Live from SDCC 2008: Square-Enix dazzles yet again

4:46 PM on 07.26.2008   |   Colette Bennett

I may sound like a fangirl, and perhaps I am, but I am assured of one thing about Square-Enix: they rarely fail to disappoint. I pored over our New York Comic Con coverage of their booth with relish and a touch of jealousy, and I was very excited to be able to meet with them at this year's San Diego Comic Con and check out some of their new and upcoming offerings.

My Tomopop pick for the booth was the Play Arts Shiva motorcycle seen above, which was one of two figures made from upcoming RPG Final Fantasy XIII. According to my lovely Square-Enix guide, the two Shiva figures can actually be detached out of the main body, making it the coolest thing I saw just on principal. Also pictured (see gallery) is a beautiful sculpt of Lightning, Final Fantasy XIII's leading lady. There is no current release date for this figures, but you can be sure to hear it from us as soon as one is announced.

Four Trading Arts Dissidia prototypes were also shown, and I was surprised by the size -- these are slightly larger than most Trading Arts figures you are used to seeing. Squall and Tidus are in this set and have the same level of painstakingly perfect detail that previous Trading Arts figures have featured. Also no price or release information on these yet, although we will likely find out more before the end of the year.

Three fully painted Crisis Core figures took my breath away, including Zack sporting what I think of as his "porcupine haircut", Aeris in her new dress as shown in the game and what may be my favorite Cloud of all the Square-Enix versions of him. Four small, vividly painted figures of various summons from each game were shown as well. These will be available in Square's merchandise store very soon.

Of course, all the most stunning pieces from the Masterpiece Arts series were on display as well, including the Judge Master Gabranth from Final Fantasy XII, which I learned has a fully sculpted face and hair underneath the unremovable helmet. How's that for attention to detail? Here's to hoping Square-Enix never debut their own credit card, because the moment they do, I'll be well on my way to bankruptcy faster than you can say "kweh?".