Square Enix has released some new media and associated details for Final Fantasy Explorers. Fans of the main series will recognise some of the characters shown, with FFVI's Terra, FFVII's Cloud, FFVIII's Squall, and FFXIII's Lightning confirmed as appearing in the game.

The media also shows the Monster Research Lab. Players can take a specific drop known as a Soul Stone to the lab and use it to create monsters that can be added to the party. Two new locations make appearances as well, with the Aruha Wetlands being largely taken up by a poisonous swamp that drains HP, and the Jamenil Mountain being home to the dragon Bahamut.

Bahamut is well known as a summon from the main Final Fantasy, and that role is continued in Explorers. He is joined by Dryas, who can be found in the Aruha Wetlands and is able to cause cause poison, darkness, and paralysis status effects.

Finally, some new jobs are on show. Dark Knights use a sickle, and make up for having a slower attack speed with a high attack and range. Geomancers use an ability that allows their attack power to grow with each landed attack; however, early attacks may prove to be fairly weak while the ability takes effect. Beastmasters wield tomahawks and can use their special technique to absorb an enemy's power. Dragoons have the traditional ability to jump high into the air with their lance and cause great damage when they come back to earth.

Final Fantasy Explorers is due to be released for Nintendo 3DS in Japan on December 18, 2014. A release for North America or Europe has not been announced at this time.

Click here to view more screens.


Click here to view more art.