Microsoft Showcases New Square Enix, Namco RPGs In Japan

Continuing its quest to bolster the Xbox 360's Japanese profile, a Microsoft Japan press conference has showcased Square Enix's Infinite Undiscovery, The Last Remnant, and Star Ocean for the console - with Namco Bandai also revealing a Tales of Vesperia Xbox 360 bundle for Japan. Square Enix announced that Infinite Undiscovery, an Xbox 360-exclusive RPG developed by tri-Ace, will ship in North America on September 2nd, 2008, followed by its release in Europe and other PAL territories on September 5th and in Japan on September 11th. Square Enix's The Last Remant, under development for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, will release globally for the Xbox 360 winter 2008. Star Ocean: The Last Hope, another Xbox 360 exclusive developed by tri-Ace, is scheduled for 2009. Said Square Enix CEO and president John Yamamoto in a press statement sent to Gamasutra: "Square Enix is expanding on its commitment to deliver exciting gaming experiences to our fans all around the world. Infinite Undiscovery, The Last Remnant, Star Ocean: The Last Hope represent significant steps in bringing our titles to a global audience and to make each new release a global event." Elsewhere at the conference, according to consumer game site IGN, Namco Bandai announced its plans for Tales of Vesperia, which include an Xbox 360 bundle and a demo. Japanese versions of BioWare's Mass Effect and Lionhead Studios' Fable II, both published by Microsoft Game Studios, were also shown. Namco Bandai revealed that it plans to release a demo for Tales of Vesperia in June over Xbox Live, followed by the game's release in Japan on August 7th, 2008 with a 20-gigabyte Xbox 360 bundle retailing for ¥37,800 (approximately $358). Tales of Vesperia is scheduled to ship in North America in August 2008. Europe's release will be in 2009. According to Namco Bandai, this near-simultaneous launch for all major territories will be a first for the series. Media developments, such as a music single, a full soundtrack, and a Kadokawa Shoten-published magazine devoted to the Tales series, are also planned.