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Square Enix announces Song Summoner, an RPG for your iPod

3:56 PM on 07.08.2008, Colette Bennett 26 comments

     Mobile gaming

Do I want to play games on a phone, MP3 player or digitized flat screen installed on the inside of my eyelid? As tempting as the last one may be to some, all three are unappealing to this gamer, who prefers to do it the old-fashioned way -- with a controller, a giant television and a weekend to fritter away. If you like the idea of portable gaming (not to mention portable RPGs), however, this news ought to sit well with you.

Square Enix have announced their first RPG for the iPod, Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes. The title is exclusive to the iPod and takes an unusual approach to the usual grind and adventure -- the game uses your player's songs and makes "Tune Troopers" with them, which can then be used in battles. You can also level the troopers up by listening to the same song you created them with. A pretty creative approach, to say the least!

The game comes out today on iTunes and can be downloaded for $4.99. I have to admit, I'm curious despite my aversion to gaming on an iPod, as the concept is pretty unique. Also, any kind of gaming can seem appealing when you are trapped on an airplane for five hours (and you all know this happens more frequently than I would like). Yay or nay to iPod gaming, Dtoiders?

[Via Joystiq -- Thanks, Brian]


Next page: More Squenix stories




SnakeDude4Life's Avatar
SnakeDude4Life at 07/08/2008 15:56
Does not work for iPhone or iTouch.

@galagabug
Monster Rancher?
JynxShot's Avatar
JynxShot at 07/08/2008 15:57
I'd buy that in a heartbeat, but I have a Zune.
Guess I'll stick to Crisis Core and Disgaea on my PSP.
riomccarthy's Avatar
riomccarthy at 07/08/2008 15:58
This would be absolutely awesome and I'd own it immediately but apparently paying $400 for an iPod isn't enough and they decided we didn't need the game on the iPod Touch. :( I'm a sad panda...
jackal27's Avatar
jackal27 at 07/08/2008 16:02
Where the heck did this noise come from? I do want to play this, but it looks iffy... Still 4.99? Might be worth it.

It looks like Monster Rancher: Sqeenix Edition
sleepingagain's Avatar
sleepingagain at 07/08/2008 16:03
oh snap, this might be fun
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 07/08/2008 16:13
Oh wow, can I summon Smoke Two Joints by Sublime? Wait, he'd probably be useless
Tubatic's Avatar
Tubatic at 07/08/2008 16:27
I got it last night and have been picking at it ever since. I'm thinking about reviewing it once I get farther into it. Quick Pro/Cons for ya:

Pros:
- Good depth of story and gameplay (new play aspects are introduced as you go, just enough skills to not swamp you, no one has amnesia)
- A tangible reward for listening to obscure songs on your iPod (You get points for actual play counts on character songs)
- Easy Controls that work surprisingly well for Turn-Based Strategy (I want X-Com for iPod)
- Solid in-game soundtrack (not stellar, but not too shabby)

Cons:
- Major drain on battery power
- Music created characters don't retain visual connection to their songs (Its not like you get a dude named "Smoke Two Joints", though the song is still connected to that character for Play Count points)
Docherty's Avatar
Docherty at 07/08/2008 16:37
Huh, Biggie Smalls was ineffective~
mister1337's Avatar
mister1337 at 07/08/2008 16:39
Great game. Finally someone made a worth while game for iPod. Sort of a Final Fantasy Tactics to go. Graphics are quite impressive for the iPod.
Batthink's Avatar
Batthink at 07/08/2008 16:51
The only reason I'd want an Ipod now, funnily. :O)
Funkiller's Avatar
Funkiller at 07/08/2008 16:55
Noice. Since they are 'Tune Troopers' you should get some sort of crazy limit break for having an entire party of Piece of Mind songs.
Wexx's Avatar
Wexx at 07/08/2008 16:59
It would've been a cool idea if it wasn't on an ipod. Now I have to sell my soul to mac to try it. No thanks.
Batthink's Avatar
Batthink at 07/08/2008 17:03
Also, oversized video is oversized video.

And I hope I get a really hyper-leveled character if I play 'The Power Is On' by The Go! Team. :OD
garrfunkel's Avatar
garrfunkel at 07/08/2008 17:15
If I eventually get an Ipod I might just get this to see what its like. Sounds kinda fun.
MechaMonkey's Avatar
MechaMonkey at 07/08/2008 18:37
In before iRPG.
Slick Icarus's Avatar
Slick Icarus at 07/08/2008 19:32
I'll probably get it. I carry my iPod around with me everywhere, and this and Peggle will keep me busy. Still, wanna see what songs like Debaser and Rape Me get.
topgeargorilla's Avatar
topgeargorilla at 07/08/2008 21:13
I posted this last night. I should get a cookie, Collette, even if it's an imaginary internet cookie.
Fleet3000's Avatar
Fleet3000 at 07/08/2008 22:13
i'll... wait until i see a review of some kind.
MPHtails's Avatar
MPHtails at 07/09/2008 02:08
You want to kill your enemies? Play Freebird.

No Stairway, though.
Rockefellow's Avatar
Rockefellow at 07/09/2008 02:21
This seems cool, I guess.

...But I'm glad I still have my soul as well, Wexx!

Then again, my Archos 605 isn't the coolest thing on the block, either.
Kurtz's Avatar
Kurtz at 07/09/2008 04:20
Awesome, downloading... I never thought about it, but actually jrpgs are one of the really few game types on which the ipod interface is kind of acceptable.

(@Mechamonkey iRPGS, I would copyright that :))

Thanks for the info Colette !
specter620's Avatar
specter620 at 07/09/2008 09:03
It's no longer listening to the same shitty song on repeat.

Now it's called grinding.
groebo's Avatar
groebo at 07/09/2008 09:42
getting it now... battery life is now that much worse but i believe this will come in very handy while stuck at the airport... besides i always carry the real video player... (pets archos w/ ext. battery pack)
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