Final Fantasy Brigade announced for mobile phones in Japan

With Final Fantasy XIII-2 on the horizon in the next few weeks in Japan, gamers who still demand a portable role-playing game fix can look forward to Square Enix's next venture. The company, together with Japanese social network operator DeNA, unveiled its latest collaboration in social gaming titled Final Fantasy Brigade.

According to Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada (via 4Gamer), the RPG will feature battles that are reminiscent of past 2D Final Fantasy games. Players will have to team up with other players to gain experience by fighting monsters and rival airships while building up an armada. Gamers can also use existing Final Fantasy characters as assists, like Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII. The game's art style will be the same as the one used in Theatrhythm Final Fantasy on the 3DS.

Beta testing for the game will start in the middle of December on the Mobage social gaming platform. The game will be available in late December for selected phones in Japan. A smartphone and Web version will arrive shortly for download. An English version has yet to be announced.

This isn't the first time Square Enix has been busy on social network platforms and mobile phones. Knights of the Crystal was a social game on Facebook that bears Final Fantasy characteristics, while Before Crisis - Final Fantasy VII - came out in 2004.