It's not unheard of for a developer to take the latest installment of a popular RPG franchise in a different direction. What exactly does XSEED have planned for Wild Arms XF?

Scenario writer and producer Akifumi Kaneko answers that question and more in the full article after the jump.

After we got wind of XSEED's recent announcement that they would be publishing Media.Vision's Wild Arms XF in North America, we were also able to get our hands on a few more screenshots of the Wild Arms XF characters in action.

View the screenshots after the jump!

Turn-based RPG gameplay never quite looked this exciting. We found a new video featuring gameplay from Media.Vision's Wild Arms XF, and it certainly looks like a game that's filled to the brim with action.

How so? Well, in addition to your standard magic attacks, you've got characters who throw their enemies into the air, following up their vicious throw with a powerful body slam straight down into the ground. Sure, these guys may be pixelated warriors in Wild Arms XF, but they definitely pack a mean punch.

Oh, and did we mention that they have these insane battle yells, which we like to call battle grunts? We know they're being serious in a life and death match and all, but those yells are fun to watch. In any case, what are you waiting for? Get to watching Wild Arms XF's video now!

With preparations for Wild Arms Cross Fire (XF) for the PSP well under way in Japan, we were beginning to wonder what else was missing from the game's pre-launch itinerary. We already know that Media.Vision's latest title will feature inter-connectivity with the PS2's Wild Arms 5, and that it's a turn-based strategy game which will incorporate a hex grid system not unlike that from The Fourth Detonator.

There's also our recent barrage of screenshots and scans, as well as the official site which just beefs up our anticipation to levels even Luceid would drool over. And to top it all off, for today, we'll be bringing in the game's official trailer (once again, from Japan). While it doesn't share that much gameplay teasers, it should give us glimpses of the XF's upcoming characters - more importantly, the game's tunes. Enjoy the video!

On a parting note - we're not sure if it's just us, but the art's decidedly more rounded this time around - plus points for the dudes who can tell us who this latest game's character artist is!

It is true that it took developer Media.Vision quite a while before releasing concrete details and visuals for Wild Arms XF. But judging from what we've seen and known so far, it feels like the wait is actually worth it.

We're not too certain how the background story of XF is related to PlayStation 2 (PS2) title Wild Arms Vth Vanguard. The only thing that's been confirmed is that there will be a connection between the PS2 and the PSP version, as for the "how", well we all just have to wait and see. Accordingly, this "connection" will allow players to unlock sixth bosses in Vth Vanguard while XF will benefit through the addition of in-game items.

Wild Arms XF is RPG in nature and will be using a hex grid system instead of the traditional grid making the title 2D. It is being planned for a Summer release in Japan. Quite unfortunately, there is still no word concerning the release date for other regions.

See the rest of the screenshots after the jump!

And so, after six months since it was first announced, we're finally getting some actual screenshots for Media.Vision's contribution to the PSP game library, Wild Arms XF (Cross Fire). Of course, we've seen those tiny little pictures from the scans that we posted previously, but then again, nothing beats an up close look on this title's game environment.

The screenshots that we have here clearly show the hex grid system that is implemented in the game. As mentioned in the previous Famitsu scan, each hex has its own properties which will affect a unit's speed and range of movement. For example, a hex that indicates rough terrain or is elevated can somehow impede a character's advance towards a target.

Anyway, the game still remains undated, so until we get new updates on this title, enjoy the screenies.

After a long wait since it was announced last year, some light is finally being shed on the details for upcoming PSP title, Wild Arms XF (a.k.a., Wild Arms Cross Fire). To herald the release of this game which is due this summer, Sony and Media.Vision have finally opened the official website for this title. Although the site does not indicate any official release date for Wild Arms XF as of yet, it does confirm other things.

First, the site confirms that with the help of a USB cable, you can connect your PSP to your PS2 in order to unlock certain elements in Wild Arms Vth Vanguard (PS2) and Wild Arms XF. The connections allow the player to access 6 secret bosses in Vth Vanguard, while XF will gain access to better items, rewards, as well as access to some special events.

Th website itself has just opened and still does not contain a lot of material. However, we do learn that a recent Famitsu article on the game has revealed the battle system for Wild Arms XF (as shown by these scans from Jeux-France... is it just us or have the scans somehow been vandalized...?). As far as we can make from the scans, the game will be making use of a hex grid system, with each hex having its own surface property and height value. These properties and values affect the movement of your party members. Speaking of movement, unlike in other turn-based games where all your party members dish out their attacks, and their turn, and then wait for the enemies to finish their attacks as well, Wild Arms XF character movements are based on their "RES" stat. This means that enemies and allies can take turns one after the other (remember Final Fantasy X? Something like that).

We're sure that the scans have a lot to reveal, and anyone who wants to translate it for the general public are more than welcome to try (minus those big, red words on the page) .

 

Yesterday, we posted that there's going to be a Wild Arms title headed for the PSP. But we just got word: it won't be a port. We repeat: Wild Arms XF is. not. a. PORT! To make it clearer, it's going to be an original title and not a remake. [insert high school girl squeal]

Get your ARMS loaded and your golems geared. Media.Vision is developing yet another steampunk, wild-wild-western game for us. Although not much else is known as of now, Wild Arms XF (read as "Cross Fire") has its website up. And look what we're able to pick up?

And oh! oh! oh! What's that on top of the title? If you can't read it, click to enlarge! It seems that they're already hinting at what kind of story we could expect. As of now, we can only speculate. And so, speculate we shall... You know the drill! Comment!