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Amazon deal: The Last Remnant for $27 on PC

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 25th 2009 at 5:30PM }

Even Amazon isn't expecting too much traffic on this Memorial Day, as The Last Remnant for PC is the company's "deal of the day" for $27. The game won Japanese mag Famitsu's "rookie title prize" for 2008.

The PC version of The Last Remnant isn't as bad in the technical department as the Xbox 360 version, which was marred by some inconsistent frame rates, pop-in and loading times. The game isn't by any means a top-tier JRPG, but for PC players without a console, it's ... well, it's a JRPG on the PC.

Gallery: The Last Remnant

Famitsu crowns Hideo Kojima, Monster Hunter with timely 2008 awards

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 25th 2009 at 5:30PM }

They say that the Japanese are known for their impeccable respect of timeliness. So why is it that leading Japanese mag Famitsu is revealing its 2008 Game of the Year winners now? Here are some highlights:

Person of the Year -- Hideo Kojima
This is a man that not only has time to pen the complex and convoluted script behind Metal Gear Solid 4, but will star in weird videos meant solely for fanboys. That's a man you can respect.
Rookie Title Prize -- The Last Remnant
Perhaps "rookie" is a good word to use for Square Enix's RPG that almost played at a respectable framerate on a system that almost sold well in Japan.
Innovation Prize -- Wii Music
This game innovated by being the first Nintendo-developed Wii game that didn't sell billions of copies.
Game of the Year & Best Seller Prize -- Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G
We love it when "best selling" means simply "the best." In America, the best game of 2008 is Wii Play.

For the complete list of Famitsu's 2008 winners, visit 1UP.

GDC09: No comment on PS3 version of The Last Remnant

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 26th 2009 at 9:30PM }

Square Enix first announced The Last Remnant, its Unreal Engine-powered RPG, as a multiplatform title for Xbox 360, PC and PS3. With both 360 and PC versions out, some are wondering what happened to the PS3 version.

Hiroshi Takai from Square Enix spoke at GDC, commenting on his experiences working with an externally produced engine for a project targeted at a global market. Lackluster reviews in America led Takai to admit that the game was "scored too high" in Japan.

According to Gamasutra, Takai was asked about the PS3 version of The Last Remnant. Though noting that the PC version had just shipped, he said, "I can't answer for the PlayStation 3," We've requested an official comment from Square Enix, and will update when we get a response.

Gallery: The Last Remnant

Square Enix: 360 easier to develop on than the PS3

by Dustin Burg { Dec 16th 2008 at 12:15PM }

In the latest issue of OXM, Square Enix developer Hiroshi Takai has admitted the unimaginable ... the Xbox 360 is easier to develop on than the Playstation 3. Even admitting that he hopes his next project is on the 360. Gasp! Shock! Awe!

"It's been the team's first time working with Xbox 360 and the Unreal Engine," said Takai who worked on the currently 360 exclusive Last Remnant, adding that the Xbox is "a lot easier to work with than PlayStation 3." But really, didn't we already know that? Here's to hoping that our Final Fantasy is OMG jaw-droppingly more amazing than the PS3 version. Because we're selfish and that's just how we roll.

Grab free The Last Remnant DLC 'unlocks'

by Dustin Burg { Dec 8th 2008 at 4:30PM }

Square Enix just released new The Last Remnant downloadable content to the Marketplace today, but we do use the term "downloadable content" ever so liberally because the content is nothing more than 108KB game unlocks. No matter, it's new content even if it's already on the game disc.

The two FREE downloads include Challenge Pack 1: Purgatory's Sins which we're informed requires "adequate game progression" (whatever that may be) and The Key of Ancient Ruins which should unlock some pretty spiffy stuff. Remember too that more DLC is headed down the pipeline, so watch for it and keep hope that it isn't just an unlock code.

