Sq. Enix’s Ultimate Fantasy IX is celebrating its twenty fifth anniversary at present, and though we’re disenchanted by the dearth of a remake announcement, we did get to journey with Zidane and Vivi as soon as once more, because of One other Eden. This collaboration marks the primary time that Wright Flyer Studios’ cellular RPG is crossing paths with Sq. Enix’s iconic sequence, so I need to know precisely what goes into it.
Identical to in One other Eden‘s earlier collaborations with video games like Chrono Cross, Persona 5 Royal, and The King of Fighters, Aldo travels to Alexandria to staff up with key Ultimate Fantasy IX characters in an all-new story. The collaboration even introduces new mechanics based mostly on Ultimate Fantasy, like equipping Magic Stones, and includes a Chocobo racing minigame. I bought the possibility to talk with One other Eden’s producer, Shinnosuke Hirasawa, about what makes this collaboration so particular.
Firstly, I need to know why the staff selected FFIX, of all of the mainline and spin-off Ultimate Fantasy titles, to crossover with. Certain, the excessive fantasy setting fits One other Eden to a tee, however in a sport constructed round traversing area and time, you may justify any location or time interval if you need. Hirasawa talked about that, whereas location and themes have been handy, the sport’s twenty fifth anniversary is the primary driving issue for the collaboration. The staff is “thrilled to have the ability to contribute to followers’ celebrations.”
Extra typically, Hirasawa says that, when selecting which IP to crossover with, “We prioritize collaborations the place we really feel that we are able to create an thrilling new journey whereas additionally respecting the unique work.” Most of the sport’s earlier crossovers are with different JRPG titles, however video games like The King of Fighters, SNK’s long-standing brawler, are wild playing cards that also made for profitable integrations.
If you’re working with such a beloved sequence as Ultimate Fantasy, fan response should weigh closely in your thoughts. Fortunately, in line with Hirasawa, “Gamers are very happy with the crossover occasion, and particularly with how instantly it’s impressed by Ultimate Fantasy IX. Personally, I am glad to see that even individuals who have by no means performed a Ultimate Fantasy sport are actually having fun with it.”
He continues, “In fact, we need to reside as much as followers’ expectations, so your entire staff analyzed FFIX very intently. Nevertheless, since many people are additionally massive followers of the sport, we actually loved growth and put all our love for the unique sport into the collaboration.” I usually discover that when a developer is obsessed with one thing, that keenness shines by within the closing product, so the One other Eden staff’s love for FFIX is probably going an enormous contributor to the collaboration’s success.
As an avid cellular gamer, I am shocked to see that the FFIX crossover is ready to run for a number of months and that some earlier collabs are nonetheless reside within the sport. Apart from Honkai Star Rail’s 74-year-long Destiny banner, cellular sport crossover content material is normally extraordinarily limited-time. I ask Hirasawa why One other Eden’s content material differs, and he notes that “many console sport followers play One other Eden and assist it to develop.” Totally different audiences anticipate various things.
He additionally tells me that, “Our growth coverage doesn’t typically put a time restrict on any content material, together with new characters and particular content material. This additionally permits all gamers to take pleasure in all content material, no matter once they begin enjoying.” Particularly contemplating that, to start out the FFIX content material in One other Eden, it’s important to progress fairly far by the primary story, this makes the sport rather more approachable for brand new gamers, like me, who picked up the sport for the collab, fairly than beginning 5 years in the past.
Talking of 5 years in the past, One other Eden is approaching its fifth anniversary, so I needed to ask if there are any particular plans within the works. Hirasawa is fairly tight-lipped concerning the topic, however teases that “We plan on starting a brand new and thrilling journey for the anniversary.” I assume we’ll have to remain tuned! Plus, now that there is a connection between WFS and Sq. Enix, we might see extra Ultimate Fantasy collabs sooner or later.
Once I decide his mind for dream collaborations, Hirasawa did not title any particular IP, however mentions that “There’s a title that many One other Eden gamers hope we can collaborate with sooner or later, and I additionally hope that we are able to collaborate with them sooner or later.” Primarily based on the group’s emotions, I am predicting both a Ultimate Fantasy VII or Chrono Set off crossover sooner or later. Yuji Horii has been reluctant to speak concerning the iconic JRPG for worry of spoiling one thing, so who is aware of.
From private expertise, I can say that now is a superb time to leap into One other Eden. If you happen to like free cellular video games and JRPGs, you may love the nostalgic really feel of the sport combined with trendy parts like character gacha. You may obtain it now from the App Retailer or Google Play, or play on PC by way of Steam.
