FFIV2 Coming to XBLA?

The Final Fantasy franchise's udders must be pretty raw by now, because Square Enix just can't milk it enough. Thirteen core games, numerous spinoffs, pseudosequels, strategy titles, action figures, and straight to DVD movies later, and the brand seems stronger than ever. Sweet Christmas, that's a lot of milk!

Their latest dairy strategy involves continuing the stories of the most popular installments of the main franchise. FFX got its own sequel, and FF7 has become a cottage industry unto itself. Last year, Sqeenix released a followup to one of my favorites, the SNES's Final Fantasy IV, with the mobile phone exclusive Final Fantasy IV: The After, an episodic adventure told in classic 16-bit style. (Could there be a more awkward subtitle? No. And that's why it's brilliant.)

But since I don't have a cellular plan in Japan, there's no way I could play it. Bummer.

Until it's comes out on the Xbox Live Arcade, that is. 1up has uncovered a mysterious URL on the Japanese Xbox 360 site that seems to suggest room is being made for FF4:tA on the online service. If so, that's just one step closer to an English-language release.

Please, Squeenix, make this happen! I must know the fates of Cecil, Rosa, and that other guy! (Haven't played it in a while, so my memory's all spoony.)

Source: Wired