Recently, SQUARE ENIX andKoei Tecmo“STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN” jointly createdFinal Fantasy (Origin) released the PS5 trial version. Due to the previous launch barrier issue, Koei Tecmo announced that it would extend the playable date and simultaneously released the development team’s interview with the Japanese media Famitsu.
The following is the complete interview with Farmitone:
SQUARE ENIX held an online presentation “SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS SUMMERSHOWCASE” in conjunction with E3 2021. As the finale of the show is the orthodox action RPG created by SQUARE ENIX and Team NINJA of KOEI TECMO GAMES, depicting “STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN” with a dark world view that is very different from the current “FF”.
This work, which shows the brand new directionality of the “FF” series, has also been released as an experience version on PS5. This site urgently invites creative director Tetsuya Nomura, producer Fujiwara Hitoshi and director Daisuke Inoue to be interviewed in an attempt to uncover the mystery of this work. We invited three people to introduce the world view and combat system of “STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN”.
■Jack and others are completely opposite to the image of “Warrior of Light”! ?Their design and name also contain many secrets
──First of all, I would like to ask the title of this work: What is the meaning of “STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN”? Why is it clearly a dark world view, but there is PARADISE in the name! ? This contrast left a deep impression on me.
Nomura: This work is made with “FFI” as the theme, and the background setting is also based on “FFI”. The ending of “FFI” mentions the identity and origin of the protagonist “Warrior of Light”, and Jack and others are just like them. The main axis of this work is “Who are Jack and others? Are they “Warriors of Light”?” In this work, they are equivalent to “Strangers”. As for the paradise (PARADISE), it means “the land of the rescued”. The title of this title represents the gathering of “foreigners” like Jack in the paradise.
Inoue: “STRANGER OF PARADISE” means “a stranger in a paradise”, and it can also be interpreted as “a person who shouldn’t exist in the paradise”. I think this name is appropriate for the plot of the game.
──Foreigners…people who shouldn’t exist in Paradise…. Since this work is based on “FFI” as the theme, the representative story is not directly related to “FFI”?
Nomura: Yes, this work is not a continuation of “FFI”, but a brand new story with “FFI” as the theme. The content of the trial version is the chaos temple that will be challenged at the beginning of the game, and the plot is the same as in “FFI”.
──Speaking of “FFI”, the original setting was that Garland, who was defeated by the Warrior of Light, used the Temple of Chaos as a stronghold to “travel through time and space” several times, leading to constant reincarnation of battles. The character design of Jack and others will be modern Does style have anything to do with this setting?
Nomura: Mentioning that “FFI” does immediately associate a character image similar to a warrior of light, but as you said, if you are a player who knows the background setting of “FFI”, you should be able to guess how Jack and others designed it to look like this the reason. The initial equipment of Jack and others was just used to symbolize that they were not born in this world, and did not represent the character’s personality. Like other games that can freely change various equipment, it simply represents the most primitive state of the character.
──That’s how it is. This work also seems to have “Hack and Slash” (Hack and Slash, refers to the gameplay of defeating monsters in mazes and other places to obtain equipment or strengthening characters with experience points), so this is only the initial equipment on the premise that it will be changed later. .
Nomura: In addition, the principle of designing these characters is to be completely different from the impression given by the warriors of light against Garland in “FFI”, highlighting their unusual identities. Although Jack and others are carrying the mission of defeating Chaos,
But it must be felt that “they are not soldiers of light at all.”
──Do you want to create a feeling that is not like a hero?
Nomura: Yes, Jack’s appearance is designed solely for the needs of the story. In addition, the names of Jack and others also have special meanings, but they will be spoiled, so there is a chance to share them.
──The name also has meaning! ? I really think that these names are quite satisfactory for the “FF” that Mr. Nomura handled (laughs)
Nomura: Jack, Ash and Jed all have the same meaning.
■In addition to Jed and Yaxiu, there are other partners
──Speaking of which, there were a total of four Warriors of Light at the beginning. In addition to Jed and Ash, are there any other partners this time…?
Nomura: There are other partners.
──Oh oh!
Inoue: However, the team can only have up to three people, so you have to substitute before you can play.
──This main visual of Jack is also quite bloody, it is a dark style that has not appeared in “FF” so far.
