After last week confirming release dates for some of its most anticipated titles of early 2008, Square Enix has done the same for North America, with Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Towers of Mirror, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates and, perhaps most excitingly, The World Ends With You a.k.a It’s A Wonderful World.

Just as with Europe, Square Enix has announced that The World Ends With You will hit North American shores sometime in Spring 2008. Dragon Quest Swords and FFCC: Ring of Fates, meanwhile, will arrive on February 26 and March 28 respectively.

Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen asnd the Towers of Mirror - February 26, 2008

As the name suggests, Dragon Quest Swords requires players to master a blade, one which is controlled via the motion-sensing wizardry of the Wii Remote. You play a young man who lives a peaceful life at the foot of Avalonia Castle - that is until your sixteenth birthday on which you are sent to undertake the Walk of the Worthy, a trial of strength that all Avalonian men must undertake.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. commented, “We are delighted to be announcing our first Wii title for PAL territories. The DRAGON QUEST series is a phenomenon in Japan that has already sold over 43 million units worldwide, but is still relatively new to Europe. With today’s announcement of DRAGON QUEST SWORDS and the forthcoming release of DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: Joker on the Nintendo DS™, the series is set to charm more fans throughout the world.”

The World Ends With You - Spring 2008

The World Ends With You centres on Neku, who wakes up dazed and confused in the middle of Tokyo. On coming to, he receives a message on his mobile phone that delivers the terrible news that he will cease to exist unless he completes a series of challenges. With death staring him in the face, Neku wastes no time in saving trying to save his own skin.

Most of the gameplay focuses on finding clues and battling Noise. Players can use Neku’s mindreading abilities to hear people’s thoughts by using the touch screen of the Nintendo DS. The game’s combat system, called the “Stride Cross Battle System”, uses both screens of the Nintendo DS. Neku has three partners, one in each and specific chapter of the game. The touch screen is used to move and attack with Neku, whose abilities depend on the badges equipped. On the top screen, movement can be controlled with the D-Pad, which is tapped for specific techniques.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates - March 11, 2008

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates is the sequel to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles for the Nintendo GameCube. Ring of Fates takes place in a time when “The red moon shone, and people feared the crystal, beginning with a pair of fraternal twins, Yuri and Cherinka, as the heroes in a tale of family bonds.

Most of the gameplay takes place on the top screen. The touch screen shows maps, as well as stylus access for different weapon attacks. Special attacks have also been confirmed in the game. By pressing the right shoulder button, the screens will swap allowing enemies to be attacked just by touching them with the stylus. If done correctly, chained attacks can be performed.

John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “With a strong focus on action and exploration Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates offers an exciting, fast-paced adventure. If you’ve never played a Final Fantasy game before, Ring of Fates is the perfect introduction and offers even more fun when played with friends.”

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