Four DLC packs for Last Remnant in December

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 29th 2008 at 3:00PM }

If you've been able to look past the numerous reported technical issues with The Last Remnant, you should be happy to hear that that three downloadable content packs are on the way for the game. The first, Challenge Pack 1: Purgatory's Sins, will be available to Xbox Live Gold members on December 1 and Silver members on December 8. This pack includes new guild tasks. Also available on these dates will be The Key of Ancient Ruins which, appropriately enough, unlocks the Ancient Ruins in the game. The third bit of DLC, Challenge Pack 2: The Price of Lies, which includes more guild tasks, will be available to Gold members on December 22 and Silver members on the 29th. All three of the above content packs will be completely free.

Finally, March to War, which was previously available only to those who had pre-ordered the game, will be made available to both Gold and Silver members on December 15 for 100 Microsoft Points. March to War adds three more formations for the game: Scatterswarm, Goblet and Catapult.

Video: A swordy Last Remnant launch trailer

by Dustin Burg { Nov 21st 2008 at 4:30PM }

After the break we used our blogging powers to embed a new Last Remnant trailer, its big launch trailer, which is brimming with ego, long hair and swords. You know, Square Enix really loves their swords. Square Enix also loves their long blond locks of hair and kitty beasts with four arms. Square Enix also loves to ... love.

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The Last Remnant receives special Xbox 360 bundle in Japan

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 3rd 2008 at 2:15PM }

Square Enix's The Last Remnant will be available in a special edition Xbox 360 bundle when it launches Nov. 20 in Japan. The box comes with the standard stuff, but includes DVD remote, game, faceplate and soundtrack CD for around $331 - the bundle saves about $30 off the cost of the standalone game plus system.

As Microsoft reaches for the million Xbox 360 sold mark in Japan, we're already prepared for another sales surge anomaly when The Last Remnant releases late next month. We've seen Microsoft's console receive a sales spike twice recently with exclusive JRPG releases of Tales of Vesperia and Infinite Undiscovery. However, unlike those other titles, The Last Remnant is not an Xbox 360 exclusive and will be available on PS3 at a later date.

[Via Siliconera]

70 screenshots for The Last Remnant plus battle mechanics details

by Alan Tsang { Sep 27th 2008 at 2:30PM }

We really haven't heard anything about The Last Remnant for a while now -- the game's PS3 version still lacks a release date (the delay is attributed to the Unreal Engine while the 360 version will be out this November) and details on the game mechanics are fuzzy at best.

Luckily for fans, Siliconera has unearthed some information on the battle mechanics for the multiplatform RPG. It is being summarized as a "turn-based RPG with multiple parties" -- you control several parties of up to five characters each. Instead of issuing direct commands to the members of the party, you issue more generalized directions such as "time to get physical/mystical" (physical/magical attacks on enemies) or "attack, but stay healthy" (attack close-ranged enemies while healing) to the entire party. Finally, there's also a morale meter on the top of the battle screen: high morale means you deal more damage while damage received will be reduced and vice versa.

This whole system doesn't sound especially innovative to us. So instead of controlling 4-5 members of your party in a typical RPG, you control 4-5 parties that work in a similar fashion? We'll reserve our final judgment for the game when it comes out though, not that we know when that will happen. Check out the latest screenshots for the game -- you can find all 70 of them in the gallery below.

Gallery: The Last Remnant

Famitsu clarifies: PS3 Last Remnant not out this November

by Majed Athab { Aug 18th 2008 at 10:30PM }

Some of you may have read (and even tipped us off) about reports stating that The Last Remnant for PS3 would be released alongside the 360 version this November. However, and unfortunately, this statement is false. Famitsu, the origin of the mistaken release date has issued a correction (via IGN). The info came from the publication's latest magazine, "Famitsu PS3 Vol.XIII DKΣ3713 EX.Report." The right release date for the PS3 version is still a TBA worldwide release.

[Via Joystiq]

Famitsu corrects its Last Remnant PS3 release date

by Ross Miller { Aug 18th 2008 at 2:45PM }

Famitsu has posted a correction on its website (via IG N) about an incorrect The Last Remnant release date that appeared in the latest Famitsu PS3 publication. The issue, dedicated to Square Enix's recent DKΣ3713 event, incorrectly listed the PlayStation 3 version of the game as coming November 20, the same day as the Xbox 360 release. The PS3 version's actual release date is, as they say, TBA for both Japan and the rest of the world. As far as we know, the Xbox 360 version is still poised to make that November 20 "worldwide" release.

