As much as I hate Final Fantasy figurines, I have to admit that one looks pretty nice.

These sort of went unnoticed during the party, but sculpts of Cloud and Tifa in their original outfits have been revealed.

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/6...udtifa1di9.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3...udtifa2tu6.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7...udtifa3pi0.jpg

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/4...daytonaxu0.jpg

Frankly, I'm a little disappointed. When I first heard about these figures, I was given the impression that they would take the AC models of their bodies, and slightly modify the original outfits on them. Instead, these figures look to be keeping their original proportions, just slightly taller. Cloud is back to looking scrawny in both his neck and limbs while having a lanky torso, and while Tifa is better proportioned than previous works, overall she has too much of an anime doll look compared to her AC look.

Ohh, they look great! I'm especially pleased to see that they did include Aerith's staff, therefore not rendering her completely useless like Rinoa. Though definitely does look like they retained more of their original look than an AC redesign (heh we could always swap the heads on Cloud and Tifa for their AC counterparts), oh well, no biggie for me. Hopefully Tifa's hair won't interfere too much with her head movement, though likely to happen.

Another must buy set for me!

The FFVII figures look swank as hell and personally I'm glad they don't look like their updated AC looks otherwise they'd be too similar to the Cloud and Tifa figure already out save for costume.

I saw that they're also planning on releasing Judge Gabranth's helmet as a replica too....:D

I had that concern as well, but I was hoping for a sort of middle ground; keep the more realistic body types but update the old outfits accordingly. Like the Tech Demo.

This just feels like a case of same-old, same-old, a step backwards. But maybe they'll look better once they're colored.

Edit: There's some more pics here; the figures look a bit better based on the angles. There's also Gabranth's helmet, a lovely Aerith praying mini statue of some sort and....Tactics figures!?

http://ga.sbcr.jp/news/0705/043/index.html#32

Honestly, I'm happy they used the older outfits/look. FFAC's look kind of drab, and these will probably look better when they're colored anyway. Of course, the joint action kind of detracts for these anyway. But the best thing there has to be the bike:

http://ga.sbcr.jp/news/0705/043/images/44.jpg

The Lenneth thing and Gabranth's helmet are on the same level as the above.

Namely, the Awesome level.

CD sampler from SE party, Wonderful World and Dissidia in respective topics.

CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII- SPECIAL DISC
01. Theme of CRISIS CORE: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M9AVV8B4
02. Last Order -Crisis Mix-: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RD06I137

Credit to NeoStrikeDramon from gamefaqs for the uploads

The CC theme is pretty good. Different then what I was expecting, though not really surprised for it is the music that they play during the trailers.

The Last Order Remix is quite good. I can't remember how the original went since it's been a while since I've seen the anime, but this is still a good mix.

Thanks Kairi

I listened to the two tracks last night and I quite enjoyed the CC theme. It seems somewhat, but not exclusively, laid-back. Like Slayer X, I wasn't quite expecting that sort of music, but it I think it fits Zack.

I didn't think much of the LO Remix though.

Interesting interview regarding SE merchandising. They even mentioned Cloud's 6 piece fusion sword, apparently the reason why it'd been removed from the first series of Master Arms is because they couldn't get the hilt/base to work properly. Eg. how main sword's base changes between a diamond shape to a rectangular shape. Right now, at the request of Nomura, they've trying to achieve that. Hopefully it'll be in scale with the figure.

Heh, and interestingly they have seen the customizer's work too.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/790/790093p1.html

It's too bad about the bike. I'd so get that if one was in the works. :D

Looking forward to getting that sword!

So apparently they're gonna be making more figures, like Barret, Fran and even Nanaki. Hopefully they'll make one of Rude to go with Reno, and more FFVIII figs as they're only three so far.

Nomura flat out says no to remake. Too bad, would have been a nice little surprise for the 10th anniversary of FF7.

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/793/793956p1.html

Pretty much a confirmation, in my eyes. Browsed a few threads on other forums, and folks brought up all the dumbshit Nomura's said over the years that turned out false. Also, it runs counter to what SE is doing, which is remaking everything under the sun.

New Aerith play arts and statue pics from the latest issue of Hobby Japan. She looks great and can't wait to pick up the figure, again I'm very pleased that they included her staff. I wonder if she'll come with the basket of flowers. Unfortunately it looks like her dress will hinder much of her leg movement, just like Yuna. As for the statue, her face sculpt looks kinda 'meh'/out of place.

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/5...7p01eu1.th.jpghttp://img107.imageshack.us/img107/1...7p02id1.th.jpghttp://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9...7p03vf4.th.jpghttp://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8...7p04rl2.th.jpg

Question, what's the scale for the figures that Soldier posted? same as the other PlayArts figures (around 8'')?

yes same as the other playarts (they are made by them too)

I've seen this pattern before:

1. Deny rumors of remake, piss off customers
2. Secretly make Remake
3. Release info that ReMake is being made, customers doubly happy again.
4. ????
5. Massive Profit

Then again, maybe even SE knows that a cow can only be milked so much.

