Final Fantasy Type-0

Final Fantasy Type-0 is Dark, Violent, Intriguing (Preview)

Originally announced as Final Fantasy Agito XIII in 2006, Final Fantasy Type-0 has since transformed from a cell phone game to a full-fledged Sony PSP title spread across two UMDs. This week, Square Enix released a free demo of the Japanese version of the game via PlayStation Network and its official Final Fantasy Type-0 website. We braved the hazards of Japan's PSN and downloaded the demo for a test drive, even though Square hasn't announced a U.S. release for the game. Type-0 takes place within the Fabula Nova Crystallis universe of the Final Fantasy series, which it shares with Versus XIII. The unifying element of the Fabula franchise is the importance of crystals, which play an integral part in shaping each game's world. Type-0's is set in a time of multiple warring empires powered by crystals inspired by gods of the Chinese zodiac, such as Suzaku and Byakko. The game hints at a rich history that isn't fully explored in the demo, but the tension between opposing empires is obvious. Type-0's main cast is comprised of a number of students who belong to a group called Class Zero. Class Zero attends a magic school named Rubrum Peristylium Suzaku; naturally, their homeland houses and protects the Suzaku Crystal.