Square Enix brings freemium RPG to Japanese social network

RPG-maker Square Enix's "exploration" of the social game space seems to be continuing apace -- in Japan, at least. SiliconEra reports that the company has released classical RPG Knights of the Crystal on Japanese social network GREE.

With a look reminiscent of the company's popular Final Fantasy series (thanks to Final Fantasy Tactics A2 artist Ryoma Ito), the game is reportedly a standard turn-based RPG in the Square Enix mold. One major difference from most Square Enix RPGs, though, is that the game is being offered as a free-to-play game on browsers and mobile phones, with money generated from in-game item sales.

This isn't the first time Square Enix has dabbled in Japanese social gaming -- previous titles on GREE include historical tactics game Sengoku Ixa and farming adventure game Chocobo's Crystal Tower. The company hasn't been nearly as active (or, um, active at all) in the American social gaming scene, but they've given every indication that they're interested in breaking in.

Final Fantasy Brigade arrives on mobile (in Japan) this month

Back in October, Square Enix and DeNA announced that a social Final Fantasy game was in the works, but revealed few details. At a press conference in Tokyo today, the duo announced that the game, called Final Fantasy Brigade, will go into closed beta in mid-December and will launch to the public in late December on the Mobage social gaming platform in Japan.

In Final Fantasy Brigade, each player will take command of an airship and explore "the Final Fantasy universe," by joining up with friends to complete quests and earn experience points. The game will be very Final Fantasy in nature, and will include things like magic crystals, monsters and special abilities. You will also be able to go head-to-head against friends, and see who has the one airship posse to rule them all.

Final Fantasy Brigade: Will it be a hit or a flop? Sound off in the comments below.

Final Fantasy Brigade arrives on mobile (in Japan) this month

Back in October, Square Enix and DeNA announced that a social Final Fantasy game was in the works, but revealed few details. At a press conference in Tokyo today, the duo announced that the game, called Final Fantasy Brigade, will go into closed beta in mid-December and will launch to the public in late December on the Mobage social gaming platform in Japan.

In Final Fantasy Brigade, each player will take command of an airship and explore "the Final Fantasy universe," by joining up with friends to complete quests and earn experience points. The game will be very Final Fantasy in nature, and will include things like magic crystals, monsters and special abilities. You will also be able to go head-to-head against friends, and see who has the one airship posse to rule them all.

Final Fantasy Brigade: Will it be a hit or a flop? Sound off in the comments below.