I'm pretty sure the remake might happen. SE damn know that there's a lot of people wanting it, and I'm pretty sure they didn't choose the intro of FFVII for the tech demo for nothing (they could have made any random cut-scene for a tech demo)

but with FFXIII, FFversusXIII and the other 3 FFXIII games that got announced not so long ago, I'm not sure SE has the time to make a FFVII remake for now... maybe after those projects.

Her face kind of looks like a mix of the original, AC, and Kingdom Hearts....Maybe that's why it looks out of place.

Although I like the City of the Ancients set.

Okay, I'm gonna go against the opinions of the majority here. I seriously don't think SE are gonna redo this, despite the massive calling of the fans. Like others have said, they have their hands full with several other games and I really don't expect them to bother with the remake after they've spent a good few years (probably) on the XIII franchise.

Although I'd love to be proved wrong. Go on, Squeenix. Prove me wrong.

Any date on when those figures are coming?

And I do think an FFVII remake is on the cards, when it's coming is more the case in my opinion.

Since much of the merchandising info goes here, I thought I'd just dump this in too.

Picked up the Master Arms set on Wednesday (they shipped out this week), and boy are these guys pricey. It costs about $40 CAD for one which is more or less the same as the Mechanical Arts. The set includes FFVIIAC Vincent's Cerberus, FFVIII Squall's Gunblade, FFVIII Seifer's Gunblade, and KH Sora's Kingdom Key (though I only opened the gunblades). All the weapons in the set come with a display stand, and the weapon's name and game it's from printed on the base.

The gunblades are probably the coolest and biggest ones. They're actually a lot bigger than I was expecting, maybe a 1/6 or 1/4 scale. The blade itself is made of metal, but the gun part is of plastic, though both are very detailed. With Squall's revolver you can actually pull out the bullet chamber thing with bullets actually loaded in it (though painted on). On Seifer's auto/pistol/handgun (what have you) it looks like you can actually remove the magazine/clip from his gun (though I haven't managed to pull it out just yet), plus the top part of the gun actually slides back (you know the one that releases the empty shell from the chamber). Also the hammer and trigger actually work on both gunblades, you can pull back the hammer and fire the trigger and it snaps back. Oddly enough though the gunblade's aren't referred to by the weapon's name just as Squall's Gunblade (Revolver) and Seifer's Gunblade (Hyperion).

Some pics

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/4...0725ng6.th.jpg
http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/4253/dsc00724qj8.jpg
http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/2...0726hf3.th.jpghttp://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8...0727pp1.th.jpghttp://img125.imageshack.us/img125/2...0728pz5.th.jpghttp://img256.imageshack.us/img256/9...0729wm0.th.jpg

Christ, that's almost $40USD for those things which means I'll pretty much be passing those up just like the Mechanical Arts and Creatures line. I mean they're a novel and interesting concept but given the size of the things they hardly a warrant a $20 pricetag let alone anything near $40.

While we're on the subject of the collectibles here's a look at the finished painted sculpts for the FFVII line:
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/4...paimageix6.jpg
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/7...7pabikenn5.jpg

Haha, yea the Master Arms are a bit of a rip. But I'll definitely buy the Master Arms of Cloud's fusion swords, should that ever get a release.

The finished paint job looks awesome! That Cloud + Hardy Daytona is a must buy set for me. Can't wait to purchase that line of figures.

EDIT:
The Cerberus is about 5 an' half inches long (approx. 14 cm), which is probably a 1/6 or 1/4 scale.

The hinge on the bottom front (of the trigger) actually works, so you can lower the barrel(s) to check out the cylinders. Each cylinder holds 6 bullets, so since a tri-barrel the gun's got 18 shots total, it's like a revolver x 3. Also, like the gunblades, the hammer and trigger work too.

Some pics of the Cerberus, as well as comparisons.

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4019/dsc00750jk0.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3...0753jn6.th.jpghttp://img72.imageshack.us/img72/527/dsc00751nf4.th.jpghttp://img72.imageshack.us/img72/761...0752qr2.th.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/807...0754bw9.th.jpghttp://img254.imageshack.us/img254/7...0756wm6.th.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9...0755bx8.th.jpghttp://img254.imageshack.us/img254/1...0758ma2.th.jpg

Not exactly related to FF7, but holy crap!!!!

http://i11.tinypic.com/63i17cp.jpg

http://www.square-enix.co.jp/se-shop/blog/

Yes they're exactly what you think they are, the ultimate/final weapons to their respective characters (Squall's Lionhart, Selphie's Strange Vision, Tidus' Caladbolg, Yuna's Nirvana, and Auron's Masamune)! No doubt that they are inscale with the Play Arts figures, they're a must buy for me!

Now it's only a matter of time before they annouce/make Cloud's fusion swords from AC as well as his Ultima Weapon from the game. Oh, could this also possibly mean a weapon for Rinoa too?!?!