16 February 2008
Ferry

The World Ends With You release date is April 22 for the Square Enix DS action-RPG

Square Enix revealed the American launch date of its new action-RPG, The World Ends With You, on April 22nd, 2008. Coming exclusively to the Nintendo DS at a price of $39.99, the creators of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts bring a vibrant and stylish world to a new generation of gamers. The game was previously known by its Japanese title: It’s a Wonderful World.

Featuring an intuitive combat system, The World Ends With You is an immersive and innovative adventure set in modern-day Tokyo. The award-winning development team of Square Enix and Jupiter (of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories fame) brings its unique vision of the streets of Shibuya, the city’s trendiest youth culture center. The game takes major influences from Japan’s latest cultural trends including music, fashion, food and design.

The storyline begins as Neku Sakuraba, an unsociable 15-year-old boy, unexpectedly wakes up in the Shibuya shopping district of Tokyo, Japan. While trying to piece together his rude awakening, he receives a strange text message warning him that he will cease to exist unless he accomplishes a certain mission. Although he barely has time to grasp what is happening to him, he commences his assigned task in the mysterious streets of Shibuya.

Key features include:
* Distinctive modern art style created by a team of artists led by Tetsuya Nomura, world-renowned character designer of the upcoming Fabula Nova Crystallis project which includes Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII.
* Innovative Stride-Cross Battle System allows players to control two characters simultaneously, unleashing special attacks with the stylus.
* Collect a vast array of custom-designed pins, each with a powerful psychic ability that can be activated with the right touch or sound command.
* Customize characters with Shibuya’s coolest fashions and exchange items with other players via Mingle Mode.
* Experience an amazing soundtrack combining a fusion of musical influences from hip-hop to rock to electronica.
* Battle with up to three friends in Tin Pin Slammer, an exciting and fast-paced mini-game, via local wireless connection.

Watch the game intro that asks the question “What would you do if you only had 7 days to live?”

Watch Stride-Cross Battle System gameplay: