News Articles
Sunday28th Mar 2021
News Mistwalker Boss Not Interested In Reviving Studio's Older Games
Would rather "build something new"
Earlier this week, we heard how the mobile exclusive Fantasian could potentially be the last project for Final Fantasy creator and Mistwalker Boss, Hironobu Sakaguchi, before he steps back or at least takes a break. In the same interview with VGC, Sakaguchi was asked if his company would be up for remasters or...
Thursday25th Mar 2021
News Final Fantasy Creator Hironobu Sakaguchi Says Latest Project Could Be His Last
"I think it is certainly possible"
A few weeks ago, we heard how Japanese video game composer, Nobuo Uematsu - who has worked on most Final Fantasy games in some capacity and other RPG hits like Chrono Trigger - might be calling it a day due to health issues. Now, in a bit of an update, Final Fantasy creator and veteran designer, Hironobu
Sunday2nd Dec 2018
A never-ending cycle
As 2018 winds down, Nintendo is still busy registering trademarks like there's no tomorrow. A week after the Japanese company secured smartphone-related trademarks for Kirby's Dream Land, Art Academy and
Wednesday4th Dec 2013
News Reggie Fils-Aime: Petitions Don't Affect Nintendo's Decisions
“100,000 signatures doesn’t mean 100,000 sales”
Movements like Operation Rainfall demonstrate a community’s interest in seeing certain games or features become accessible; in Operation Rainfall’s case, advocates eventually saw their wishes granted by Nintendo, but was that a direct result of their efforts? According to Nintendo of America...
Monday28th Jan 2013
News XSEED Talks Wii Support And Why It Isn't Touching Retro Game Challenge 2
"Our love for the game blinded our business reasoning"
XSEED Games has a reputation for localising great Japanese-only titles for the west. The publisher has been very successful with its choices, with The Last Story becoming its most successful title of all time. Another highly-regarded title is Pandora's Tower, a game that has already made it to...
Saturday29th Dec 2012
News The Last Story Was Almost Left Untold In North America
XSEED came close to passing up the opportunity
The Last Story is one of the stronger titles on Wii, which we've just named as our staff's second favourite on the system in 2012. Originally released in Japan in early 2011, it took a long time to make an appearance in the West. It was early 2012 when it was published in Europe by Nintendo, however it...
Wednesday21st Nov 2012
News Bumper Sales Make The Last Story XSEED's Most Successful Title Ever
New print run should continue the positive performance
Publisher XSEED - a specialist in localising Japanese titles for western consumption - has announced that RPG The Last Story is its most popular title yet, although it stopped short of divulging precise figures. The game - which is developed by Hironobu "Final Fantasy" Sakaguchi's studio...
Wednesday11th Jul 2012
News The Last Story Hits North America on 14th August
Operation Rainfall yet to claim release date responsibility
We've known for a good while that The Last Story will arrive in North America this summer, and publisher XSeed has finally confirmed the details to IGN. The date for your diaries is 14th August, and there are a number of goodies awaiting eager buyers. It's been confirmed that all...
Monday2nd Jul 2012
News New Documentary Tells The Last Story
Fan service
The Last Story finally hits North America this month, so it's a good time to learn a little more about the game's development. This documentary by French site Sidekick.fr explains more about Mistwalker's background, The Last Story's original concept as a much darker game called Lost World and more. It's well researched and slick, and...
Wednesday27th Jun 2012
News Takuya Matsumoto: 'Nintendo Influence Was Big' on The Last Story
The Mario Club has tough taskmasters
Takuya Matsumoto has worked on some high quality SEGA titles in the past, such as NiGHTS and Sonic Adventure on Dreamcast, and was the development lead on The Last Story, the excellent Wii RPG that finally arrives in North America on 10th July. In an interview with Gamasutra, Matsumoto discussed the development...
Friday1st Jun 2012
News Sakaguchi - 'Certain Ideas' Missed in The Last Story Due to SD Resolution
Arrives in North America on 10th July
The Last Story has been available in Europe for a while now, and received warm critical praise. It was the first game directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi — the creator of the Final Fantasy series — in quite some time, and it was a title with impressive scope and attractive visuals that made the most of Wii. The...
Friday13th Apr 2012
News Club Nintendo Europe Gives Coins for JRPG Trilogy
Commemorative coins, we mean
With Pandora's Tower out in Europe today, the so-called Operation Rainfall trilogy is complete. Register all three games — Pandora's Tower, Xenoblade Chronicles and The Last Story — in Club Nintendo and you could get a nice surprise. Nintendo Lee (no relation) states Nintendo Europe is offering a commemo
Friday30th Mar 2012
News Nintendo UK Pushes Wii RPGs with New Trailer
Wii's legacy?
With a shade over two months until we hit the Wii U information motherlode at E3, Wii's time is just about over. While the mainstream will likely remember it for introducing motion control and kickstarting the party and fitness game crazes, Nintendo UK wants you to think fondly of its contributions to the adventure and roleplaying...
Friday24th Feb 2012
News Sakaguchi's The Last Story Launch Trailer is In
Director has the final say
The Last Story is out today in Europe and creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has co-directed a trailer to get you even more excited. The trailer below gives you an idea of the scale you can expect from Sakaguchi's latest Wii RPG, which by our reckoning is rather good. Don't believe us? Our The Last Story review is pretty...
Thursday23rd Feb 2012
News Now GAME Pulls The Last Story Completely
No stock at all
Yesterday we reported that GAME won't stock The Last Story limited edition but now it's dropped the game completely. A Nintendo Life reader received this email about his pre-order: Unfortunately we are no longer stocking The Last Story on Wii. If you return to the store they will be happy to refund your £5.00 deposit. I apologise...
