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Square-Enix Returns to Windows

Posted on Thursday 26th February 2009 at 14:17 by Rangers51
Windows
For a brief run in the late 1990's, in case you somehow were not aware, Squaresoft partnered with Eidos to release a couple games for Windows 98. These two games, of course, were the two smash hits Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII. Of course, back then it was pretty hard to future-proof games like those, so once Windows XP became the dominant OS in the Windows world, a lot of people gave up on making the games work and as such they've been largely relegated to the bin. Since then, Square-Enix has largely turned a blind eye to the platform; while FFIX, FFX, FFXII, and other games from the stable could have been ported to Windows such as the earlier games were, the only Squenix game that's made it to the desktop has been the MMO Final Fantasy XI and its expansions.

Backstory aside, all that is due to change as of the last week of March. That is the day that Square returns to the PC gaming world by releasing The Last Remnant for the Windows platform, first in retail stores in the EU, followed by the same in the US, followed by Japan on April 9. And, in case you don't feel like dragging yourself to the shops, don't fret - part of this return to Windows includes a release on Steam, also on April 9, marking the first time that these two titans of gaming will work together (though hopefully not the last).

What does this mean, exactly? Well, really, it might not mean that much in practice, but there could be several outcomes. First, of course, is that the game tanks or is severely buggy on Windows, driving down sales and ending this new digital distribution strategy before it gets off the ground. However, it could also with success be another hit against the Playstation 3, giving Square-Enix another Microsoft-backed gaming platform on which to release its games. Finally, let's not forget that Squenix actually owns Eidos now, which in theory would pave the way for a prepatched re-release of both of the previous Final Fantasy PC games, give a leg up in producing more ports of other games from the massive library of S-E games, or even lead to a Games for Windows version of Final Fantasy XIII. For those gamers like me who find a new Windows rig every couple years to be a far better investment than a gaming console, the hopes are high.

Sources:
CVG

Wikipedia

Valve/Steam
Posted in: Square-Enix News

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Written by
Rangers51

Comments

NealComment 1: 2009-02-26 15:09
Neal If Square-Enix ported FF13 to Windows, it would mean I wouldn't have to buy a PS3 OR an XBox 360. Mmmm.

Also, Tiddles always had a theory that people would most likely go for roman numerals when referring to FF games, unless it was shorter to use numbers. It appears I fit this mold.
Rangers51Comment 2: 2009-02-26 16:20
Rangers51
Quote (Neal @ 26th February 2009 10:09)
Also, Tiddles always had a theory that people would most likely go for roman numerals when referring to FF games, unless it was shorter to use numbers. It appears I fit this mold.

Along those same lines, I had to really think about what I was writing to make this thread look right. biggrin.gif
sweetdudeComment 3: 2009-02-26 16:36
sweetdude Is an F13 not a military fighter plane of same kind? When I see FF13 I just think of that instead. FFXIII seems more natural. We see roman numerals in the first few pages of books so XIV, XIII etc reads off a lot more nicely IMO.

I'm mostly dedicated to console games, but it's still good to know that Square-Enix is branching out. I find it really difficult to get involved in RPGs on a laptop or desktop. There's something about sitting on in an armchair or on a sofa that makes them easier to play. For me, PCs are for RTS like Starcraft and Warcraft. I can't get into MMOs or the aforementioned FFVII and VIII on PC because it's just not comfortable enough. It feels more like work than play, if that makes sense.

FF on Steam? That's strange.
Glenn Magus HarveyComment 4: 2009-02-26 20:59
Glenn Magus Harvey
Quote
That is the day that Square returns to the PC gaming world by releasing The Last Remnant for the Windows platform, first in retail stores in the EU, followed by the same in the US, followed by Japan on April 9.


I feel uneducated, but is The Last Remnant the subtitle for FFXIII or something?
Death PenaltyComment 5: 2009-02-27 01:01
Death Penalty
Quote (Glenn Magus Harvey @ 26th February 2009 20:59)
I feel uneducated, but is The Last Remnant the subtitle for FFXIII or something?

Nope. The Last Remnant is a squenix game for 360 and (eventually) PS3, but it is not at all a final fantasy. The 360 version is already out. I'm not exactly sure about it, but I know that there are these ancient ruins, aka remnants, that play some role in the story. There's a big bad evil guy called the conquerer, and he kidnapped the main character's sister.
yelanatesComment 6: 2009-02-27 19:46
yelanates I don't have a PS3 yet, but I would totally be interested in playing Last Remnant on my PC. Awesome!
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