Nomura: Because this picture is used on the leading website that was first exposed in this game, it pays special attention to the impact. Unlike the past “FF” series, this work has a higher rating (in Japan, it is recommended to play at the age of 17), and the image of the whole work is also very hard-line. This picture is based on white, the symbolic color of “FF”, coupled with the impressive red crystals in the game, and the blood sprayed from hacking and killing enemies, because this work is an “angry man’s story”, so It also showed dark feelings.
──”Become a Chaos One” on the throne of the Temple of Chaos (?), he… is not Garland! ?
Nomura: If you say this, it will be spoiled. Please be sure to play the official version yourself to uncover the truth.
■This is not a “soul-like game”, but a highly difficult action game that insists on maintaining the “FF” style
──So, next I want to ask questions about the combat system. The difficult action system of this work is indeed very suitable for this dark world view. When making a new “FF” work, will you start with the “story” or decide the “system” first?
Fujiwara: Before Nomura told me about the theme of “strategic location type”, and later decided to incorporate the hardcore story of the “angry man” that Nomura had conceived for a long time.
Inoue: Another reason is because we want to challenge the new work with the Team NINJA team of KOEI TECMO GAMES, which is co-developing the arcade version of “DISSIDIA FF”. Team NINJA is best at action games. In order to make full use of his experience, he chose the action RPG game type.
Nomura: In my conception, although this work is “FF”, by deliberately not naming it “FF”, but using the brand new name “STRANGER OF PARADISE”, to highlight that this is a maze of strategy The main action game. Later, Fujiwara and Inoue shaped it into the present shape, and I am very happy to retain some of the original ideas.
──It means this is a game that focuses on mazes? Since it was developed by Team NINJA, this work should include the advantages of “Nioh” and the elements that are only available in “FF”. What kind of persistence do you have for the “FF” style?
Inoue: The story development of this game will surprise players very much, but because it is an action game, we hope that players can play at a smooth rhythm, but it is also an RPG, so we also hope that players can clearly understand the plot, so we pay much attention to both Balance.
──Most of these high-difficulty action games don’t have too much storytelling, but the main screenwriter of this game is Mr. Kazusei Nojima, so the story is also biased towards the RPG “FF” style, isn’t it?
Inoue: Yes, the plot of this game takes a lot of weight.
──The “FF” series is still an RPG-based series. I think there will also be series players who are not good at action games. What is the degree of difficulty of this game?
Inoue: If the so-called “soul-like game” is completely made, the number of players who like this type of game is limited after all, so we combined with “FF” to lower the threshold of difficult action games. We hope that the difficulty of the action system of this work is at a level that makes more players feel “very interesting”, so the goal is not to make a “soul-like game”, but a “highly difficult action game.” Of course, we also hope that players who like action games can take this opportunity to get in touch with “FF”.
──Regarding the point of not making “soul-like games” but “highly difficult action games”, what are the specific points of attention?
Inoue: For example, to reduce the death penalty (the penalty for unable to fight), we and the Team NINJA development team have made countless attempts and corrections to make dodge, defense, soul shield and other harshly judged actions reach a balance that is easier to launch. In terms of difficulty setting, EASY difficulty also includes SAFETY mode. It is recommended that players who are not good at action games can start with this mode and gradually increase the difficulty after getting used to the operation. Regarding the difficulty setting, we expect to continue to adjust with the feedback of the trial version, and hope that everyone can actively provide comments.
──I played the demo version and fell into a bitter battle in the final battle with “Become a Chaosman”. When I finally figured out the suitable tactics and executed them successfully, I really felt the fulfillment and refreshment of “breaking through difficulties”.
Fujiwara: That is one of the great tastes of this work, and it is also the crystallization of the rich experience of the Team NINJA team.
──This game is not too simple. It may be difficult at first, but once you find out the tactics and execute them successfully most of the time, you will feel more and more fun. The balance of this part is really very good. clever. Also, because there are partners, you can sneak attacks when the enemy attacks your partners. It is also a very thankful design.
Inoue: In fact, some people in the development team suggested whether it would be better for Jack to fight alone, but since it is “FF”, we think we still have to form a team, so we chose the form of taking risks with our partners.
──Is it possible to give instructions to partners, or are there other nurturing elements?
Inoue: This should be discussed with the development team based on feedback from the trial version. At least the current plan is to cultivate and customize equipment, and the partners have their own specialties. For example, Jed is a thief, and Axiu is a monk. We also thought about letting other partners lock their targets, while the players themselves use magic attacks.
──In the trial version, Jack can be equipped with swords, clubs, and spears, and have their own corresponding occupations. In addition, what kinds of weapons are expected?
