SQUARE ENIX SHIPS FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST AND THE BROKEN ANGEL TO RETAILERS JANUARY 18, 2005
Action RPG Traces Journey of Two Brothers on Life-Changing Quest for the PlayStation®2 Computer Entertainment System
LOS ANGELES (December 27, 2004) - Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square EnixTM interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that FULLMETAL ALCHEMISTTM and the Broken Angel (FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST) will ship to retailers nationwide on January 18, 2005. The action role-playing game will be exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST expands the story in the anime series which airs on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming. The tale follows the adventures of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric on their quest to make right the mistakes of their past.
"The early success of the anime series on Cartoon Network shows the great amount of potential the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise holds in the U.S. market," said Ichiro Otobe, president and COO of Square Enix, Inc. "We anticipate that American players will find the game to be as addicting as the Japanese fans have found it. The Fullmetal Alchemist franchise, which encompasses comic books, a novel, TV animation, and games, has enjoyed a phenomenal amount of success in Japan."
In a forbidden act of alchemy, Edward and Alphonse tried to raise their mother from the dead and lost their left leg and entire body, respectively. Immediately after the accident, Ed sacrificed his right arm to save Alphonse's soul and transplanted him into a suit of armor. The action begins as the two brothers head towards Central City in search of the "Philosopher's Stone," the only object that can return them to their natural states.
Based on the wildly popular anime and manga series in Japan, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST has made its way to America, beginning with episodic programming on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The series spans 51 episodes in a story that ranges from tear-jerking drama to hilarious comedy. The anime series has been extremely well received by fans and media alike with a DVD release set for 2005.
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST for the PlayStation 2 expands the tale in the anime series and is accompanied by fast-paced gameplay in which players can " alchemize" objects for use in battle. The story takes place in a lost chapter from the anime series during the Elric brothers' journey to Central. With animated cut scenes and in-game graphics that are the same quality as the TV series, the game ties in seamlessly with its anime counterpart. The key to gameplay depends on how well the player utilizes the versatile battle system. Over 50 transmutable objects ranging from trees to trash cans litter the landscape, allowing the practice of alchemy to have unlimited potential. In addition to controlling Ed, players can also equip the sub-character Alphonse and call him to aid during heated battles.
FULLMETAL ALCHEMISTTM and the Broken Angel has a suggested retail price of U.S. $39.99 and is rated "T" (Teen).
About Development Team - Racjin Co., Ltd
Established in 1995, Racjin Co., Ltd (Racjin) is based in Osaka, Japan and has gained a reputation for developing video games that utilize high -end technology to ante up the fun factor. Racjin conducts its technological research with the end goal of providing outstanding fun to gamers worldwide.
About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 60 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUESTTM, which has sold over 35 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 Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, CA and Seattle, WA. 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 www.square-enix.com.
® 2004 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. ® HIROMU ARAKAWA/SQUARE ENIX, MBS, ANX, BONES, dentsu 2004. FINAL FANTASY is a registered trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX and FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. CARTOON NETWORK, ADULT SWIM and logos are trademarks of and ® 2004 Cartoon Network. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts:
Felice Wu/Kumiko Hakushi, Square Enix, Inc., 310.846.0400
Doug Schneider/Natalie Svider, Ruder Finn, 310.479.9929