Final Fantasy XIII Fabula Nova Crystallis
New Story of the Crystals
Nearly all information on Final Fantasy XIII can be found within these pages. See the links on the left for more on Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII.
Final Fantasy XIII is part of the Final Fantasy series originally created by Square Soft some 20 odd years ago. Usually each title has been a stand alone game, with it's own unique story and universe, and has always been followed up with more of that. Final Fantasy VII, X and XII (and soon IV) have seen sequels and prequels after their release, but this time, Square Enix, with Final Fantasy XIII, is developing the would-be stand alone Final Fantasy XIII into a sub-series of it's own, before the release of Final Fantasy XIII itself.
Square Enix has proclaimed the sub-series "Final Fantasy XIII Fabula Nova Crystallis". Translating the latin, it is Final Fantasy XIII The New Story of the Crystals. As of now, there are three known entries of the series as well as a possible fourth after yet another Final Fantasy XIII name was trademarked last year. Further more, there is certainty of even more titles to come. The known titles are Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and Final Fantasy Agito XIII. Square Enix has also trademarked Final Fantasy Haeresis XIII, but absolutely nothing else is know of that possible title.
Final Fantasy XIII will be releasing first for the Playstation 3, although since it's debut, there has been no indication of it's eventual release date, and has up for much speculation for the last 2 years. The game is certainly going to be a full blown Final Fantasy title, sparing no detail considering the sub-series being developed along side it. It is being directed by Motomu Toriyama, director of Final Fantasy VII and X among other titles. Character design is being handled by Tetsuya Nomura. The title is set in a futuristic time, the protagonist known simply by her codename, Lightning.
Final Fantasy Versus XIII looks to be the possible second release from Fabula Nova Crystallis, but it is not for certain. Final Fantasy Versus XIII is being developed for the Playstation 3 as well, and is being directed by Tetsuya Nomura, who is also the character designer for the title. The title will be much more like Kingdom Hearts, game play wise, than Final Fantasy. The title is set to a modern time, and the protagonist, while his name is unknown, is a Prince.
Final Fantasy Agito XIII is being developed for Japanese Cellphones, much like Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII was. The game will be in full 3D and have a console-length story and is being directed by Hajime Tabata. The release of Agito is also up in the air, but seeing as it's being developed for cellphones, it's guess-able that the title has a shorter development time than Final Fantasy Versus XIII has on the Playstation 3. Thus the title may be seen in Japan some time between the release of Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. The setting for Agito is at a school, and the protagonist is boy with blond hair of whom wields cards.
As each game is set in different places in the universe, and at different time periods, it is still a mystery as to why they are all part of Final Fantasy XIII. Tetsuya has said that the underlining mythology of each title is the same, of which partly drives each ones story. How they will use and handle this is anyones guess. Time, and Square Enix, will tell just how deep the connection between each title really is.
