Not too long ago I posted an article about the potential for a Warcraft fighting game. As other franchise games get fighting spin offs I’m beginning to see that my dream might not be as unlikely as I thought. First Castlevania had an (admittedly really crappy) fighting game and now Final Fantasy gives you the opportunity to bash up your favourite characters across several versions of the game.

Male? Female? You need a birth certificate to be sure

For Final Fantasy fans it looks like a must have item. There are eleven playable characters on the side of cosmos (goodies) and eleven characters on the side of chaos (baddies) battling it out for some balance achieving, life force protecting… something about crystals with souls. Look it’s a Final Fantasy plot, don’t ask me to explain it.

Expect lots of flashy kills

The characters can be upgraded with experience points and Gil won in matches can be used to buy new equipment for your character so the game still bares some links to its RPG roots. You’ll also have access to up to fifty (!!!) summons through equipped summoning orbs.
Rather than a standard beat ‘em up the battles are conducted in a three dimensional arena and characters have free movement to get around. So it’s more Soul Calibur with obstacles than Street Fighter IV.

Gunblade guy versus water sword guy

The Japanese release of the game received some pretty good reviews and was one of Famitsu’s ‘Best Pick’ games in December.
Dissidia: Final Fantasy for the PSP will release in Australia on September 3 and will include a rather nifty collector’s edition with soundtracks, art books and lithographs. You know, all that stuff you’ve got shoved behind your game cases in your cupboard.