As Square Enix continues to develop its upcoming multi-release cash cow, some new images and not-so new details have surfaced of both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Secured from the denizens of NeoGAF, we now bring you the newest information to arise from Square's latest dabbling in androgynous mayhem.
The magazine from which the scans are taken have some translated plot details, but it's nothing that followers of the title won't know already, as it talks about the floating city of Cocoon that has already been discussed by Squeenix in the past:
Built by a great entity, it is a society floating in the sky, enclosed in a "shell" -- Cocoon. It flourishes, protected by the great machines and living creatures invented by the Crystal.
The inhabitants of Cocoon, in a long period of tranquility, fear infection from the outside. Outside the shell, an underworld -- Pulse's entity awakens. Fearing this faceless invader, people begin to suspect one another, and hatred takes root.
Cocoon's government, wishing for stability, takes emergency measures. They arrest large numbers of citizens who were suspected of being "infected from the outside", and announced that they would be compelled to migrate to the underworld "Pulse". In reality, it meant banishment, but the fate which awaited them was even more cruel than that...
The crystal, a symbol of harmony, chose a person to whom to entrust destiny and lead the world.
She was chosen.
As the enemy of mankind, which ruins the world.
That's all dramatic and interesting, I'm sure, but look at the CLOWN DOG! Since it's on a page with Ifrit and Shiva, I wonder if he's a new Carbuncle (the green around his face and the red jewel on his head makes me think of the cute healing summon). Either way, he's bloody adorable, that's for damn sure. On the strength of one picture of an animal wearing a ruff, I declare FFXIII and all its presumptuous spin-offs a success.
[Mini-update: Atheistium has stated that the text indeed calls the dog Carbuncle. Score one for Matlockery!]
Well the Japanese on the picture does indeed say Carbuncle. ^^;
Also: oh man now I gotta buy a PS3
Oh dang, Siren looks amazing :O (pictured under Ifrit)
Totally disturbing. Androgynous mayhem indeed.
Poor Carbuncle. D:
Awesome scans.. got some new characters shown
damn i want these games BAAAAD
I can only hope that each of these beautiful summons is five minutes long and totally unskippable.
well SE finally has butchered Carbuncle... but you gotta admit, those graphics look totally badass. Ifrit's Pyrotechnics are killer, you can tell SE is trying to unleash all the details they can from the PS3.
Butchered? They have only improved.
People -- it's a CLOWN DOG in a RUFF!
I don't want to sound cool or anything but as soon as I saw the picture I noticed it was carbuncle! I dont know apanese but the jewel, the green ish/marine blue colour AANNNDDD something some people didnt notice the EARS! Coming out of the golden jewels are his big trademark ears! Even if it looks stupid I think we will see better summons to make up for it :P Never liked carbuncle that much anyway.
Score another for Matlockery! We are wise to your ways, Squeenix!
hmmmm.......... honestly i don't know how to comment this, i have mixed feeling for FFXIII project.
No way those are in-game. I have a PS3, and I don't believe it.
The graphics whore in me wants these CGI cutscenes!
There's no such thing as "in-game" in a Squeenix game. It's all CGI, all the time, 24/7!
I agree with Jim.
@timtheterrible of course they are not.
However this is.
is that a real dog
Just amazing...
How many different animals has carbuncle been?
Lightning is hot, and that red-headed girl is UBER hot... but FF is dead to me. =(
If Kefka was a dog...
Mostly the screens look good, but I'll admit that dog looks pretty stupid IMO.
Looks OMG amazing. I'm almost glad it's so far away since it would force me to find a way to buy a PS3.
..THAT is the ever-so-cute Carbuncle?! FAIL. Jesus christ who the hell came up with half of these ideas.
DO NOT WANT....the dog that is.
And what is this FFXIII agito?
There's a man with brown hair who looks just like the man with gray hair! What if they're the same person?!
Carbuncle has always been Fail. Ifrit is looking awesome though.
Shut up, Carbuncle is awesome.
You guys just don't appreciate dog clowns enough.
Seriously, I really like Carbuncle. You guys can suck it. :P
This Carbuncle beats the shit out of the ugly ass "cutesy" Ryo-oki thing in previous games. It's a FUCKIN' CLOWN DOG, PEOPLE!! THE CIRCUS HAS COME TO TOWN!! :D
hmm, maybe it's the translation, but that storyline sounds like it was concocted by a fantasy obsessed eighth grader in study hall.
mystical crystal AGAIN? try somethin new ffs!
Wow, if those are in game SS, that is one dam good looking game
Good Lord! Shiva is a motorcycle and Carbunkle is a stupid clown dog. I can't wait until they reveal that Bahumut is actually a pair of socks. Please wake me up when some non CGI images come out.
Clowns are frightening and unknowable.
Does this also hold true for clown dogs?
Dog carbuncle? Really? So weird.
Mmm, pretty pictures. :3
Oh, jeeze, didn't mean to flood the room with my spittle.
And, yeah, let's hope for no crystals, or at least very few, for XIV.
Why god why. I ask for an M-rated FF and they give me a clown dog. Why is life so cruel.
I'm with you, Jim: Dog Carbuncle is awesome. :)
I can't wait for these games. Maybe Carbuncle will be useful this time around.
@ VWGTI
three words: not. bloody. likely.
can't... get... excited. game... not out... until 2009...
That thing is quite cute. A little on the scary side though... Like Hindu art...
Clowns are scary, but Clown Dogs rock major socks.
As for FFXIII: Meh. From the character designs I've seen already, it looks way too FF8. Do not want.
@Im OK
The first thing that came to mind with the pic in the link you posted is the megaman 1 box art:
Going to be great when the game is released and you see these idiots on Springer/Jeremy Kyle who have phobias of Clowns not being able to complete the game cos they're so scared of Carbuncle.
The Japanese sure do use a lot of exclamation marks.
Clown dogs for the win!