Inoue: There are eight kinds of weapons. The weapon types that did not appear in the demo version are sword, axe, fighting, dagger, and knife.
──Can only sticks use magic?
Inoue: No, magic can also be used with weapons such as swords. It can be imagined as a knight and a red devil priest.
──It is also a great feature to be able to freely switch between two custom combinations (combinations of occupations and equipment) during battle. How did you develop such a system?
Inoue: Being able to update equipment all the time is the biggest fun of the so-called “treasure game”. In order to match this kind of gameplay, a system for switching custom combinations is added. We hope that players can think about how to use the two professions by observing the types of enemies, surrounding conditions, and their own environment. Through this process of thinking about tactics, they can enjoy this new FINAL FANTASY action game.
──How many kinds of equipment are there?
Inoue: I guess I might ask, so I counted it first, but…I can only say a lot of things (laughs).
Nomura: I have counted but answered like this (laughs). The clothes are checked by me, and the quantity is very large.
──Can I change the outfit of my partner?
Inoue: Yes. If you have strong equipment that is not suitable for Jack, you can let your partner wear it. However, the types of equipment each character can equip are limited.
Nomura: The trial version can only change Jack’s costume, and the leading promo can only be made with the scope of the trial version, so only Jack in the cutscene is in the initial state. In this article, you can share equipment with your partners.
──It’s really nice that the equipment that is hard to get can play the best role. Can Jack equip all weapons and armors?
Inoue: Yes, Jack can use all classes and equipment.
■Release in 2022
──The powerful soundtrack in the experience version is also very impressive. Who is responsible for the music?
Fujiwara: The main composer is paddy field (Mr. Naoshimi pada) who is in charge of works such as “FFXI” and “FFXIII-2”, and Iwa (Mr. Hidenori Iwa. Representative as “FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES” etc.) and Yama (山﨑Mr. Liang, as a representative of “WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY” etc.) also participated in the creation.
──Are there any requirements for music?
Nomura: Regarding the music of the promotional film, I told them that I hope to challenge a genre that hasn’t been tried so far, and ask them to create intense and lonely music through rapid changes.
Inoue: The background music in the game is created by me telling the feeling I want.
──The experience version of the boss battle has phrases similar to the “FFI” battle song, which impressed me deeply.
Inoue: I ask the music team not to just use the phrase, but to change it to a melody suitable for the work.
──Mr. Fujiwara and Mr. Inoue are also the producers and directors of the mobile game “DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA”. Are they already considering Jack and others on stage?
Fujiwara: “OPERA OMNIA” is still run by Inoue and I. I hope that Jack and the others can also appear on the stage if there is a chance.
Nomura: Make your own “FF” and let that character log on to the mobile platform (laughs)
──(laughs). This work is for sale in 2022. Please share your ambitions for the sale.
Inoue: This is a game that I want to challenge and change, so I am prepared for players to have various reactions. As long as you can give us the impression of the trial version, I think the level of the game can be improved in one go, so please give us feedback, I will work hard until the moment the game is released!
Fujiwara: Unexpected problems occurred on the day the trial version was launched. I’m very sorry to keep players waiting for a long time. There is only a little story mentioned in the demo version, but the solid plot of this work is exciting and very shocking. I hope that players can continue to wait for follow-up news, so stay tuned for the release.
Nomura: Although there is only public information about the demo version, the demo version is only the first part of the game. There will be more characters appearing in this chapter, the game will become richer, and the story will be very curious. You may be confused because of unexpected characters suddenly appear, but please stay tuned for follow-up news.
The trial version was unavailable for a period of time due to the public issue of the day, so the removal time was extended by two days. Although it can only be played until 22:59 on June 26, if you have a playable environment, please be sure to play and give us feedback. There is not much time left until the release, but the entire development team will continue to work hard, and please support and advice.
The free trial version of “STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN” is now available for download on PS5. The official said that in order to improve the quality of the official version, the opinions of all players will be collected, and it is hoped that players must leave valuable comments after playing the experience version.
In addition, the trial version’s open play time will be extended to 22:59 on June 26th, and the questionnaire about how to play will also be extended to 22:59 on July 2nd. (After the game is taught through the trial version, you can move to the questionnaire page at any time from the questionnaire link in the title screen. In addition, after the trial version is played, you can also answer the questionnaire from the game during the questionnaire implementation period.)
This work is scheduled to be launched in 2022, landing on the platforms PS4/PS5, Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S and PC.
“STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN” official website