Celebrating 25 years of adventurous fantasy

Celebrating 25 years of adventurous fantasy

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE

- Twenty-five years ago, four noble youths, each holding a darkened orb of their own, set out in an adventure to return light to the crystal, vanquish evil and restore peace to the world. Their two-dimensional journey on the now-extinct Famicom marks what gamers all over the world would call the landmark of the RPG (Role-Playing Video Game) genre - the birth of the best-loved video game series, Final Fantasy.

For 25 years, Square Enix (originally Square), has charmed the world with one adventure after another, on platforms that range from the Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System) and Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) to PlayStation, Gameboy Advance, PlayStation Portable (PSP) to iOS and Android. To celebrate two-and-a-half decades of giving gamers the world over an adventure full of exciting and heart-wrenching plots, gorgeous, ground-breaking graphics and music scores that have been performed by orchestras all over the world, Square Enix is releasing "Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box", which contains all 13 main games, plus limited edition goodies.

Those who have the guts to buy this box set, priced at JPY35,000 (13,000 baht), surely must love the series enough to have at least played each instalment once - and the discs would probably be meant as collector's items than for real use. This is because in order to play all 13 games, you need to have four Sony systems - an original PlayStation (PS1), a PSP, a PlayStation 2 (PS2), and a PlayStation 3 (PS3). Final Fantasy through Final Fantasy IX, with the exception of Final Fantasy III, works with PS1, while Final Fantasy X-XII with PS2, Final Fantasy XIII with PS3 and Final Fantasy III with PSP. Or, if you're lucky enough to possess a rare PS3 with backwards compatibility, you still would need a PSP to play Final Fantasy III.

Aside from the 22-game discs (one for each game except for VII,-IX, which come with four discs each), the box set also includes an impressive kit of goodies that range from a special anniversary video disc, Crystal ArtWorks - an anniversary visual art collection, a two-disc anniversary music CD, Final Fantasy XIV Mogu Mogu earring code, and a mini replica of Final Fantasy's 25th anniversary visual and stand by the celebrated artist behind the entire series, Yoshitaka Amano.

The box set isn't the only merchandise that Square Enix is sending out to celebrate its most celebrated video game franchise. Three special book volumes covering the game versions I-XIV, Final Fantasy Memorial Ultimania, will also be released for fans to take a visual journey back in time to appreciate the original artwork of their favourite characters from the entire series. They are priced at JPY3,255 (1,200 baht) each.

Both the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box and the Final Fantasy Memorial Ultimania books will be available through Square Enix's e-store only, from Dec 18.


TRAVEL IN STYLE

- There's a way to play it safe, but with a slight difference, when it comes to picking up a smart, stylish travel companion - a trolley travel bag.

Tumi, a luxury travel, business and lifestyle accessory brand, has released a new collection of the Tegra Lite White case, which is made from Miliken & Company's Tegris thermoplastic composite in a combination of great production and design with an impact-resistance hard-side case - 65% lighter than fibreglass composite. This durable, lightweight luggage in international carry-on size is designed for people constantly travelling.

Another interesting choice from the Tumi family is the Black Alpha Lightweight Carry-On. This premium product features a hanger, a special zip for a removable suit sleeve and a front U-zip pocket for easy access. The Black Alpha Lightweight is available in a variety of sizes. This collection will be launched in every Tumi store, including 1st floor, Gaysorn (call 02-656-1221) and at CentralWorld (call 02-251-8522). Visit tumi.com and facebook.com/tumitravel


PERSONALISED TAILORING

- Watches aside, a nice shirt is probably a guy's best friend. The only problem is that while it's easy for girls to melt at the sight of any sparkling diamond, men's shirts aren't so impressive, unless they are a perfect fit. Thanks to local favourite premium shirt boutique, Duly, there's a new way to present the perfect gift for a gentleman this festive season.

Duly's "Made-to-Measure Gift Box" is the latest service designed specially for the gifting season. Each box will contain a piece of the finest Italian cotton fabric handpicked for the recipient, and a Duly gift card. The person receiving the gift can take these to a Duly store for a made-to-measure service. After being carefully measured, customers can design their own custom-made shirt with details to fit their own taste and style.

Available at Lala Duly Sukhumvit 49 (call 02-662-6647/8) and on 2nd floor, Royal Wing, Siam Kempinski Hotel (call 02-251-8818).

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