Social game Final Fantasy Brigade hits 2 million users

By Anthony John Agnello March 22, 2012

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nothing says “thank you” quite like a fat chocobo. Square-Enix, being the personable purveyors of Japanese-style role-playing games that they are, rewarded players of the new social network-based Final Fantasy Brigade with a bunch of free items on Wednesday. Among those items was a Debu Chocobo, a morbidly obese version of the Final Fantasy series’ trademark birds that coughs up special items and abilities. Why is Square-Enix so giving? Final Fantasy Brigade hit two million players this week.

The number is impressive. For starters, Brigade is the series’ first traditional role-playing entry on social platforms. That is to say, it’s a Final Fantasy game with an overworld and dungeons that’s played over mobile phones. Players must team up to achieve goals and exchange items. In even simpler terms, it’s a cross between Final Fantasy and FarmVille.

What’s more, Brigade only officially came out in January, meaning that it’s currently growing at a rate of approximately one million users per month.

There is no word on when or on what platforms Brigade might come to the U.S., but the game is certainly one to watch. With sales of large scale Final Fantasy releases like Final Fantasy XIII shrinking and the failure of the Final Fantasy XIV online multiplayer game, small scale, socially-based games like Brigade may be the future of the franchise.

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Anthony John Agnello

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Anthony John Agnello is a writer living in New York. He works as the Community Manager of Joystiq.com and his writing has…

Gaming

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: all piano sheet music locations and rewards

Cloud playing the piano in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

While there's no shortage of ways to distract yourself while playing Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, one of the most unexpected minigames is the surprisingly deep piano system. In most of the major hub towns you encounter across the expansive world, Cloud can find a piano to sit down at and tickle the keys. You're free to play any song you want in free play, but you can turn this system into a full-on rhythm game, almost like Guitar Hero, by collecting sheet music of some of the game's most iconic tracks. There's even an NPC near each piano who will reward you if you get a high enough rank on each song. Cloud may not be the most expressive in his words, but he can sure play the piano with heart. Here is where you can find all the sheet music and what rewards await if you can master them.
Where to find all sheet music

Sheet music, thankfully, isn't hidden away in chests or has to be purchased for crazy amounts of Gil, but a few do have some hidden requirements. Each new composition is found on a piano in the world and is free to snag once you sit down. Even if you don't feel like playing right then and there, make sure you always at least grab the music to add to your collection so you don't have to backtrack later and get it. There are eight in total to find, and some will only come later in the story, but none are missable once you open up fast travel back to previous areas. This is the natural order you can collect them.
On Our Way
Our first piece of music can be picked up once you hit Chapter 4. During this section, go to the Crow's Nest town in the Junon region, which you can only enter by doing the "When Words Won't Do" side quest. Once you complete this quest and can freely enter the town, hit up the bar and grab this tune.
Tifa's Theme
After a rather exciting cruise to Costa del Sol in Chapter 6, you can add this piece to your collection by making a quick stop at the fancy Royal Crown Hotel.
Barret's Theme
Not much further into the game in Chapter 7 you will visit Barret's old hometown of Corel. The Rock Bottom Bar is waiting with his song.
Cinco de Chocobo
Chapter 9 takes you through the town of Gongaga. Even a town way out in the forest has a piano, which means yet another song to snag.
Two Legs? Nothin' to it
One chapter later, in Chapter 10, you need to do a little exploring in Cosmo Canyon to find your way to the piano, but the icon on your map won't lead you astray.
Aerith's Theme
Perhaps the most iconic song in the entire game, if not the franchise, is hidden behind a completely optional side quest. Once you reach Chapter 11, return to Nibelheim and do the "White-Haired Angel" side quest. It may seem totally irrelevant, but the quest ends with you playing and collecting this song.
Let the Battles Begin!
Once you prove your skills and get an A rank or better on all prior songs, you will get this new one as a reward from the NPC Dorian next to all pianos.
One-Winged Angel
We're not sure if fighting Sephiroth or getting this song is harder. If you want to play this terrifying arrangement, you need to donate all 88 Treasure Trove items to Johnny. This more or less requires you to 100% the entire game
All song rewards
For every song you A rank, Dorian will give you a prize when you talk to him. Here's everything you can get:

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth makes one impactful change to Barret’s story

Barret talking to Dyne in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

This article contains story spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Ahead of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's launch, fans were buzzing about how the sequel would tackle Aerith's story. The holy healer was a major focus of Square Enix's marketing, making it clear that one of gaming's most iconic moments would be pivotal to the adventure. But for me, I was more curious about how another tragedy would play out: the tale of Barret and Dyne.

Gaming

All Cactuar Capers locations in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Cactaur Caper

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is overflowing with fun ways to interact with its world, many of which are minigames that task you with completing challenging objectives or winning games. One of the more laid-back of these minigames is Cactuar Capers, which you'll have to complete when trying to earn some beachwear in Costa Del Sol. This scavenger hunt will send you to take photos of pink Cactuars that have been painted on various objects around the town. In this guide, we'll tell you how Cactuar Capers works and where to find all of the pink Cactuars so you can get to the beach in style.
All Cactuar Capers locations
There are four pink Cactuars to find in Costa Del Sol during the Cactuar Capers scavenger hunt, and they're scattered throughout the town in various spots — with some more cleverly hidden than others. You'll need to find all four of them to complete Cactuar Capers, which can be a bit of a hassle since all you have in your possession to help with that is a map that gives you general locations.

Luckily, the Shinra executive you're teamed up with will be nearby each of the pink Cactuars commenting on how they must be in that area somewhere. This will help you discern where to look, though our photos further down below will show you precisely where the pink Cactuars are hiding.