E3 2003: Square Enix's Line-Up

Square Enix's line-up at E3 consists of some quality new role playing games - loads of them. Get the details inside.

Square Enix has announced its E3 lineup across multiple gaming platforms. Making its first E3 appearance since the recent merger between Square and Enix, Square Enix U.S.A. is poised to take role-playing games to the next level with a variety of innovative titles.

The new company aims to continue its efforts to elevate the popularity of RPGs worldwide. Perpahs most notably, the highly anticipated Final Fantasy XI, the company's first venture into online gaming, will make its North American debut for PS2 and PC. Here's the full list:

Final Fantasy XI (PS2, PC) - Square's first MMORPG and latest installment for the world-renowned series. FFXI is a cross-platform, cross-continent MMORPG, allowing players to connect to the same exact world whether they are playing on a PlayStation 2 or a PC. The title showcases the same award-winning visual content, innovative game play and emotional storyline that has made the series so popular (selling over 44 million units worldwide to date). Players will be able to unite in the world of "Vana'diel" where they can create characters choosing from a variety of races, facial features, size, hair styles and colors, play at their own pace, form parties with other players and embark on multiple adventures through vast environments. The game features an original story that includes quests and boss battles. Various communications tools are there to assist communication between players, including easy-to-learn chat and messaging systems.

Unlimited Saga (PS2) - The first title in the legendary series for the PlayStation 2, elevates the genre to new heights with eclectic art styles and sophisticated game play structure. The story is uniquely told and played through the eyes of seven different protagonists, each with their own motivations for seeking the seven grand menaces. Each protagonist follows their enemy to the Seven Wonders, a group of structures shrouded in mystery. However, they are not aware that the antagonists are seeking to obtain the power of the Seven Wonders for their own incentives. "Free Scenario" and "Map Movement" systems provide the most open-ended adventure possible and allowing players to focus on the core of the RPG experience: Discovery and Growth. Also included are a unique character development system, breathtaking hand-illustrated visuals, as well as a new form of animation named "Sketch Motion."

Final Fantasy X-2 (PS2) - The first sequel in the long respected series. This sequel keeps the familiar environment fresh with the inclusion of a newly created battle system. The first female-led game in the series, it combines an experience that is both light-hearted and melancholy fueled by a tragic story of unrequited love and dark secrets. Two years after Yuna's fateful journey to defeat Sin in FFX, the once chaotic world of Spira has gone through a massive transformation, entering a period of "Eternal Calm." Despite the Calm, Yuna's heart is empty and longs for her lost friends. When she obtains a mystical sphere that contains imagery of what might be the Blitzball player she thought was gone forever, Yuna is driven to seek the truth behind what she has seen. Incorporating a completely revamped battle system, new job classes, diverse looks for the leading female characters, renovated maps and enhanced character development systems, X-2 promises to deliver a fresh new look.

Star Ocean: Till the End of Time (PS2) - The first title in the science-fiction RPG series for the PlayStation 2. Building on the first-rate concepts of its prequels, Star Ocean features gorgeous cinematic sequences and a real-time battle system. Set in 772 (space calendar), four hundred years after the battle with the "Ten Wise Men," players follow protagonist Fate Linegod in his quest to find his loved ones after a sudden attack on the resort planet of Hida by an unknown space military. The advanced real-time battle system allows for players to move freely around the 3D field as well as choose which of the three party members they want to control. Fully polygonal graphics create a spectacular, detailed world that can now be explored in detail.

Drakengard (PS2) - Cast in a chaotic world of dragon pacts and warfare, Drakengard combines unique action RPG elements into a profoundly tragic saga, and is developed by team members from blockbuster titles such as Resident Evil Code: Veronica. It tells the tale of love, lore, sacrifice and obligation focusing on the main character Kyme, his sister Friae, and her fiance and Kyme's childhood friend, Yuvalt. Players will be in for a thrilling ride as they battle on land and in the skies. Not only will the player's attributes evolve throughout the game, his contracted dragon will also mature as the game progresses, changing in appearance and abilities.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (GameCube / GBA) - The first title in the popular franchise for GameCube. Elements of the traditional single-player RPG have been adapted for the Cube, allowing for up to four-player simultaneous play. In an innovative new interface, the Game Boy Advance acts as each player's controller, displaying his or her personal information and hiding it from other players. Players advance through the adventure by communicating directly with each other, cooperating and making deals. Since there are obstacles that only certain party members can clear, cooperative play becomes crucial. The game will be published by Nintendo - but is showing at Square Enix's booth at the show.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (GBA) - The first FF title for GBA outside of Japan. Gamers can look forward to an open-ended job class creation system, the intense strategic battle and an exhilarating storyline. Players are thrust into the world of Ivalice, where they meet protagonist Marche and his friend, Mewt, who is struggling with family tragedies. After a snowball fight with school bullies, Mewt finds the book - Final Fantasy - and shares it with his friends. Looking to escape their dismal lives, they read it. However, something goes wrong and Ivalice is transformed into the world within the book. Thus Marche and friends begin their journey through the world. Players can also unite with other players and form a party using the GBA Game Link cable.

Sword of Mana (GBA) - The latest installment in the celebrated Mana series, Sword of Mana is the first game in the series to appear on GBA. Based on the storyline of Final Fantasy Adventure, Sword of Mana allows players to choose the role of hero or heroine. The player's choice changes his or her understanding of the story and relation to characters based on who is selected at the start of the game. With multiple possible experiences, replay value is high. In addition to the visual upgrade and moving story, strategic elements have been added to the adventure, including a diverse selection of weapons. Players can select the best weapon for particular enemies, or choose from new attacks and magic spells. The popular "Ring Command System" returns, allowing players to easily choose items, weapons or abilities in battles.

Stay tuned for our impressions of all Square Enix's titles this year.

John Gold