The Last Remnant roundtable discussion: still no PS3 release date

by Nick Doerr { Jul 18th 2008 at 4:00PM }

Don't let the subject line fool you -- while there's still no firm release date set for The Last Remnant on the PS3, it's coming and it's about time we learned a little more about the game. A bunch of press members sat down with the game's producer, Nobuyuki Ueda, then tried to get some information about the game's battle system and storyline. We'll summarize the important bits and let you decide if you want to read the whole thing.

The game is supposed to appease both Western and Japanese gamers. English development is ahead of Japanese, so the English dub is proceeding along smoothly, Ueda says. The battles are as large-scale or as small-scale as you'd like. You have control over five "unions" with five members in each union, but it seems like you directly control either one at a time or the leader of each union during battles.

Once battle starts, a timer is in place that'll signify when more enemy units will join in the brawl. The greater the number of enemies you choose to encounter, the greater the reward. Think of the DS title The World Ends With You to get an idea what they're going for. The morale meter does not indicate rewards; it helps you see how well other units will pay attention to your orders. While the game sounds like it keeps many traditional RPG elements, it also sounds like it may be more hands-off than expected. We don't know for sure, so we'll not make any judgments until we play it for ourselves.

The Last Remnant chiseled in for Nov. 20 release

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jul 14th 2008 at 11:30PM }

The Last Remnant, which given Square Enix's typical grasp of words like "final" is probably the first remnant on top a great pile of discarded remnants, will be found on the Xbox 360 on November 20th. In an announcement that was almost swept away by multiplatform Final Fantasy XIII hysteria, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada confirmed at Microsoft's E3 press conference that the pointy-haired, teary-eyed RPG would arrive on Microsoft's system first, just in time for the end-of-year purchasing frenzy. A Games For Windows version will follow at a later stage.

Be sure to view the trailer posted after the break!

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Last Remnant dev says Unreal Engine cause behind PS3 delay

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 18th 2008 at 12:30AM }

Once again, another Unreal Engine-related delay strikes again. The Last Remnant is one of the timed exclusive RPGs from Square Enix on the Xbox 360, but that wasn't because Microsoft shelled out the big bucks. According to an interview with Gamespy, the delay was "mainly for development reasons." The Unreal Engine has been difficult to work with on PS3, and that's been the cause of the delay. "We're developing the game using the middleware Unreal Engine, and the Unreal Engine has a slower development on the PS3 side."

Thankfully, ever since Epic worked on the PS3 with Unreal Tournament III, things have been running more smoothly on Sony's platform. "It was only really workable after Unreal Tournament was published, so this was mainly a development decision."

Square Enix's other PS3 RPG games, Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII, utilize Square Enix's in-house Crystal Tools engine.

[Via NeoGAF]

Gallery: The Last Remnant

Star Ocean 4 currently Xbox exclusive, Last Remnant delayed on PS3

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 10th 2008 at 8:15AM }

Fans of Square Enix RPGs may have assumed PS3 was the safe bet this generation of consoles. However, during a press conference in Japan today, the famed RPG maker announced its plans to support Xbox 360, with at least one exclusive, and two timed exclusives for Microsoft's current generation platform.

Star Ocean: The Last Hope, the fourth iteration of the popular RPG series, has been announced for Xbox 360 only. The official website makes it clear that the game will be a 360 title, but plans for a PS3 version haven't been completely ruled out yet. "We cannot announce anything on that. We can say that it will be released first [on the Xbox 360]. Whether we'll release it on the PS3 is undecided. We may release it, we may not." [Source]

Another Square Enix game, The Last Remnant, will be multiplatform. However, the game will debut on Xbox 360 first this year, with a PS3 version to come some time after, perhaps next year. This continues Microsoft's aggressive push to secure the Japanese RPG market, with Square Enix's Infinite Undiscovery being an Xbox 360 exclusive as well. PS3 fans need not fret too much, because at the very least, the Final Fantasy XIII games are still exclusive on PS3. For now.

[Via Joystiq]

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