Bringing a sword to a fistfight — Final Fantasy’s Noctis to join ‘Tekken 7’

By Jon Martindale November 13, 2017

TEKKEN 7 - Noctis Lucis Caelum Reveal Trailer | PS4, XB1, PC

Final Fantasy XV‘s Noctis Lucis Caelum is joining the roster of

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Tekken 7 at the start of next year as part of its third downloadable content (DLC) pack. Announced by developer/publisher Bandai Namco with a new trailer, Noctis will make his appearance in spring 2018 following the already planned debut of fellow DLC character, Geese Howard.

The past week has been an exciting one for fighting game fans, with the announcement of a couple of intriguing franchise crossovers in different games. The Ninja Turtles have been announced as additions to the Injustice 2 roster, and now we’ve learned that Noctis is making the jump from Final Fantasy to Tekken. As the new trailer shows though, he’s a good fit for the side-on brawler.

As much as Noctis’ pals might like to have taken on this mission themselves, he ultimately decides it’s up to him to fulfill his friend’s request, and he heads into the tournament, fighting off human and ursine enemies alike. Along with some of his gravity-defying attacks from Final Fantasy XV, Noctis takes the bold step of bringing his sword into the otherwise fist and feet-focused fights.

Alongside the addition of the new character, the planned DLC release will also introduce a new stage, which as Polygon points out, is based on the Hammerhead Garage location from Final Fantasy XV. Noctis should feel right at home.

All of that was announced a this year’s Tekken World Tour finals which took place on November 11 and 12, with 22-year-old Byeong Mun Son, better known as Qudans, ending up the victor after a hard slog as Devil Jin.

Before fans have a chance to test out Noctis or the stage he comes with though, they’ll be able to take control of Geese Howard of SNK’s Fighting Fury fame. He’s an old pro at this type of brawling, and has been beating the snot out of opponents of various types since his original debut in 1991. He hasn’t lost a step though, and should provide great competition for both the existing roster and Noctis when he becomes available.

Howard is expected to become playable before the end of the year, following his original July unveiling. Noctis will follow up in the spring.

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Evergreen writer

Jon Martindale is a freelance evergreen writer and occasional section coordinator, covering how to guides, best-of lists, and…

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In defense of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s polarizing ending

Aerith prays in FInal Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

This article contains spoilers for Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

Midway through 1997’s Final Fantasy VII, Cloud Strife walks up a small staircase and finds his companion, Aerith, kneeling on a small platform. She’s locked in prayer as holy-looking light streaks in through the windows around her. That serene moment gives way to a shocking tragedy. Aerith looks at Cloud and calmly smiles before the camera pans above her head. A black shadow bursts out of the light above her; it’s the villainous Sephiroth, massive sword in tow. Before Cloud can process what’s happening, Sephiroth plunges his sword through Aerith’s back, killing her.

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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:

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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.