
	Platform PSP Genre Action / Fighting Publisher Square-Enix Developer Square-Enix ETA Q3 2009
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Dissidia: Final Fantasy

As time has passed, Square-Enix has become more and more comfortable to revisit old Final Fantasy games. It started with Final Fantasy X-2, and has since resulted in a number of other spinoffs such as Dirge of Cerberus, Final Fantasy: Crisis Core, and now Dissidia, a fast-paced action / fighting game featuring a number of popular characters from past Final Fantasies.

The way in which fights take place on a 3D battlefield is somewhat reminiscent of Cannon Spike, except that combat is far more melee oriented, as opposed to ranged. Levels themselves are quite large, with power-up items sprinkled about them for players to try and grab when they’re in a pinch, as well as the occasional trap that can prove problematic for those who accidentally stumble upon them.

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Square-Enix has been quite thorough in putting together a roster of characters to play as in Dissidia. Pretty much every Final Fantasy game is represented by at least one member of its respective cast here, evenly split between heroes and villains. For the forces of good we have the Warrior of Light (FFI), Firion (FFII), Onion Knight (FFIII), Cecil (FFIV),

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Bartz (FFV), Terra (FFVI), Cloud (FFVII), Squall (FFVIII), Zidane (FFIX), Tidus (FFX), and Shantotto (FFXI). As for evildoers, players will be able to choose from Garland (FFI), The Emperor (FFII), Cloud of Darkness (FFIII), Golbez (FFIV), Exdeath (FFV), Kefka (FFVI), Sephiroth (FFVII), Ultimecia (FFVIII), Kuja (FFIX), Jecht (FFX), and Gabranth (FFXII). These characters align themselves with two deities that are jockeying for control of the world, one who is the Goddess of Harmony, Cosmos, the other the God of Destruction, Chaos. It’s a very straightforward story of good versus evil.

Gameplay is designed to be fast-paced with players trying to get their opponent’s hit points down to zero in order to earn a victory. Adding an extra layer of depth to this is something called Brave Points. At the start of a fight, both combatants have an equal number of these points. However, besides regular attacks, they will also be able to perform Brave Point attacks. These sap one Brave Point from their opponent and add it to their own. The more Brave Points that a character has, the stronger both their offense and defense are, so it is highly beneficial to boost these points as much as possible in order to quickly defeat an enemy. Pulling off attacks is kept fairly simple in Dissidia, foregoing more complicated button combos prevalent in other fighting games. There are some special attacks available, but these too are relatively simple to perform. This should help to keep the focus of combat on speed, creating a more visceral experience.

Upon its release in Japan, Dissidia: Final Fantasy was very well-received by both critics, and gamers. Now it’s only a few months away from release over here (assuming there are no delays), so the wait is almost over for PSP-owning Final Fantasy fans.

Mr. Nash

April 5, 2009