Square Enix has launched the official North American website of Final Fantasy IV. It’s empty for now, but at least you can kick back and enjoy the wonderful Theme of Love that’s playing in the background.

» Go to: Official FFIV NA website

Source: Forever Fantasy.

Square Enix has officially announced that Final Fantasy IV will be released in Europe during the Summer. Here’s a snippet from the press release: “Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces that FINAL FANTASY® IV will be released across PAL territories in Summer 2008 exclusively on the Nintendo DS™ system.”

Source: Forever-Fantasy.

Square Enix has confirmed the recent rumors and announced they are bringing Final Fantasy IV’s Nintendo DS remake to North America on July 22, 2008. The story, for those unfamiliar with the game: “Four elemental Crystals, each possessing awesome power, lie scattered throughout the realm. However, men are quick to covet things which offer strength, and easily corrupted by the might which they possess…

Seduced by the promised power of the Crystals, the kingdom of Baron begins employing unprovoked force to seize them from peaceful nations. The dark knight Cecil – Lord Captain of Baron’s elite force, the Red Wings – is ordered by his king to obtain the Crystals, but soon begins to question the monarch’s motives. Stricken with grief at his own actions, yet burdened by his loyalty to his country and his personal sense of honor, Cecil at last decides to turn from the path of darkness and destruction.

Enraged, the king accuses him of disloyalty, strips Cecil of his command, and sends him off to slay a mysterious beast that lurks in the nearby Valley of Mist. Cecil embarks on a fateful journey that will bring trials, betrayals, friendship, loss and self-discovery. Can Cecil open his eyes and become the man of honor that he must be?”

Source: Forever-Fantasy.

The full Final Fantasy IV interview that was published in Nintendo Power’s May issue has surfaced online. It features many new details regarding the Nintendo DS remake, and Takashi Tokita, director of the original Final Fantasy IV, reveals that he is working on a new project: “I’m currently working on an unannounced title that’s being developed on a scale no different than that of the original FF4, and I hope North American gamers will give it a try.”

- This is by far the most difficult version of Final Fantasy IV.
- Useless abilities from the original version (Cry, Pray, etc) have been changed significantly to make them more useful.
- The team has addressed every criticism of the Final Fantasy III remake: More detailed character, loading times, wider set of abilities, etc.
- Bosses were all rebalanced, so people who played the older versions won’t be able to use “tricks” to beat them easily.
- New auto-battle system: You assign a single action for each character and they repeatedly carry out that move.
- Lunar Ruins from FFIV Advance is not included, however a New Game+ mode with additional augments and new optional bosses has been added.
- Summons are called Eidolons, as a tribute to Final Fantasy IX fans.
- Confirmed: Only 25% of the original story was used due to space limitations.
- Asano thinks creating old-school RPG’s with present-day technology is going well, and Square Enix shouldn’t limit themselves to just remakes.

Source: Final Fantasy

Nintendo Power’s May issue includes the release date of Final Fantasy IV: According to the magazine the game is scheduled for release in North America sometime in July. No specific date has been given as of yet.

Source: Final Fantasy

The latest issue of Nintendo Power features a ten page exclusive on Final Fantasy IV. While the magazine doesn’t really confirm the game is headed towards North America (or gives us a release date), the ten pages are filled with English screenshots of the game. If that’s not a huge hint, what is? We’ll make sure to get those screenshots as soon as possible!

Source: Forever-Fantasy.