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The Playstation Network, or PSN, is getting a release that many people here may find interesting. Square-Enix, to celebrate the fact that their Twitter acheived 20,000 followers, is releasing Chrono Cross on the PSN. Here's the catch - it's only in Japan. There's been no confirmed release Stateside, but they probably won't be able to keep that away for too long. Chrono Cross, the sequel to Chrono Trigger (which CoN covers!), was last released on the PSX in 2000, and now is available mostly to old game collectors and emulators. This should open what many agree is a great game to the public again.

And, hey, this is perfect for me. I just finished Chrono Trigger (much to the amusement of CoNchat, until recently I'd only ever played FF7. I'm looking at you, DP). I've also heard some really good things about Chrono Cross, but also that you either love it or you hate it. So, when CC does eventually get released in the States, I imagine anyone who played Chrono Trigger on the DS will be snapping this one up too. You heard it here first!

Source: RPGamer, US Playstation Network

If the title doesn't quite grammatically add up for you, it isn't my fault. That's the currently-official title for what was previously known as the Fabula Nova Crystalis press conference.

The newly-named press event has a new date as well: January 18th, which is seven days later than the original. The name change most likely reflects the content of the event, which, from the beginning, was never going to be simply restricted to games falling under the Fabula Nova Crystalis banner. It seems to be Nomura's party, so we'll likely see whatever else he's up to (Dissidia, Kingdom Hearts 3D).

In addition, the event will now be open to fans. It's in Japan, of course, so that doesn't really have any importance to most of us. Since I have a sneaking suspicion that R51 won't pay for my flight over there to check it out first hand, I'll just keep posting details as I hear them.

Source: IGN, 1st Production Department Premier Site

Okay, readers, let's be honest. The majority of us have played Final Fantasy IV. A decent number of us have played it on more than one system. What with the SNES version, PSX, GBA, DS and Wii, that's five different ways to play! I know what you're thinking right now. "Only five? That's pathetic! Final Fantasy I has been released on at least SIX different platforms!" And you would be correct. Square-Enix, apparently realising this, have decided to bring four up to six. By that I mean, bring Final Fantasy IV up to six platforms, and not.... you know what, never mind.

So, my friends, here's the deal. Final Fantasy IV is coming to a PSP near you. HUZZAH! It'll be coming with Super-Turbo-HD graphics, in the same vein as the Final Fantasy I and II remakes from a few years ago and NOT the 3D graphics from the DS remake. No specific release date as of yet, only "Next Spring". That's quite close.

But that's not all. Remember the sequel to Final Fantasy IV, titled "The After Years"? It was originally released on mobile phones, and then released in installments on the Wii Shop Channel. This sequel will come included in the game with the same graphical enhancements. Booya. It is not clear yet whether the sequel includes all of the episodes with it, but one assumes that that would be the only way to go.

Some people might sigh, seeing this game remade for the forty-fifth time (see linked article), but 4 is one of the games that I never really get bored of. Now I'm going to have to find one of my copies of Final Fantasy IV and play it again. Squee.

Source: Kotaku

Oh shoot, I accidentally said everything in the title.

Unsurprisingly, Square Enix has delayed the PS3 release of Final Fantasy XIV. Yoichi Wada, the company's President and CEO, said the following: "We deeply regret that the game has yet to achieve the level of enjoyability that Final Fantasy fans have come to expect from the franchise." He did not, however, explain why a lack of enjoyability did not prevent the company from releasing the PC version. In addition to all the work being done to improve the PC edition, the team responsible for the game is being restructured. The hope is to release a fully updated game that takes into account all of the "improvements we have planned." Looks like you'll have to wait until after the originally-planned March 2011 release date. If you were waiting in the first place, of course.

The Mindjack news is actually quite interesting. It seems that a few people have gotten the chance to test the game's combat system, and the report is relatively favorable. While there are a few complaints with some of the basic combat controls, it appears that the 'hacking' system on which the game is based was done quite well. The host player can take control of fallen foes, drones and enemy combatants. In addition, outside players (called hackers) can enter the game as data clouds and hack the minds of enemy combatants in order to assist the host player. With all these options, players can do a lot of mind-hopping, which should make for a fast-paced, unique combat atmosphere.

Source: IGN, IGN