A low turn-out for this year's spring TGS... and FF IX almost a no-show.

 April 1st, 2000 - It doesn't seem so long ago that we were reporting on the 1998 Tokyo Game Show and Final Fantasy VIII. Now, with the arrival of the year 2000 and Spring, it's time for the Tokyo Game Show once again, only this time we're reporting on Final Fantasy IX!

Easily the biggest title at the show (at least on paper), Final Fantasy IX pulled large crowds but Square failed to deliver the goods - all that was shown was a rolling video (and a short one at that). After a short showcase of Square's Driving Emotion Type-S, a large crystal appears on the screen with a familiar image of VIVI lying on the pavement in the rain, followed by around a 30 second blitz of FMV sequences thrown together. And that was that: Square's Final Fantasy IX presence at the spring Tokyo Game Show. Very disappointing considering how close the Japanese release is (July 19th).

What Fans Have Been Waiting For?

Mentioned as 'the final work in this era of the series', Square intend to go out with a bang with the last Final Fantasy on the PlayStation1, and it certainly looks as though they've given it some thought. Returning to the 'roots' of Final Fantasy with mages, knights, townsfolk and even dragons, of Final Fantasy IV and V fame, Square hope to bring the graphical realisation of VII and VIII and make this Final Fantasy evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

All the major cities of Final Fantasy IX are flying (or floating) structures that prevail high in the sky, amongst the clouds, so expect many an adventure high above the land.

The world is generally prosperous, apart from our hero Zidane Tribal, who, after a harsh up-bringing, turned to thieving to survive.

Hi-Resolution Screenshots VIVI looking on... The huge Alexander-type structure protects a castle which holds one of the coveted crystals. Airships circle the huge structure at the centre of the metropolis Lindsgi. We're pretty sure that Steiner's wearing eye-shadow... none-the-less, he still looks mean! :) Zidane looks shocked about something... maybe it's the weather. We've seen this picture before.. and we're sticking by it being a huge island in the clouds. VIVI talks to some very small townsfolk - some look like soldiers. Steiner looks onto a Airship. Look at those mountains in the background!