Square Enix has announced that it is bringing a new DS title about Tokyo hipsters to Europe. The bizarre title will be entitled - for gaijin consumption -
The World Ends With You - a fact already well known to Mark SPOnG.
Having already seen the light of day in Japan as
Subarashiki Kono Sekai, the game will be the
Final Fantasy maker's first foray into the *ahem* real world. We'd describe it to you, but then you'd miss out on the Square PR machine's excellent description. Here's what it had to say:
"Set in Tokyo’s trendiest district, the story begins with the lead character Neku waking up to find a phone message stating he has only 7 days before he will cease to exist. Only with the coolest fashions, friends and fighting skills can Neku restore hope to the city’s population and prevent being stricken from existence altogether!"
That's right, it's going to be cool! We'd also assume that it will be set in Shibuya-ku. That's not all, however. Square tells us the game has "an achingly hip cast of characters" and will feature "a diverse fusion of bleeding-edge hip-hop, rock, and techno". Achingly hip! Bleeding edge! Coool!
Combat makes full use of the DS's touch screen, as well as bringing the oft-forgotten microphone into play. The game will also utilise the DS's wireless and Wi-Fi functionalities, enabling gamers to compete in mini games and trade clothing items.
To think, Square's president, Youichi Wada, was just saying how the
publisher's catalogue is misunderstood as being all about swords and sorcery.
Square's PR hyperbole aside, blending Japanese culture and fashion with an impending apocalypse is an intriguing proposition. SPOnG looks forward to seeing more of
The World Ends With You when it lands over here in Spring next year.