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| Liz Maas |
Details on Concordia, the magic system and more.
07.26.11 - 9:33 PM
Square Enix's Final Fantasy Type-0 had a nice big feature in Dengeki this week, which included an interview with both director Hajime Tabata and art director Yusuke Naora, plus a bunch of game details. When the game was demoed recently at an event in Japan, attendees noticed something that looked like a Crystarium in the game, kind of like Final Fantasy XIII's. This is called the Alto Crystarium, and is used to level up your magic in the game.
A few days ago we mentioned the Phantoma, a system where you recover magic by absorbing Phantoma, something that enemies leave behind when they're defeated. Certain coloured Phantoma recover certain types of magic. These Phantoma are used in the Alto Crystarium, too, and you level your magic in different areas: strength, MP required, call time, distance and speed. To power up a fire magic's strength, for example, requires six red Phantoma.
The three elements of magic are fire, ice and lightning. Spells can also have different attack types and call methods: Shotgun types are great for damaging enemies up close, though the magic will not travel very far from you. Rifle is aimed directly at your target - it can travel far, but won't damage an area of enemies since its range is thin. Missile types tail your target - kind of like a homing missile - before the magic is actually released. As you level up your magic, the effect area for this type will increase. Bomb types are great for dealing damage to a bunch of enemies (like small ones) surrounding you. Finally, rocket launchers will make a target appear, which you can move around to aim your spell. Once you cast magic of this type, it will explode and damage enemies in the area.
There were also a number of tidbits on characters and the kingdom of Concordia. Andoria, seen in the game's recent trailer, is Concordia's princess. Hoshihime was also seen in the trailer, and is a member of the Akitoki, one of the groups of knights who protect the crystal. Andoria has some sort of connection to the Queen Dragon, a physical manifestation of the kingdom's peristylium (magic school). Because its people use dragons and monsters in battle, Concordia has a fantasy feel to it. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that there will be a dragoon class in-game. Another interesting fact about Concordia is its government: All the members are female.
Finally, a few more characters were introduced. Seven likes to take care of her classmates, even if she seems a little cold at first. In battle she wields a sword whip, which lets her damage enemies both up close and at a distance. She can also catch an enemy which lets her deal a shock to them. The easygoing Jack always carries a smile and a sword in battle and has lots of strength. He has a special skill which lets him evade an attack and deliver a blow of his own. Deuce is also caring, and sounds like somewhat of a bard: She uses a child's flute in a flight attacking her foes with music. She has a special ability 'Concerto' which boosts her allies' statuses.
Though Rem and Machina are special, key characters in Type-0, Tabata insists that these two are not the main characters. The game's story is not told from a single character's perspective, but rather, has Class Zero as a whole in the 'main role.' With Rem, Machina and the students of Class Zero, the game has fourteen playable characters in total.
Final Fantasy Type-0 has a Japanese release date of October 13th.
