Square Enix today confirmed that Final Fantasy XIII will will release in the U.S. and Europe on March 9, 2010. This comes a little under three months after the planned Japanese launch of the anticipated RPG on December 17, 2009.
“We know that our fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installation of the franchise –Final Fantasy XIII will exceed all expectations,” said John Yamamoto, president and CEO of Square Enix. “Coming simultaneously to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for the first time, Final Fantasy XIII will be available to all players who are looking for the most immersive gaming experience of 2010.”
Additionally, the company announced that Leona Lewis will provide the theme song for Final Fantasy XIII. The Grammy-nominated singer will lend her song My Hands from her upcoming album "Echo." Lewis' first album, "Spirit," went sextuple platinum.
Yes, there is Western pop in Final Fantasy XIII.
"When Square Enix approached Leona about including her song, My Hands, in Final Fantasy XIII, she was honored to be partnered with such an iconic and groundbreaking video game series," said Tom Corson, EVP/GM, RCA Music Group. "Leona is a natural fit with the game’s powerful themes and strong female protagonist. We’re delighted to be part of this effort, bringing great musical artistry to Final Fantasy XIII which is a riveting and dynamic gaming experience."
Lewis is the first Western singer to perform a theme song for a Final Fantasy game (Sayuri Sugawara will sing the Japanese theme songs) and we feel she's an appropriate choice for the franchise. For anyone who has any doubts about her (or doesn't know who she is), we suggest you listen to My Hands from "Echo," which we think matches the emotional tenor of the often melancholy Final Fantasy series.
