related. http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y58/yankeeboy1865/1251457659724.png

  • comachrissie

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 10:47 pm PT

    I didn't really finish FF12, it wasn't for me, but I'm a big fan of the series from 7 onwards. Really excited to grab this next year and try XIV online whenever that comes out. I hadn't been following dates too closely so March is a nice early surprise.

  • neno2480

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 10:34 pm PT

    @texasgoldrush.

    I'll give you 7 as not completely original but a lot of it is original. The full on backstory is of course original. About Jenova and ancients. To say that 12 had a better story...? No way. 12 was a complete bore. All these politics flashing around and I hated it. Now, 7 was the first FF I ever played but I am by no means a fanboy of it. Personal opinion? The order is something like this: 6, 4, 7, 9, 3, and the rest are in a backlot somewhere because I can care less about them 8, 10, and 12 were the worst of the series IMO and that is not in any order.. I hate them all equally. lol.

  • texasgoldrush

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 8:36 pm PT

    "@ texasgoldrush

    Wow, If you think 12 is better then VII, then you truly know nothing about good roleplaying games and stories."

    XII has a better story than VII...its Ito's (Matsuno left the project) weakest story, and the executives meddled and made Vaan the main character instead of Basch, who would have been more fitting (or Ashe). But the story was pretty good. It wasn't flashy like VII, VIII, and X, but it had substance.

    VII's story is grossly overrated. Not only does the narrative completely fall apart after Midgar (as like the game doesn't know what its main theme is anymore), it has the worst character cast in the series with many useless characters. Also, it rips off FFVI in its story structure...lets see a band of rebels (Returners, Avalanche) fight an evil organization (Empire, Shin Ra), who create a monster (Kefka, Sephiroth) that turns on those who created him and becomes an even bigger threat. Meanwhile an amnesic hero who worked for the evil organization (Terra, Cloud) must fight against this monster who ends up becoming an angel at the end of the game. Its really unoriginal. Basically, its a cyberpunk FFVI that isn't as well executed.

  • texasgoldrush

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 8:07 pm PT

    "lol.. Funny to hear people say FF7 is not even top 3. Not only is FF7 top 3 in Final Fantasies, its Top 3 in best games ever. Dont want to mention names but.. someone had posted that if you think FF7 is better than 12 than ps1 was my first console and FF7 was their first one. lol.. thats false. Put FF7 against any game out there in a poll and the only game that will beat it is Zelda Ocarina of time. Its been done before"

    Take a look at IGN's Readers Top 100 Best Game Ever poll in 2008..........

    FFVII came in 30th.........compared to Chrono Trigger which was 2nd (Ocarina of Time was 1st) and FFVI was 14th.

    Its fitting that FFVI is the only FF game in IGN's Video Game Hall of Fame other than the first FF. VII is eligible but has not been voted in.

    Honestly the top three FF's are VI, Tactics, and IV.

  • Fusion_Master

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 7:45 pm PT

    this is going to be an incredible game. hamauzu is a fantastic musical composer, whilst final fantasy 7 and final fantasy 10, whose creative minds are behind this game, arguably created those 2 fantasys as the best in the series to date.

  • Xtatic324

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 6:40 pm PT

    lol.. Funny to hear people say FF7 is not even top 3. Not only is FF7 top 3 in Final Fantasies, its Top 3 in best games ever. Dont want to mention names but.. someone had posted that if you think FF7 is better than 12 than ps1 was my first console and FF7 was their first one. lol.. thats false. Put FF7 against any game out there in a poll and the only game that will beat it is Zelda Ocarina of time. Its been done before

  • jellyBEANz1

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 4:52 pm PT

    I'm confused as to why American, English as a native language individuals are still complaining about the theme song not being in Japanese. Seriously, get over yourselves. For those complaining about the song choice in general, take a minute and convert the lyrics to any of the previous theme songs. Have any of you ever even noticed the theme song in any of the previous final fantasies? To this point I only knew there was one, the one in X-2 because they made a huge deal about it. I find it hilarious some of these responses make it sound like they know for a fact that the song is going to be playing during every battle, and every cut scene, when you open the main menu even. Christ, it will most likely be so well integrated you won't even remember what you were complaining about; this game did take 4(?) years to design.

    As for those responding to my post about X being as good as or greater than the previous games, I stand by it. And XII was alright, just despised the fact that I (being Vaan) had no purpose whatsoever in following Ashe, and was simply along for the ride. I also still don't get the hate for X-2, aside from the girly story it had a phenomenal battle/skill system. I put more time into maxing that game out than all the PS1 games.

  • BaLLz_ON_FiRE

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 3:04 pm PT

    GOT MILK ?!

  • Tauu

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 3:04 pm PT

    I'll buy this game, but I'm turning the volume off when the Leona Lewis song comes on.

  • Dragonblade01

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    Wow, I can't believe all the hate for XII. It had a great story, great music, great characters, and great gameplay. I swear, most FF fans just seem to snap if it's not quite the same as the rest of the games.

  • TerraKore

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 2:37 pm PT

    Celeste- I'm going to make this clear, FF have always been about the plot, characters, musical score, and SquareSOFT's ability to mold multiple mythologies into a game while at the same time having a fun and balanced battle system. FF12 was without most of these things. The gambit system was simplistic, a good idea, but once you had it set up correctly the game played itself. The reason people say FF7 is the best is because it drew on adult situations, a gritty atmosphere, an amazing musical score and characters that were in depth. Graphics and new battle systems doesn't mean jack @#@# if the plot and characters have no soul. Truthfully the Square Enix team needs to stop calling these games "Final Fantasy" for drawing in previous fans. The series died when most of the original, and innovative, staff left the company. As for the next wave (FF13), i will reserve judgment until it comes out, though i will be renting it, FF12 disappointed me way too much.

  • Scarshi

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 2:25 pm PT

    Final Fantasy VII set the standard because of the change to 3D. It was my first love. Since then Final Fantasy has gone through various changes to the battle and graphic system, along with new characters and references to the old ones. Doesn't matter which FF was your favorite, as they all have the same amazing deep stories. Forget fancy packaging ... does the game "move" you? Why do you think there are now 13 Final Fantasies?

    Final Fantasy VII I still play on my PSP. I have and will play many games through my life, but only Final Fantasy VII I can say I have come back to for over 10 years since release on PS1. Its not the best graphics anymore, however, it reminds me of what gaming is all about. That's important to why I'm a gamer.

  • CharlieFubar

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 2:02 pm PT

    @-Celeste- FF1 was better than 12... 12 was an mmo without the mmo part.... i bet your first ff was 12 and when you played 7 it was too hard because u had to work for what u got...

  • tyco_ex

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 1:54 pm PT

    FF7 is good but 8 is my favorite Final Fantasy. Imo they go like this:

    8, 10, 7, 9, ect.

    I haven't played many of the older ones though.

  • -Celeste-

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 1:46 pm PT

    FF 7 was in no way better then 12. Hell, FF7 isn't no where near the top 3 of the best FF games out there. If you think 7 is near the top, then chances are 7 was your first FF game and your first console was in the PS generation.

  • ahnariprellik

    Posted Nov 16, 2009 1:42 pm PT

    @ neno 2480: well i think i got mine from best buy, maybe they had a bundle deal going. all i know is my 360 came with one controller, two batt parks (one rechargable and one requiring AA batteries), and then i bought the plug and play kit separately... however either way i dont see it as a problem since i play both my 360 and my ps3 with the controllers plugged in so i dont have to worry about them dieing on me in the middle of a game.

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