August 10, 2006 - Following its surprise announcement this past week, we at last have solid details on Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book. This latest Final Fantasy spin off is set for Japanese DS release this Winter.
An adventure game staring some of your favorite Final Fantasy mascot characters, Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book kicks off when the Final Fantasy black magician brings a picture book onto the Chocobo farm. This book is actually home to the great devil Bebuzu, and it sucks the entire farm into its pages. Chocobo heads on an adventure with the white and black magicians in order to stop Bebezu from reviving himself to full form.
Chocobo and the Magic Picture Book combines field exploration like that of an RPG, with card-based battles. You're free to move about through the game's picture book influenced world. Encounter an enemy, and you find yourself in a card battle, referred to officially as a "Pop-Up Duel." You and your enemies take turns sending out cards to perform attacks. Details beyond this have yet to be revealed.
The game is being produced by Yuki Yokoyama, who previously worked on Drakengard 2 and Fullmetal Alchemist. This is his production debut. Speaking with Famitsu, Yokoyama promised a game with a full storyline that will make you laugh and cry. This isn't a dungeon crawler, he noted.
Square Enix has yet to announce Chocobo's new outing for stateside release
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