Wednesday22nd Feb 2012
News GAME Drops The Last Story Limited Edition
Pre-orders are out of luck
For UK gamers planning to pick up the special edition of The Last Story from retailer GAME, there's been some disappointing news as their orders have been cancelled. As reported by Eurogamer, emails were sent to affected customers earlier this week, giving only a few days notice before the title launches on 24th February...
News The Last Story Coming to Wii in North America
At last!
Your prayers have been answered: The Last Story is coming to North America. XSEED Games is publishing the critically acclaimed RPG in North America later in 2012, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced. You can read our The Last Story review to find out why this game is worth the wait.
Friday17th Feb 2012
Feature Hironobu Sakaguchi's BAFTA Presentation
Final Fantasy creator speaks up
Last night Nintendo Life editor James Newton attended a presentation by Final Fantasy creator and The Last Story director Hironobu Sakaguchi at London's BAFTA HQ. The famous developer reflected on his 25+ years of industry experience and his latest project, answering questions from the packed-out audience. The night...
Wednesday15th Feb 2012
News New Trailer for The Last Story Teams Up for Battle
Magic and swords galore
There's now little over a week until The Last Story is released in Europe, and Nintendo has released a new trailer to show off some of the game mechanics. After an introduction to Lazulis City, an important location in the game, the action quickly moves to battle mechanics: a variety of enemies and attack strategies are...
Monday6th Feb 2012
News The Last Story Gets New Site and Iwata Asks
Getting nearer
Europe's just 18 days away from The Last Story, and Nintendo wants to get you geared up with a new website and Iwata Asks interview. The official The Last Story website has sections dedicated to explaining the multiplayer, item customisation and combat, but an obvious highlight is the music section which contains seven tracks from the...
Thursday2nd Feb 2012
News New Trailer for The Last Story Introduces Characters
It's all so dramatic
The latest trailer for The Last Story has arrived, introducing the main group of characters and showing off some dramatic moments. There are a lot of grand set-pieces, clashing swords and even a dragon packed into the second half, suggesting that Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi hasn't held back in the storyline. The...
Friday27th Jan 2012
News Hironobu Sakaguchi Tours UK to Promote The Last Story
BAFTA be there
The Last Story is one month from launch, and creator Hironobu Sakaguchi is coming to the UK to promote it. Sakaguchi will address the British Academy of Film and Television Arts on Thursday 16th February, discussing his lengthy career and demonstrating his latest title. The event is open to the public and press, with tickets costing...
Wednesday25th Jan 2012
News Operation Rainfall Takes Aim at The Last Story
Time for round two
Last year a fan-based group, Operation Rainfall, launched an online campaign to petition Nintendo of America to localise three major Japanese Wii releases: Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower. The news that Xenoblade Chronicles will be released in North America is perhaps due to sales success in Europe, though...
Wednesday18th Jan 2012
News The Last Story Limited Edition Officially Confirmed
Out February
After the retailer leak of The Last Story's special edition, Nintendo has confirmed the limited edition of the game will be available from 24th February. The limited edition comes with a steelbook case — Nintendo's first in Europe — a seven-track Premium Soundtrack CD and an art booklet titled The Illustrations. It's available to...
Friday13th Jan 2012
News Retailers Leak The Last Story Limited Edition
Swiss retailer breaks cover
It appears that Nintendo of Europe is preparing a limited edition release for upcoming Japanese RPG The Last Story, due for release on 24th February. Initial rumours started to spread earlier this week, but images of the box art and packaging have since begun to surface. According to a Swiss retailer this release will...
Thursday8th Dec 2011
News Europe Gets The Last Story on 24th February
Are you ready?
Nintendo of Europe has confirmed that Wii RPG The Last Story will reach the continent on 24th February 2012. The long-awaited RPG from Final Fantasy legend Hironobu Sakaguchi's Mistwalker studio includes online multiplayer for up to six players simultaneously, with Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Co-operative modes all included...
Friday11th Nov 2011
News Pick the Alternate Artwork for Next Year's Big Wii RPGs
Flip-reverse it
Forget The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: this year's Wii coverage has been dominated by three other big Japanese games. Xenoblade Chronicles, Pandora's Tower and The Last Story have had gamers' eyes all year, and Nintendo of Europe wants to get you even more involved by asking you to help choose alternate cover art for the latter...
Monday10th Oct 2011
News Let There Be No Doubt - The Last Story is Australia-Bound
Three out of four ain't bad
Hironobu Sakaguchi's The Last Story will make its way to Europe and Australia next year, as the Australian Classification Board has granted the game an M certificate. That of course leaves North America as the only major English-speaking territory not to be looking forward to the game next year, but there's always hope...
Wednesday17th Aug 2011
News The Last Story and Pandora's Tower Grace Europe in 2012
The trio completed
Xenoblade Chronicles is out in Europe this Friday, but those gamers who thought it was part of Wii's last hurrah might want to rethink that, as Nintendo has confirmed that both The Last Story and Pandora's Tower will see the light of day in Europe in 2012. There's no word on a specific release date yet so they could arrive any...
Monday11th Jul 2011
News Sakaguchi: Last Story Gameplay Took Precedence Over Plot
Only his third game to do so after Final Fantasy I and VII
The Last Story is coming to Wii via Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy VII, but the titles share another unique similarity as well – Sakaguchi created the gameplay elements first, then the story, for all three. There are... places in games such as the moment...
