LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix(R) interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY(R) CRYSTAL CHRONICLES(R): THE CRYSTAL BEARERS(R) for Wii(TM) will be available at North American retailers on December 26, 2009.

This latest installment in the franchise offers a fresh take on the beloved CRYSTAL CHRONICLES universe, launching the series into the action-adventure genre and onto the Wii system. FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS combines the storytelling depth, immersive event scenes and graphical quality of the FINAL FANTASY franchise with motion-driven gameplay and the ability to freely explore the game world.

Enter a world where realistic gameplay and fantastical art direction combine for a truly unique experience on Wii. Accessible for gamers of all ages and levels of expertise, FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS invites players to embark on an unforgettable adventure this holiday season.

STORY

A thousand years have passed since the events of the original FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES. The destruction of the Yuke Crystal during the Great War had at once brought the victorious Lilty Tribe prosperity, the defeated Yuke Tribe apparent annihilation, and the world a new age of science and reason. In this new era exists a rare breed of powerful beings called "crystal bearers," whose seemingly magical abilities have led them to be feared and scorned by the public. The young mercenary Layle is one such crystal bearer, who has been hired to escort the new passenger airship Alexis, the pinnacle of Lilty technology and a symbol of their current dominance. However, when the Alexis is suddenly besieged by a horde of monsters, Layle comes face-to-face with an adversary thought to have vanished from the pages of history, on a quest that may threaten the future of the world...

FEATURES

    --  Enjoy a new chapter of the series that takes place a thousand years
        after the events of the original FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES, where
        technology has advanced to its peak and magic is considered taboo
    --  Encounter the first FINAL FANTASY game developed exclusively for Wii,
        complete with motion-driven gameplay and intuitive controls that are
        accessible for gamers of all levels. Enjoy a variety of actions and
        third-person shooter style gameplay
    --  Step into the hero's shoes and experience the action first-hand!
        Control Layle's crystal bearer powers to battle adversaries,
        navigate through obstacles and move objects at will in a highly
        interactive environment
    --  Traverse the terrain, swing from high places or take a swim in a world
        in which all areas are open for exploration

    --  With an extra Wii Remote(TM), friends and family can jump in to assist
        the player in times of need

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES: THE CRYSTAL BEARERS will be available for Wii for $ 49.99. The official website can be found at http://www.thecrystalbearers.com.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST(R), which has sold over 50 million units worldwide - under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

Square Enix, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.

DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. CRYSTAL CHRONICLES and THE CRYSTAL BEARERS are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd., in the United States and/or other countries. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo.

SOURCE Square Enix, Inc.